Wall refuses to stay on sideline

The Herald has selected five talented young people as the Knowledge Wave Trust's emerging leaders*. Today we profile Louisa Wall.

By GREGG WYCHERLEY

When double international athlete Louisa Wall wrecked her knee for the second time, she knew it was time to give her body a break from rugby and netball.

She had to find a new outlet for seemingly boundless energy.

The 30-year-old former Silver Fern and Black Fern has an envy-inspiring curriculum vitae that seems impossibly varied for someone so young.

She reached the top in netball and rugby, playing for the Silver Ferns between 1989 and 1992, then the Black Ferns from 1994 to 1999, including being part of the World Champion team in 1998.

It is typical of Wall that she has turned a career-ending knee injury in March into an opportunity to excel at giving her time and formidable energy to a wide range of community groups.

"After this one, re-snapping my knee, I think I've got the message, finally, that it's time to move on in life," she said.

"I've basically replaced all the hours of training that I was doing with my sport with these other pursuits."

Wall completed her masters degree in philosophy this year and works for the Health Research Council as Maori health research manager.

In November she was appointed to Te Roopu Manawa mai, an external body that advises the Accident Compensation Commission on Maori issues.

Two months earlier, she was appointed a Land Transport Safety Authority board member.

She ran for Parliament during the last election and although, at number 49, she did not scrape through on the Labour list she won't be afraid to try again.

"You see opportunities in life and that's what life is about, recognising and creating your own opportunities."

Wall repeats her words to school pupils as part of her community work helping at-risk youth to make the most of their education.

"If I'm going to go out and talk to young people about being pro-active, and recognising and creating opportunities for themselves, then I've got to walk that talk.

"That's the psychology that I have, and that's really what drives me."

Although modest about her achievements, Wall has worked hard to get over what she believes is a New Zealand propensity to shy away from the spotlight of success.

"You should be proud that there's a moment in time when people can appreciate and reflect and evaluate what you've done and praise you," she said.

"We have to be more proactive in promoting excellence, right across society."

* The Herald has selected five talented young people as the Knowledge Wave Trust's emerging leaders.

The group will attend a conference, Knowledge Wave 2003 - The Leadership Forum, in Auckland from February 19 to 21, at which a panel of leading speakers will examine the issues and opportunities facing New Zealand.

This week we profile the delegates, chosen from many nominated by Herald readers. They will be among 50 promising young New Zealanders, selected by 20 newspapers, at the forum.