By ALANAH MAY ERIKSEN
Waimariea Sullivan hadn't heard of Maori All Black Tanerau Latimer before yesterday but now she thinks he's "choice".
The 12-year-old from Opotiki's Ashbrook Primary School was one of the young leaders from around the region hand picked to attend Glenholme Primary School's Young Leaders'
Forum.
"He plays in all these teams which is really cool, we can look up to him," Waimariea said.
The theme for the day was sports and top level athletes including Latimer, Junior All Black Tom Donnelly and New Zealand road cycling and mountainbiking representative Carissa Wilkes shared their journeys to success with the students.
Rotorua high school students who represent New Zealand in various sports also spoke to the pupils.
Latimer, 20, who has played for the New Zealand Sevens team, the Crusaders, the Bay of Plenty Steamers and has just been selected for the Chiefs Super 14 team, said the forum was a great way to motivate the students.
"Anything to help kids.
"When you're a kid you always looked up to the guys you saw on TV and wondered how they got to where they are." He said drugs were a huge issue facing New Zealand children today and sports and extra-curricular activities were a great way to keep them on the "straight and narrow".
"I guess it comes through parents. If parents aren't raising their kids right than you're going to get into the wrong crowd.
"My mum had me swimming after school and going to rugby practice, it was great to keep me motivated."
Glenholme principal Diane Manners and teacher Sheree James had taken some of her pupils to a young leaders' forum in Auckland five years ago and decided to have one of their own.
"We thought we could create something locally, more personal. The children get to interact with the speakers afterwards," Ms Manners said.
"And they're getting the message about setting goals and achieving their dreams.
"It's about putting talented people in front of them."
She said they tried to use speakers from around the Bay of Plenty so the messages were more close to home.
Latimer grew up in Te Puke and attended Tauranga Boys' College.
Last year's theme for the forum was media personalities.
