Police patrol puppies in Wellington have been named after three women’s sports teams to help shine light on women’s sport.
Pulse, Phoenix and Poua were named after Central Pulse Netball, Women’s Phoenix Netball and Hurricanes Poua teams.
The idea was police dog trainer Sergeant Matt Fage’s who wanted to acknowledge the local women’s sport teams.
“I think the teams were quite chuffed to be part of this and have a dog named after them,” said Fage.
The teams were invited to meet the puppies with Pulse centre-court player Whitney Souness saying it was a “cool experience” to see the training the young dog recruits do.
“Since I absolutely love dogs, I felt very much in my element. Having one of the puppies named after our team is something really special to us.”
In the past, dogs have been named after All Blacks, a rugby Black Fern and Poua vice-captain but this was a first for these woman’s teams.
Phoenix women’s captain Annalie Longo said: “My dog Tiger thinks it’s a great idea as long as she remains the club’s unofficial mascot!”
Hurricanes Poua player Kahurangi Sturmey, whose father was a police officer, thanked the police on behalf of her team. “It’s a real honour.”.
The “P” litter puppies were born 12 weeks ago at the Dog Training Centre in Upper Hutt and would be fostered throughout New Zealand to learn social skills before training in the New Zealand Police Foster Dog Programme.