New Zealand juniors ready to take on the best
June 28, 2006
Sydney, Australia
New Zealand Under 19 Men’s Development Team Australian Tour
Sydney, Australia
June 29th – July 11th
New Zealand juniors ready to take on the best
Wednesday July 28th 2006
It will be a case of softball overload for the New Zealand Junior Men’sDevelopment team as they undertake a 12 day tour of Australia and theprospect of 18 games.
During the tour the team will have a number of warm up games ahead of theFriendship Series where the Kiwi team will be taking on nationalselection and provincial teams. Following that the New Zealanders willthen play an Australian under 17 team in a seven game series.
The tour will be a real test for the New Zealand junior team as theAustralians have a world class development programme in place which isreflected in the fact that they are the current Junior Men’s WorldChampions.
New Zealand coach Paul Stockford agrees the tour will be a tough work outfor his squad but will prove to be a valuable learning experience aheadof the 2008 World Championships.
“The tour will be a good chance to see where we are at and what we havegot. It will also be good to see how we compare to another internationalcountry and it will give the guys and opportunity to show us (thecoaching staff) what they can do at the next level,” said Stockford.
Going into the tour Stockford says he would like to see his team competewell and regarding results he wants to see his team in contention for theFriendship Series title on the final day as well as winning test seriesagainst Australia.
“There is going to be no shortage of softball to play 18 games in 10 or11 days will be a big ask for our boys but it will give them plenty ofopportunities. The key to the tour for us is finding out about the boysin the squad. And there is nothing like putting a bit of pressure on tosee how they respond in that environment.”
For the majority of the players in the touring squad the trip toAustralia will be their first chance at international softball. Stockfordbelieves there will be a lot of emotion and excitement for the players inrepresenting the country and their sport on the softball diamond.
The New Zealand team fly out for Australia tomorrow and will be based inSydney playing at the Blacktown Softball Centre the same venue used forthe softball at the 2000 Olympics.
NEW ZEALAND UNDER 19 MEN’S DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Pitcher: Tamihana Hokianga Hawkes Bay, James Pointon Wellington,David Mackenzie Auckland, Jovaan Hanley Hawkes Bay, Sam BishopWellington, Jamie Love Auckland
Catcher: Campbell MakeaHawkes Bay, Matthew BaxterCanterbury
Infield: Patrick Langlois Auckland, Pip (PJ) Bennion Wellington,Joel Evans Hutt Valley, Kyle Beaudean Canterbury, Joshua CookeAuckland
Outfield: Te Rangi Chadwick Hawkes Bay, Billy Joe Kennedy HawkesBay, Bronson Marino Hutt Valley, Ben Enoka Auckland
Coach: Paul Stockford Hutt Valley
Assistant Coach: Dion Nukunuku Auckland
Manager: Mark Carter Hawkes Bay
Scorer: Ronnie Gurney North Harbour
Umpire: Dave Beaumont Canterbury
Friendship Series Draw
Sunday July 2nd
3.00pm New Zealand v Australia Gold
5.00pm New Zealand v New South Wales Country
Monday July 3rd
11.00am New Zealand v Australia Green
1.00pm New Zealand v Titans
Tuesday July 4th
11.00am New Zealand v New South Wales Metro
1.00pm New Zealand v New South Wales Country
Wednesday July 5th
3.00pm New Zealand v Australia Gold
7.00pm New Zealand v Australia Green
9.00pm New Zealand v Titans
Thursday July 6th
1.00pm New Zealand v New South Wales Metro
3.00pm GRAND FINAL Team 1 v Team 2
By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell
* mailto:kelly.mitchell@xtra.co.nz
http://www.softball.org.nz/
*mailto:snz@softball.org.nz
Cheers Vance
Softball New Zealand web master.
* mailto:vanf@ihug.co.nz