The Bay of Plenty cricketer earned selection in the ND Women’s Under 19 and ND Women’s A teams, in the 2022/23 season, at just sixteen years of age. Brittany has become a regular fixture in both sides, principally as a right-hand medium pacer who is also handy with the bat.

 

Where were you born and what schools did you attended? 

I was born in Tauranga, I did my primary school years at Selwyn Ridge Primary, then moved on to Tauranga Intermediate and finally finished my last years of school at Mount Maunganui College. 

 

What and where are you studying since leaving school?

Since leaving school, I’m studying a Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance at the University of Waikato. 

 

How did you get into cricket as a youngster?

As a youngster I got into cricket through trying out Go Girls cricket at primary school and then playing a lot of backyard cricket with my dad.

 

Tell us about your junior and senior pathway that has led to being selected in ND teams?

My junior pathway started with playing hard ball cricket for my primary school and then moving on Tauranga Intermediate in their girls program. From there I followed the coach out to Papamoa Cricket Club, where after two seasons I moved to Otumoetai Cadets Cricket Club and from there I made ND U19s and ND A women. My senior pathway playing out at Te Puke Cricket Club, have led me to being selected in the ND A women’s team for the majority of the full season.

 

It will surprise many to learn that you come from a family with a huge boxing background - tell us about your family involvement in amateur boxing?

Yes, it might surprise a lot of people that my family has a huge boxing background. My family run a few boxing tournaments in the North Island and have been involved in the sport for many years. My grandad has his own boxing gym and most of my family has either been boxers or involved in running tournaments. My dad was also an amateur boxer alongside a several of my uncles and cousins. 

 

Was there any thought of boxing instead of cricket?

Growing up watching boxing from the age of 3 years old, and having a family heavily involved in boxing there were always thoughts of boxing. Even to this day, but I don't think it would have been instead of cricket because both sports hold a special part in my life. 

 

What led to you becoming a pace bowler who can bat as a second string to your bow?

There were a couple things that led me to wanting to become a pace bowler, one of them was watching New Zealand pace bowlers like Trent Boult, Lea Tuhuhu and Tim Southee on TV or live. The other one was that as a little kid I had a love for pace bowling from first picking up a ball, I wasn't very good, but that's what drove me to becoming a pace bowler.

 

Who have had the greatest influence on your cricket career to date?

There have been three people that I can think of who have had the greatest influence on my cricket career. The first one being my dad, because without him I wouldn't have even thought of cricket. The second person Is Brett Williamson, who helped to get me up to the skill level where I was getting selected for ND teams and still gives me advice to this day.  Lastly my old talent and pathway coach Keegan, probably had the biggest influence my cricket, as he helped me push up into higher honors, this season just gone. 

 

What are your best ND bowling figures and have you captured the wicket of any high profile players?

My best bowling figures were 5/10 off 7 overs at the 2023/24 national U19s tournament, against Wellington. I'm yet to capture any wickets of high profile players but hopefully in this coming season there will be a few. 

 

What was your motivation to play for Te Puke Senior Reserve Grade side (when available) last season?

My motivation to play for the Te Puke Senior Reserve grade team was that I was looking for more of a challenge in my cricket, and heard that Te Puke Cricket Club had a great culture amongst their players, and would be a good fit for my cricket going forward. 

 

How were you accepted by opposition players?

The opposition players were a bit surprised to see a female playing in an all mens grade at the start, but once they found out that I was capable of playing at their level, they were very accepting.  

 

What are your goals for the 2025/26 cricket season? 

My goals for the 2025/26 season, would to hopefully make my debut for the Brave women's team, and keep pushing myself in the highest level of cricket that I play. 

 

Where do you see Brittany Jenkins in five years time?

Where I see myself in 5 years, will hopefully be playing some form of New Zealand cricket, whether that is NZ A or for the White Ferns, but ultimately still playing cricket and enjoying it.