Phoebe is a firefighter, army officer and White Fern

THE HEAT'S ON: Donning her firefighting gear on a hot summer’s day was not a problem for talented young cricketer and volunteer firefighter Phoebe Taylor, who even managed to bowl a couple of deliveries (next picture) for the camera. The army is her likely career path but if the door opens to the White Ferns, bat and ball could take priority. Pictures by Paul Rickard

GISBORNE Girls’ High student Phoebe Taylor could face a tough decision when she finishes school this year.

“I joined the Tairawhiti Services Academy when I was 14 and spent a week in the barracks at Linton (military camp) last year on a recruiting course, and loved it,” said Taylor, who is also a volunteer firefighter and member of the Northern Spirit emerging players cricket squad.

“I’d love to do all three, especially play for the White Ferns, but I think I’ll have to make a choice. I can’t see myself being able to manage all three.

“Making the White Ferns has always been a dream of mine and I’m really only two steps away. But if I decide to join the army I could maybe make the NZ Services team, who play against other services teams, sometimes around the world in tournaments.

“The army was always my first choice — either training to be an officer or something to do with firefighting. But Playing for the ND teams and in the new Northern Premier League (for Power) and being in the Spirit’s emerging players squad has me thinking about cricket.

“Playing for the White Ferns would be awesome but if I wanted to pursue that the other two options would have to be put on hold, and I’m not sure about doing that.

“While at Linton, there were lots of physical activities, all hard but fun.”

To be accepted into the army officer training programme, Taylor needs to attain level 3 NCEA in English — a task she see as “no problem”.

“When I was young I wanted to be a policewoman but over the years that’s changed. I’m not quite sure why,” said Taylor, who represented Poverty Bay at all age group levels as a medium pace bowler, and made the ND u15, u18, u21 and Maori teams.

“It’s a big step up playing for the u18s at the national tournament (along with another Gisborne girl Courtney Hayes) and the u21s, but I love the challenge.”

Unfortunately, because of the wet weather in Wellington, ND only played two 50-overs games —one of which was reduced to 30 overs — and one twenty20 game.

ND beat Wellington in the 50-overs clash, with Taylor picking up two wickets and Hayes one, but lost to Central Districts, with Taylor claiming one wicket.

They lost to Central Districts in the T20 match.

“It was a great experience for myself and Courtney.

Taylor became a volunteer rural firefighter last year.

“Because I was involved in the YES (Youth and Emergency Services) programme last year, I developed a real passion for firefighting and that’s what inspired me to join the service as a volunteer.

“We had a lot of fires over the summer but I learned a lot from each. From as long as I can remember I have wanted to be able to serve and help others.”

Her brother Blake suffered two broken hips when he was tackled from behind in a schoolyard incident at the age of 15. He was told he might never walk again..

“Seeing how much help he was given by emergency services made me more determined to have a career serving others,” said Phoebe, who plays alongside Blake and father Greg for Horouta in the Poverty Bay club cricket competition.

“I’ve been playing for Horouta in the men’s competition since I was 13 and played in all three of their Hope Cup wins.

“Playing in the men’s competition definitely helps when I play against women. I don’t expect any special treatment in the men’s games and don’t get any,” she said.

“Playing for Horouta is pretty much like playing for a team of uncles.”