From Tony Giles, Chief Executive, Softball New Zealand
We are now only 7 days from the first pitch at the Oceania Men’s Qualifier at Rosedale Park, Albany.
All three teams have been announced and excitement is building with the teams at SNZ, NHSA, and the many volunteers behind the scenes busy ensuring every detail is in place for this showcase event.
Live Television coverage has been secured via SKY Sport with all 7 games being broadcast on their premier SKY Sports 1 channel, from 2.00pm December 12.
The event is also being live streamed for SKY subscribers on their SKYGO platform.
I am aware of many clubs, who have Sky access, holding family events on the Friday & Saturday nights to entice members to come together and support the Golden Homes Black Sox.
I am also delighted to announce that following discussions with the Satellite Services Team from Television New Zealand, all 7 games will be broadcast into the Pacific Region, Including:
American Samoa
Cook Islands
Fiji
Nauru
Niue
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Vanuatu
This is incredibly exciting news for the development of our great game in the Pacific, and I hope you join with me in celebrating this success with our members.
Discussions are underway with Fox Sports, Australia to have delayed games broadcast across the ditch also.
It is an important time for our great game both domestically, and internationally with the pending IOC announcement due Monday as to whether Softball is back on the Olympic agenda for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Whilst this is a coalition bid, it is an exciting opportunity for young females in New Zealand to represent their country at the sporting mecca that is the Olympic Games.
With cautious optimism we await the IOC decision!
Kind Regards
Tony Giles
Chief Executive
Softball New Zealand