Les Elder, New Zealand Rugby Player, talks about her role as a Sport New Zealand Balance is Better Champion…

“Wearing the Black Jersey is a tremendous honour but it also comes with a level of exciting responsibility, an opportunity to have a positive influence on those we interact with… directly and indirectly.   

“I’m really passionate about contributing to growing good people, better people make better communities.  Sport is the vehicle for which I strive to achieve that.  Through this program and in my role as Women’s Rugby Development Manager at Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, we talk about being more than just a sportsperson or an athlete, we talk about the life skills that are learnt through playing sport: teamwork, confidence, resilience, the list goes on.  I want to encourage young people to play sport and families to understand the value of sport for them and their communities. 

“Obviously Rugby is my focus, but growing up I played all sports. Even at University I was playing Rugby and Netball in the winter, Touch in the summer, and Squash socially.” 

Lesley Elder is a member of the New Zealand Black Ferns women’s rugby team.  In 2017 the Black Ferns won the World Cup for the fifth time and were named World Rugby’s team of the year. Les was also contracted to the Black Ferns Sevens team. 

Les is the Women’s Rugby Development Officer for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union. 

Lesley Elder (nee Ketu) is of Tuwharetoa and Ngati Maniopoto descent.