[From Glen Roff | SOFTBALL NZ]
The Junior White Sox coaching staff have named their first Junior White Sox selection team, with an eye towards the 2022 World Cup.
Coach Kiri Shaw says, “It’s time to start looking at our next group of ballers in preparation for the 2022 World Cup. Whilst it is two years away, that time will pass quickly and we need to start talent identifying these players now.”
The JWSX will compete in the Bev Smith tournament in December. “Whilst we are familiar with a small group of players in this age group, namely those who were in last year’s JWSX squad, this is a relatively new group to us.” Coach Shaw is hopeful by having a similar programme to what was in place with the current JWSX team, i.e. selection teams playing in club tournaments and the NFC tournament, the coaching staff will become more familiar with players and their capabilities in this age bracket.
Selectors will also be in attendance at this year’s regional tournaments and will name a wider JWSX squad at the completion of the final regional tournament.
‘We are in a weird place right now. The last 14 months has been focused on selecting and preparing a Junior White Sox team to attend the 2020 World Cup in Peru. Due to COVID and the rescheduling of that World Cup to March/April, 2021, our current team continues to be in ‘limbo’ in regards to their attendance at that tournament. I have mad respect for this bunch of ladies. They have had to soldier through a campaign like no other.” The team continues to remain optimistic.
The JWSX team to play in the Bev Smith tournament in December:
Tyarn Bromhead Lemalu, Meeki Cooper Nicola, Hope Maaka, Ocearn Matthews, Innika Hapuku-Lambert (Auckland), Maysen Kurene-Iwikau, Mesha Shaw-Wallace, Rylee Watt, Sierra Tai (Hutt Valley), Maiarangi Waipara, Kyera Kei-Nafatali (Wellington), McKenzie Bailey, Samantha Fawcett-Kay, Trinity Mackley, Kiyah Ratu (Canterbury)
Glen Roff – Softball Manager
Softball New Zealand