The New Zealand Junior White Sox management have released a 30 person squad for the build up to the 2017 WBSC Under 19 Women’s World Championship to be held in Clearwater, Florida next year. 16 players within the squad have been chosen to play in the “Hawaiian Invitational” in Oahu later this year.
“We have deliberately left out a couple of players that were part of the World Championships in Oklahoma 2015. This gives us an excellent opportunity to introduce new players to the international arena. The conditions in Hawaii will be similar to what we will face next year in Florida, going from Winter to a US summer can be quite uncomfortable. Some of the squad members will also be heading to Sydney in July to the Friendship Series” Head Coach Venita Hokai says.
“I’m thrilled to lead another team of rising talent at this year’s Friendship Series” says Emerging Sox Girls Head Coach Carl Tuinenga.
“There are many new talented players that I have observed both at under 19 and under 17 tournaments recently. To bring these players together and get them involved in international softball will be a great experience for them and a tremendous grounding for future endeavours”.
The Developing Sox Girls tour of Australia is in the final stages of completion. The national under 15 side will be the youngest ever to represent New Zealand Softball on the international stage through the recent extension of the player pathway.
The Softball New Zealand President Lyn Lockhart proudly announces the following national teams.
New Zealand Junior White Sox Team – Hawaii Invitational, 18-24 July 2016
Aroha Hibbert, Mikayla Lewin, Otila Tavite, Bailey Robertson, Denva Shaw-Tait (Hutt Valley), Grace Hamilton, Marama Makea, Wanaka Noanoa (Wellington), Essence-Jo Rogers (Counties Manukau), Katelyn Bayer, Meg Glading, Nerissa McDowell (Canterbury), Pearl-Marli Waetford, Nerida Elson (Auckland), Kim-Ann Quinn (Massachusetts, USA), Kelly Renner (California, USA)