New Zealand: Rapid switch for all-rounder (7 October 1998)

7 October 1998

New Zealand: Rapid switch for all-rounder

by Geoff Longley

Hannah Rae: from netball midcourter to in-swing bowler. Sporting all-rounder Hannah Rae had only a day to switch from one season to another, moving from representative netball to senior club cricket.

The St Margaret's College Year 12 (Form 6) student was a member of the Canterbury under-19 netball team that finished third at the national tournament in Tauranga last week.

Then on Saturday she stepped out for St Albans Gold in the first round of the WestpacTrust Cup one-day competition bowling her medium-pace in-swingers.

Her bowling impressed last season, winning her selection in the Canterbury under-17 and under-23 teams.

During the off-season she was included in the Canterbury women's first XI training squad and a New Zealand Emerging Players squad for camps at New Zealand Cricket's High Performance Centre at Lincoln University.

"It's been amazing out there working with the likes of Ashley Ross and Mike Shrimpton. I've learnt heaps; there is so much information. It's a matter now of putting those things into practice."

Rae, who turns 17 next week, began playing at senior level part-way through last season after playing through the lower grades with St Albans.

"It was a big jump, and bowling to some of the top Canterbury players is a tough challenge."

Rae has responded well and hopes to progress in the game, although it means athletics, in which she also dabbles, has been put on hold.

In the winter, apart from being a talented netballer at either centre or wing-attack, Rae plays basketball and made the Canterbury under-18 team for a regional tournament.

Because of her netball commitments she was unavailable for that basketball team when it went to the national tournament. "It's quite hard juggling things around but I try to fit in as much as I can."

She is also mindful that her schoolwork could suffer if focused entirely on sport, so she intends putting some time in this week during the holidays to catch up.

Rae's love of sport is fostered by an enthusiastic sporting family. She has two brothers and two sisters, with many a backyard battle having been played in the family's Bryndwr home.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)