ALL-ROUNDER - Pinia shows she's natural at sports

A lot of deaf children have problems with balance, but Pinia doesn't and wants to
have a go at any sport going. - Rose Lazarus-Spicer Pinia's motherFacing challenges head-on is what Te Hapua's Pinia Lazarus-Spicer and "Molly" do best.
At 1-month-old, Pinia was diagnosed as profoundly deaf. From an early age, she has used a hearing-aid, which her family nicknamed Molly.
"It was a word Pinia could say clearly at an early age, plus we knew it was something that was going to be with her forever, so we gave the hearing-aid a name," Pinia's mother, Rose Lazarus-Spicer, said.
The hearing-aid and pure determination enabled Pinia to embrace the sporting world.
Nothing was a bother for the 14-year-old who loves all sports. She is learning how to surf at present.
"A lot of deaf children have problems with balance, but Pinia doesn't and wants to have a go at any sport going," Lazarus-Spicer said.
Soccer was on the agenda for this winter but Pinia also enjoys touch, netball, rugby and other ball sports - and recently travelled to Auckland to take part in her first competitive athletics meet.
The Deaf Athletics Day was staged at the Douglas Track and Field Stadium in Waitakere, and more than 300 children took part in various disciplines.
Having only ever put the shot and flung the discus around home and during PE classes at the Abundant Life School she attends in Kaitaia, Pinia demonstrated her natural sporting flare by claiming third in both disciplines, as well as in long jump.
She also gained a second place in the 100m sprint.
While in Auckland, Pinia visited the Kelston Deaf Unit at Kelston Girls' High, where she is planning to attend Years 12 and 13, because it would be advantageous academically and for her sporting ambitions.
"She has plans, this girl," Pinia's mother said.
One of those plans included making the 2012 Paralympic athletics team.
"I won't be surprised if she goes to the Olympics - she's always been like that, sets a goal and goes for it," Lazarus-Spicer said.