Information courtesy of Softball Australia
Softball Australia congratulates the following athletes for their selection in the U19 Men’s and U17 Girls’ squads to represent Australia at the upcoming International Friendship Series at Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney from Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July 2015.
U19 Men’s Squad
Blake Bell (NSW) Aiden Kennedy (NSW) Isaac Rossi (NSW)
Logan Campbell (NSW) Nixon Kim (WA) Joshua San Juan (ACT)
Jacob Cassar (Vic) Shaun Lanaghan (NSW) Julian Scott-Davies (Qld)
Alex Cleary (Qld) Ryan Mayer (ACT) Andrew Seabrook (Qld)
Brennan Dempsey (Qld) Isaac McDonald (NSW) Dylan Sheehan (Qld)
Jacob Donaldson (NSW) Josh McGovern (ACT) Dawson Summers (WA)
Bradley Dunn (NSW) Nicholas Moore (Qld) Adam Talarico (Vic)
Jacob Garland (NSW) Jack Noble (NSW) Luke Thomas (Qld)
Chris Gillies (NSW) Luke Ollerenshaw (NSW) Taikaora Whaanga (NSW)
Blake Jackson (NSW) James Purcell (Qld) Mitchell Woodworth (Qld)
Kyle Johnson (ACT) Matthew Roberts-Osborne (NSW)
Editor’s note: Australia’s U19 program has been outstanding for quite some time, winning four consecutive gold medals, in 1997, 2001 and 2005, and 2008. Hard to believe it’s been 10 years now since Adam Folkard pitched for that 2005 gold medal squad. In 2008, Drew Faulkner drove home the game winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning against Canada who won the silver. Argentina won gold in 2012 on home turf in Parana, breaking the 16 year run for the Aussie Colts. The Colts came away with bronze medals in 2012, behind Argentina and Japan. In 2014, the Colts did not medal, finishing fourth behind Argentina, which won gold again, New Zealand, who won silver and Japan gold. Our broadcast crew had a good look at the young Australians, including two on the list above that impressed us, Luke Ollenrenshaw from NSW and Josh McGovern from ACT. Australia’s U19 team at Whitehorse last summer struggled early but fought hard to get into the medal round, with the fourth and final spot decided in their game against the USA. You can bet that Australia is of singular focus as they set their sights on Midland Michigan in 2016.
U17 Girls’ Squad
Kate Armstrong (NSW) Emily Hopkins (SA) Kalani Selu (ACT)
Madeleine Beard (NSW) Montana Kearnes (NSW) Rachael Sharp (Tas)
Erin Blackmore (Qld) Shannon Keevers (NSW) Maddison Smith (NSW)
Anneliese Brenner (ACT) Rachel Kraak (Qld) Tarni Stepto (NSW)
Piera Charles (Vic) Ellie Lees (NSW) Brianna Trim (NSW)
Phoebe Collins (Qld) Courtney May (SA) Tegan Trindle (Qld)
Maddison Falcon-Green (Qld) Jamie Mead (SA) Mihikura Tuialii (Vic)
Kelsey Griffen (NSW) Brooke Melavirta (ACT) Tia Waters (Qld)
Chloe Holman (NSW) Amelia Mercuri (Vic) Tamieka Whitefield (Qld)
Natasha Holt (Vic) Narisse Privitera (Vic) Tiffany Zuch (Qld)
For many selected in these squads, this is their first chance to be involved in a national program, and the first step in building our promising young softball talent towards the elite level and moving towards selection in the Australian Men’s and Women’s U19 and Open teams. Softball Australia wishes all players the best of luck in the upcoming Series.
For more information about the Series, please click here or alternatively contact Richard Costantino, National Teams’ & Events Administrator: richard.costantino@softball.org.au or 03 9417 0022, ext 115.