Canty teams unsure of attending tournament
One of Canterbury’s top softball clubs has confirmed it will still attend the national interclub tournament this month – but another says its participation is “still up in the air” in the earthquake aftermath.
Parklands-Christchurch United (PCU) Devils will send a team to Lower Hutt for the tournament, which starts on March 15, spokesman Gareth Cook said.
“We are definitely going, but we are still not 100 per cent sure if we are going to be at full strength. That will depend on a couple of guys’ [personal] situations,” said Cook, who was co-captain of the Canterbury Red Sox team that won last month’s national interprovincial title for the first time in 15 seasons.
Richmond Keas spokesman Clayton Ellis said his club’s plans were “still up in the air, at this stage” although they were still hoping to go. “We’ve got a few guys who could be unavailable due to their current circumstances and we’re trying to give them as much time as possible to make their decision.” Ellis said some Richmond Keas players’ homes were still without power and water and they were “trying to look after their families”.
“There’s a couple of others with work issues and a few have left town.”
The club hoped to make a final decision by the weekend.
Richmond Keas might be able to fill any gaps in their roster with “two or three pickup players” if other clubs were not going to Lower Hutt, Ellis said.
Papanui Tigers coach Colin Sutherland said his team will meet tonight to make a final decision. “But I think we will be going. We might have a couple of guys who can’t go, but we’ll play it by ear.”
Albion Pirates had also registered to attend the tournament.
Softball New Zealand (SNZ) events and association relationship manager Eugene Gilbert said Albion officials told him yesterday they were “still keen but a number of their players work for the council” and were involved in earthquake relief.
He said the New Zealand Defence Force team withdrew yesterday.
“There are 2000 [defence personnel] down there in Christchurch and they’re not allowed leave.” Gilbert said SNZ “totally understood” why Canterbury teams might have to pull out of the tournament.
NZDF’s defection leaves the tournament – traditionally New Zealand softball’s strongest – with 22 entries.
No Canterbury women’s teams had entered the 12-team national women’s interclub tournament which starts in Auckland on March 16.