White Ferns batsman Katie Perkins has a new title to go by – Constable Katie Perkins.
The 25 year-old will be one of 40 graduates of the Royal New Zealand Police College in Wellington today, having recently completed a strenuous 18 week course in Porirua. That hard work has certainly paid off for her though, coming first in her class in Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Strategy and first overall in Defensive Tactics across all three areas (strategy, driving and weapons).
She will graduate second top in her class overall.
The talented right-hander decided on her path in 2008, after a Police Officer came to her church as a guest speaker. Perkins admits that the job of balancing cricket and study has been tough though and wouldn’t have been achievable without support.
”The reality is that the balance hasn’t really been there the last 18 weeks,” said Perkins.
“Police College was more intense than I expected and left little time for cricket. Luckily I’ve had the support of my coaches Katrina Keenan (White Ferns) and Haidee Tiffen (Auckland Hearts) who have encouraged me to focus on my studies and really helped me get through.
“I’ve still done what I can when I can in terms of playing and managed to attend the White Ferns camp in Lincoln last month which was great. Cricket is my passion, and representing my country is the best feeling. To balance being the best cricketer I can be with the best police officer I can be is my challenge, but one I am ready for.”
Perkins was recently selected in the White Ferns side to tour West Indies in October and is confident that she will be able to make the trip despite her new role.
