Young Manakau cricketer to join White Ferns for pro-training

Sapeer Mayron Reporter from Manukau Courier

Kia ora neighbours,

A 12-year-old Manakau local will be training alongside the White Ferns this year after being named one of ANZ Next XI.

The team is an exclusive pick of 11 young cricket players who will get to train alongside the White Ferns at a junior training academy and attend master classes in cricket.

Niamh Falanitule, a Howick Pakuranga Cricket Club player, said she couldn’t stop smiling when she got the news, and a brand new set of training uniform, bat, helmet and pads to play with.

Falanitule said while she is too young to play for her school’s hardball team, she looks up to the players on the team and can’t wait to join.

“I played against one of the girls and she was really good - so fast and tall. She’s another Pacific Islander (like me) - which isn’t common in cricket,” she said. More Pasifika girls should play cricket, Falanitule believes.

“Give it a go! There are so many different skills, you might not be the best bowler but you can bat or wicket keep or be a great fielder, with cricket, you get a lot of different skills to try. It’s all about sportsmanship, if you have a bad turn with the bat you know your teammates can pull through.”

ANZ New Zealand CEO Antonia Watson said she believes in providing role models for young women.

“We’re proud to be able to offer these passionate young sportswomen this opportunity to meet and train with their heroes. I’m a firm believer that if you can see it, you can be it.”

We’re proud to be putting our full support behind the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our athletes to the world and provide important opportunities to grow the next generation of cricketers.”