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Current Junior White Sox Assistant Coach, Venita Hokai, has been named as Head Coach of the team for the 2017 Junior Women’s World Championship campaign.
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The position will be familiar to Hokai; she has been involved in the junior programme since 2008 and has had successful campaigns in the past as head coach of the team.Â
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Hokai lead the 2011 side to a 6th place finish at the world championships in South Africa and carried that performance through to an impressive 4th place at the 2013 competition in Canada.
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The first stage of Hokai’s appointment will include discussing the handover from this year’s team with current head coach, Kevin Gettins, and manager, Aroha Metcalf – both of whom she has worked closely with since 2008.
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“I do have my own thoughts going forward, different to what we have done in the past. Currently there is a squad of around 40 players in placeâ€, says Hokai.
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“In the past we have had traditions, beliefs and strong values which have set the culture of the Junior White Sox. We want to make sure everyone understands the expectations.â€
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Hokai believes it is important to develop the correct infrastructure of the programme from the beginning – “we have a lot of work to do going forward.â€
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Testing for a Hawkes Bay-based camp in September will begin around mid-August, which will include selected players eligible for the 2017 competition.
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Cheers, Glen
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Softball Manager, Softball New Zealand
M: 021537082 IÂ DDI: 04 5600389
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  New Zealand Black Sox World Champions: 76, 84, 96, 00, 04, 13
   New Zealand White Sox World Champions: 82
  New Zealand Junior Black Sox World Champions: 85, 89
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