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Amelia Kerr: World Record holder New Zealand cricketer secret to success “Do what you love”

Amelia Charlotte Kerr is a New Zealand cricketer who currently plays for Wellington and New Zealand. On 13 June 2018, Kerr made the highest individual score in a WODI match, and became the youngest cricketer, male or female, to score a double century in One Day International cricket, when she scored 232 not out against Ireland. The double century was also the third-highest individual score, male or female, in an ODI, second-highest by a New Zealander and highest in a Women’s ODI. Later in the same match, she also took 5 wickets for 17 runs, her first five-wicket haul in WODIs

In August 2018, she was awarded a central contract by New Zealand Cricket, following the tours of Ireland and England in the previous months. In October 2018, she was named in New Zealand’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies. Ahead of the tournament, she was named as the player to watch in the team.

In March 2019, she was named as the ANZ International Women’s ODI Player of the Year at the annual New Zealand Cricket awards. In January 2020, she was named in New Zealand’s squad for the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia. In February 2022, she was named in New Zealand’s team for the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

In April 2022, she was bought by the London Spirit for the 2022 season of The Hundred. In June 2022, Kerr was named in New Zealand’s team for the cricket tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. Representing New Zealand in Women’s Cricket Commonwealth Games she won Bronze medal at Birmingham.

In cross-sport collaboration, NZ bronze winning Cricketer Amelia Kerr is launching her passion project, Treading Water tomorrow in partnership with youth mental health charity I Am Hope. Amelia project is a vulnerable and honest tale of her mental health journey, which sees other NZ athletes do the same in a bid to help others struggling with the same issues know that they are not alone, and help is around the corner.

Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up Amelia Kerr an exceptionally talented, leading New Zealand cricketer, here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, her hair care, skin care, her battles with depression & anxiety and, her success story.

Namita Nayyar:

You were born in Wellington, New Zealand. Cricket is in your blood. Your grandfather, Bruce Murray, played Test cricket for New Zealand. Your mother Jo and father Robbie both played cricket at the domestic level representing Wellington. Your sister Jess has been named in New Zealand’s national cricket squad against South Africa women. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world of women’s cricket setting the record for the highest women’s ODI score with 232 runs. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance.

Amelia Kerr:

I grew up playing plenty of sports with close friends and family and was always active as a kid. I picked up cricket at the age of 6 and played boys cricket right throughout school. When I was nine I set a goal which was to be a white fern. I have been fortunate enough to represent my country and other teams around the world. My support network has got me to where I am today. I love what I do which makes working hard for easier because I genuinely enjoy the challenge and want to get better each day so I can be the best I can be. I believe hard work is what gets you places so I want to be the hardest worker so I can give myself the best chance to succeed.

Namita Nayyar:

It is a dream for a young cricketer to achieve what you did at a very early age. On 13 June 2018, you made the highest individual score in a WODI match, and became the youngest cricketer, male or female, to score a double century in One Day International cricket, when you scored 232 not out against Ireland. The double century was also the third-highest individual score, male or female, in an ODI, second-highest by a New Zealander, and highest in a Women’s ODI. Later in the same match, you also took 5 wickets for 17 runs, your first five-wicket haul in WODIs. Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours.

Amelia Kerr:

It’s not something that ever really crosses your mind. I had no idea about the record or anything to do with statistics. I got the opportunity that day to open the batting and wanted to make the most of that opportunity. It was a very special day but not something I think about too much.
When I was batting I wasn’t thinking too much it was just see the ball, hit the ball and I had some great partnerships that day with other batters. I didn’t think I was going to bowl that day as I was shattered after batting but then I got to roll the arm over and fortunately picked up some wickets. It was a day where things just seemed to fall into place. I am sure one day I will look back on it more but that might be in 40 years’ time.

Full Interview is Continued on Next Page

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Namita Nayyar:

You are the world-leading women cricketer, social media personality, and philanthropist working for the cause of helping with mental health issues. How do you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?

Amelia Kerr:

The thing for me is it doesn’t seem like work because I love what I do. I love working hard and I love training. I want to be myself and for people to get to know me away from cricket as I am a person first and a cricketer second. Mental health is my passion after seeing family and friends suffer as well as me facing the battles of depression and anxiety. I am passionate and love what I do so balancing it all isn’t an issue and I believe having balance in your life is extremely important.

Namita Nayyar:

You were part of the team when the New Zealand cricket women’s team who clinched the bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston after registering a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over hosts England. Tell us more about this milestone in your cricketing career.

Amelia Kerr:

To represent team New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games was extremely special. To be a part of a bigger team meant so much and to win a bronze medal was incredible. The White Ferns have been through change and hardship, and we have struggled in recent world events.

To get across the line meant so much considering the journey we have been on as a team. As a young player I am so pleased we could do something special for our country and the likes of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates who have been representing the White Ferns for a long time and who have given so much to the game.

Namita Nayyar:

Elaborate on your cricketing journey when in August 2018, you were awarded a central contract by New Zealand Cricket, following the tours of Ireland and England in the previous months. In October 2018, you were named to New Zealand’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty 20 tournament in the West Indies. Ahead of the tournament, you were named as the player to watch in the team. In March 2019, you were named the ANZ International Women’s ODI Player of the Year at the annual New Zealand Cricket awards. How these achievements have helped you in the meteoric rise on the World Women cricketing platform?

Amelia Kerr:

Again my mind-set is I am doing what I love. I want to work hard and get the best out of myself. The accolades, selections etc. come but I don’t read into it too much as I know how fickle the game of cricket is and being a professional athlete.

I am grateful for all the opportunities and support I have had along the way. It has been an amazing start to my international career, and I have loved it all and embraced it all. The good and the bad. I hope that I have a long career ahead of me and keep growing and learning both on and off the field.

Namita Nayyar:

On October 4th, 2022, in cross-sport collaboration, you launched your passion project, Treading Water tomorrow in partnership with youth mental health charity I Am Hope. This project is a vulnerable and honest tale of your mental health journey, which sees other NZ athletes do the same in a bid to help others struggling with the same issues know that they are not alone, and help is around the corner. Along with filmmaker Hamish Johns, this project sees you interview seven people about their harrowing mental health journeys. Tell us about this endeavour of yours of giving back to society.

Amelia Kerr:

In 2020 I faced my own battles with depression and anxiety. In 2021 I reached a crisis point and couldn’t see any light. My family saved my life and my family gave me hope when I lost it all. Having hope is so important. I have seen family and friends struggle around me. Throughout school and after school my community was surrounded with suicide. That broke me.

Once I had come out the other side of my mental illness battles all I wanted to do was help other people. I know how alone you feel. How invisible and scary it can be. Mental health affects us all and we need to normalise the conversation and we need to ask for help.

Everyone has a different story and that is why I wanted to speak to a range of different people so there are more stories out there that people can relate to so they know they are not alone and most importantly that there is hope and the world is better off with you here! We need to be kind and empathetic towards each other and ourselves.

So from me please keep looking after each other. Watch these videos because every story is inspiring and strong and offers so much insight. I wish I could have seen these videos when I was struggling. I love what I am Hope stands for, so I feel very fortunate to have had this partnership with them.

Namita Nayyar:

You have studied at Tawa Intermediate, where you became a teacher aide for autistic students. Tell us more about this part of your life and experience working with such special children.

Amelia Kerr:

Being a teacher aide at Tawa Intermediate provided me with so much perspective. All the kids I worked with were incredible and I absolutely loved that I had the chance to make a difference in their lives. Sometimes I think we forget the impact we can have on other people.

For me all I want to do is help someone have a better life and be happier. It doesn’t matter who. Being a teacher aide allowed me to help others. Help young kids who didn’t have it all, kids who struggled and that are how I wanted to give back to my community who have given so much to me.

Namita Nayyar:

What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?

Amelia Kerr:

If I have a winter training block I am able to train more for cricket and physically as well. When playing and touring the focus is more preparing yourself for the games ahead and you have more rest days as your body needs to be fresh for games.

Namita Nayyar:

Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Amelia Kerr:

Not really. I don’t follow a strict plan. I like to be healthy and eat foods that are good for me because they make me feel better. It is more about eating enough food in and around trainings so I am fuelled and can recover well. It has probably been a work on for me in not being so strict with my eating and finding a healthy balance.

When my mental health was bad one of my first warning signs was feeling guilty about the food I was eating and therefore trying to control my diet. I have now found a healthy balance which is still a work on for me today but most importantly it’s about having enough food so I can train at my best.

Namita Nayyar:

Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.

Amelia Kerr:

Foods I love. Peanut butter, sushi, smoothie, bao buns, two raw sisters salads and there protein pancakes.

Food I try to avoid – dairy products, doesn’t always sit well with me.

Namita Nayyar:

You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine.

Amelia Kerr:

My aunty is a beauty therapist and has her own clinic, so she has always said from a young age to wash my face morning and night. She said it is even more important with sweating and playing a summer sport where you put on sunblock and have helmet sweat. I have now consistently got into a routine morning and night where I wash my face with her products.

I don’t do anything to my hair and never have. One of my best mates is a hairdresser so I use the shampoo and conditioner that she suggests. Otherwise I am pretty slack as most of the time I am in a helmet or hat with cricket.

Namita Nayyar:

Five travel destinations on your wish list.

Amelia Kerr:

Japan. Italy. Croatia. Thailand and Canada.

Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about your website https://outoftherough.nz/ and the message for its visitors?

Amelia Kerr:

If you get the opportunity, please go have a look at the website www.outoftherough.nz. It is so important as people and as women to keep looking out for each other.

Namita Nayyar:

You have an Instagram following of 72.3K followers. A message for your ardent admirers.

Amelia Kerr:

Thank you all for your love, support and kindness. I always appreciate it. I hope you all can enjoy the hard work that has gone into “Treading Water”. This project of mine is something that is extremely important to me, and I am so excited to share it with you all. I can’t wait for you to all come on the journey with me through this series. Make sure to check out my website to keep updated.

Amelia Kerr Social Media Presence

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/meliekerrr/
Twitter https://twitter.com/meliekerr10
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MelieKerr
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/melie-kerr-nz/

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