Her Moves: Lua Spencer's Story

We sat down with Lua Spencer this week to ask her a few questions about her relationship with sport and activity. Lua is a 17-year-old girl from Killester, Dublin who plays both Hockey and Rugby and is the oldest of four sisters!

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How did you first get involved in your sport?

My parents have always encouraged me to play sports. I started off with ballet, swimming and GAA and as I grew up I found new sports such as hockey and rugby. I play hockey in school and with a club, and this year I had the privilege of training with the Metro Leinster Rugby under-18 squad and my Clontarf rugby team.

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How has sport and physical activity impacted your life?

It has had major positive impacts on my mental health. It was always an outlet for me and I have also made some great friends through sport.

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What does your school do to encourage an active environment?

Our sports department, coaches, and PE teachers are all incredible. Everyone is supported to do their best and enjoy themselves. Sportsmanship and team effort is a big deal for my school and my teams. Effort and commitment are valued, and outcomes are not as important as development. We also have great fun! Travelling to games, training together, and the relationship we have with the teachers is just fantastic. The effort by the teachers and coaches to build relationships with the team and the students makes my school a very special place. There is also a strong link between the school and Clontarf Hockey and Clontarf Rugby.

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Who has been your most influential coach and why?

There is not one coach I can pick, as they all have influenced me in different ways. I would find it really hard to pick one, Some coaches who have really helped me are Rob Abbot, Robert Forest, Caoimhe Morris, Stephen Scanlan, and Chris Steele.

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Have you noticed other girls your age stepping away from sport? If so, how does that make you feel?

I have seen a lot of girls step away from sports and it’s disappointing to think that they can’t see a future with sport. I really hope that this can change or that girls can find something else that suits them and keeps them active.

What’s your advice to someone thinking about dropping out of sport?

Please don't quit! A lot of my friends who quit are now too scared to come back and try again. They all wish they had kept it up.

Is there any advice you have for parents trying to support their daughter participating in sport?

Don't let your daughter stop being active or playing sport. Don't give up on sport. Girls need sports, and sports definitely need more girls taking part!

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What would you say to a girl thinking of starting a new activity or sport?

‍Do it!! No matter your experience, the more you worry and think about it, the longer you wait and the harder it is to start. Just give it a go - what's the worst that can happen?

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Who is your female sporting role model?

Caoimhe and Cara, the coaches in my rugby club, and Anna the goalkeeper in Clontarf Hockey Club. All of them have encouraged me to do better as a player and as a person, and I hope I can live up to their example.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself?

I got in trouble with my mam because I was supposed to be resting an injury. I told her that I was going to help at training, but on a club Instagram post, she saw me running and catching a ball!

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A SPECIAL THANKS TO LUA FOR TELLING HER MOVES ALL ABOUT HER STORY. IF YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY TO TELL, PLEASE LET US KNOW. YOU CAN MESSAGE US ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK OR TWITTER!

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#FINDSOMETHINGTHATMOVESYOU

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©️ Photography - Max Fulham (@fulham_photography)

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