Constable Perkins ready to bowl ’em over
White Ferns cricketer Katie Perkins has begun a new innings.
Perkins was one of 40 trainees of Wing 278 to graduate from the Royal New Zealand Police College in Papakowhai last Thursday.
The New Zealand women’s cricket team has a busy summer ahead, but Perkins will have other things on her mind before that.
She said she always felt she had a heart for helping others and thought the New Zealand Police would be a place she could make a positive impact on society.
While Perkins aced her physical training and defensive tactics strategy parts of the course, placing first in her class for both, the academic work proved difficult.
‘‘The academic course work about law was the hardest, because I don’t have a background in that,’’ she said.
‘‘But in saying that, what you are learning about is what you love, which makes it easier.’’
It was fitting in her sports commitments around course work that proved most difficult, but she was able to attend the White Ferns training camp in Lincoln last month.
It is a juggling act she will need to get used to.
‘‘I came into policing knowing that there have been sports people who have successfully combined the two jobs,’’ said Perkins, 25.
‘‘I left my old job because it didn’t allow much time for cricket, but the police say they are supportive of international sports representatives.
‘‘That’s good because I want to excel in both careers.’’
When asked which one she would pick if it came down to it, she reluctantly sided with the police.
‘‘ It would be a really tough decision – cricket is my passion. But I’m confident the balance will work out because everyone is very supportive.’’
Aucklander Perkins has played 27 matches for New Zealand since making her international debut in January 2012. She has been chosen for the White Ferns team that will tour the West Indies in October.
Perkins has discovered that the New Zealand Police does not have a women’s cricket team.
‘‘I guess I’ll have to bat in the men’s team. That’ll shake things up and cause some real controversy!’’