Australian Open Men’s Squad 2011

Editor’s note:

Some familiar names on the list, to be sure, including pitchers Adam Folkard and the two Andrews, Kirkpatrick and youngster Blackshaw. (Recall that Blackshaw was left off of the 2008 ISF Jr. Men’s squad). Looks like the reports of Folkard’s departure from ISF competition due to the ISF pitching rule didn’t come to pass. That won’t make the prospect of dethroning Australia in 2013 any easier on the competition. Zenon Winters a returning veteran star.

Drew Faulkner, who drove in the game winning run against Canada. Cameron Bint is another Jr. player from that 2008 gold medal squad.

The surprise is seeing Nick Shailes listed as a reserve. There is an asterisk next to his name denoting eligibility issues, but I can’t think of many better hitters in the game than Shailes, the 2010 ISC World Tournament Most Valuable player. Perhaps some of my friends down under can shed some light on this, or provide additional background on the player selections. Mark Long?

Softball Australia is proud to announce the following athletes who have been selected in the Australian Open Men’s Squad for 2011:
Head Coach

Bob Harrow

2011 Squad

William Bailey (Qld)
David Edwards (Vic)
Mark Harris (WA)
Brad Riley (ACT)
Cameron Bint (NSW)
Drew Faulkner (Vic)
Andrew Havercroft (WA)
Jamie Sheehan (NSW)
Andrew Blackshaw (Qld)
Adam Folkard (ACT)
Adam Humble (WA)
Mick Tanner (ACT)
Evan Byrne (ACT)
Jason Garner (WA)
Nathan Jones (WA)
Ryan Tranter (NSW)
Neal Delpero (WA)
Shaun Goffer (Qld)
Andrew Kirkpatrick (ACT)
Luke Van de Griendt (Qld)
Tyson Duncan (WA)
Beau Harich (WA)
Scott Patterson (WA)
Zenon Winter (Qld)

2011 Reserves

Aaron Boccardo (WA)
Guy Covacin (Qld)
Michael Munro (Qld)
Nick Norton (ACT)
Shaun Bostock (NSW)
Michael Gibson*
Damien Nairn (Qld)
Nick Shailes* (Qld)
Aaron Cockman (WA)
Brendan Lamb (WA)
Matt Norton (ACT)
Lewis Weldon (Vic)

*Denotes subject to eligibility

Editor’s note 2: Here is the roster from the 2008 ISF Jrs.Gold Medal Squad, with names in bold those selected to the squad or reserve squad. Looks like the kids are coming along.

Steven Albee (NSW)
Craig Bingley (ACT)
Cameron Bint (NSW)
Aaron Boccardo (WA)
Shaun Bostock (NSW)
Tyson Duncan (WA)
Thomas Edwards (ACT)
Drew Faulkner (Vic)
Beau Harich (WA)
Ryan Lavers (NSW)
Shane Norman (NSW)
Ty Priest (Vic)
Brad Riley (ACT)
Rahim Rohizat (WA/Tas)
Matt Stafford (ACT)
Jason Tutt (ACT)
Heath Wells (ACT)