The journey of White Fern Jess Watkin struck a chord with both girls and boys when she talked at both Whanganui Girls College and Cullinane College on Tuesday.
As part of her payback to her mentors at Cricket Whanganui, Watkin gave brief presentations at both colleges in the hope of inspiring teenagers to join a sport that has given her a career.
Watkin gave a verbal presentation of her debut for the White Ferns on the Northern Hemisphere Tour of Ireland and England, a tour that included a tri series with England and South Africa. She backed her presentation with video of some of her best moments with and and ball.
"Coming from a small town it is possible to get on the big stage and that's what happened to me," Watkin told students.
"Over the years I have been told by many that I need to move to Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch if I am to get ahead in the game, but I am living proof you can make it from Whanganui. The women's game has grown so much in recent years and I have now got a contract with Cricket New Zealand, it is my job to play cricket.
