TASTE OF SPORTING FUTURE
KATE Heffernan has packed more into the past two months than most 18yearolds.
The leftarm bowler made her White Ferns debut six weeks ago.
She then quickly switched her bowling boots for a netball bib and played for the Southern Steel at the ANZ Premiership preseason tournament last weekend.
She is not in the White Ferns squad to head the United Kingdom on its winter tour as her initial inclusion was more of a taster.
Likewise her involvement with the Steel was just for the preseason as a training partner.
But she will play for the South Beko League team and has a chance of being called up during the Steel’s premiership season.
Still, that is not bad for someone who left St Hilda’s Collegiate only six months ago.
‘‘I did not expect to be playing for the White Ferns,’’ Heffernan said.
‘‘When I got the phone call I was thinking maybe [I could make it in] two years, so that was a surprise.
‘‘Even the Steel stuff — I was aiming for the Beko League, but training with the Steel was something I didn’t really think I’d get the chance to do for a year or so.
‘‘That was pretty awesome.’’
It had been a hectic time, although she had enjoyed the experiences.
In her White Ferns debut — a twenty20 against the West Indies — Heffernan took a wicket, courtesy of a tip from fellow Otago player Suzie Bates.
Meanwhile, she had learnt plenty in her time with the Steel.
The game was a lot faster and more physical than the Beko League, the highest level she had previously played.
However, she was improving and felt her last game, against the Northern Stars, was her best.
Around that she is fitting in an applied science degree at the Otago Polytechnic.
She is doing that with her twin sister, Georgia, who is also a Steel training partner and has played cricket for the Otago Sparks.
It made for a busy life, made difficult when the Steel preseason began in the middle of cricket season.
However, she was coping with it and the sports supported her playing both.
Heffernan possesses physical attributes which set her apart from others in both sports.
As a leftarm bowler, she can deliver the ball at a different angle from the majority of bowlers.
In the midcourt, her height and long arms give her weapons others do not have.
She is unsure which sport she would choose if she had to focus on just one.
‘‘I love them both and they’re so different, so I don’t really have a favourite.
‘‘I love cricket when I play cricket; I love netball when I play netball.
‘‘So I think they both make me enjoy the other one more, getting away and doing something else.
‘‘I don’t really have a favourite. I’m happy doing both, but I don’t know what I’d pick if I had to make a decision.’’