Being a physio can get quite boring

It might seem a bit unusual in this part of the world,but a female physiotherapist doesnt quite raise eyebrows in the...

It might seem a bit unusual in this part of the world,but a female physiotherapist doesnt quite raise eyebrows in the New Zealand dressing room. For a nation that was first in the world to give women the right to vote,and a few years back had an all-female assembly,holding the highest offices in the country simultaneously,gender bias isnt quite an issue.

One year since the South African-born physio moved to New Zealand from Derbyshire,Kate Stalker feels more like one of the boys than the odd one out when the Black Caps hit the training ground. A friend told me that the New Zealand board was looking for a physio,so I applied and was picked, the 32-year-old says. The New Zealand board later asked her to stay on till the 2011 World Cup.

Moving from England to New Zealand wasnt tough,but her real test came during the Twenty20 World Cup when,she says,virtually the entire team was injured. Its not a problem to look after a few players at a time,but when 16 are injured,it really keeps me on my toes. The body is not like a machine,it takes time to heal. But that is how my profession is, she says.

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Those endless hours with the players translated into her winning their confidence. Physios are always back-room people. Its not an easy job. Being a physio is fun,but sometimes very boring. Long tours take their toll as well. When you are in a place such as Sri Lanka,you are advised not to move around due to security concerns. One does get lonely.

During a practice match at the SSC ground,as Kate runs on the field with a first-aid box,the locals look at her quizzically. But Kate isnt bothered by the stares. In fact,she says her friends back home are quite jealous. Im around so many good looking guys all the time.