Canterbury, NZ - - Black Sox softball catcher Stephen Ratu becomes Canterbury coach
New Canterbury Red Sox men's softball coach Stephen Ratu.
Former Black Sox softball catcher Stephen Ratu hopes to continue Canterbury's "proud legacy" at his first tournament as the Red Sox's representative coach.
Ratu has switched from playing for Canterbury last season to coaching this year as he attempts to guide the Red Sox to a 24th consecutive Jefferies Cup South Island title in Christchurch this weekend.
"I'm excited, but nervous," said Ratu, who takes over from former Black Sox pitcher Greg Newton, Canterbury's coach since 2012.
"It does bring a bit of pressure in trying to carry on that legacy that Canterbury have created and there's bit of expectation. But it wouldn't be softball if there wasn't some pressure.
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"I didn't want to leave last year the way we did, I just wanted to give back to the boys and help to try and win another Jefferies Cup, first of all, and hopefully another NFC [National Fastpitch Championships] title."
Ratu, who won silver medals at the 2009 and 2015 world championships put up his hand to coach Canterbury after guiding the province's under-15 team and earning an appointment as New Zealand Developing Sox coach.
He said the first practice was "a bit tough". "I still thought I was one of the boys and I had to remind myself that 'you're the coach now'."
He has gone from playing for the Black Sox with infielders Josh Harbrow and Tyron Bartorillo to coaching them at the Red Sox, but said they had been "really awesome".
"I'll be leaning on them for a bit of help.
"It's going well, it's just a matter now of putting it on the diamond," said Ratu, who insisted he would not be swinging a bat.
Canterbury have lost former Black Sox pitcher Penese Iosefo and longtime former captain Gareth Cook, who is now with Hutt Valley Dodgers.
Junior Black Sox pitcher Reilly Makea, who is attending a tournament in Hastings, and ex-Black Sox outfielder Josh Thomson, who is getting married on Sunday, will miss the Jefferies Cup.
But Ratu can still field a strong lineup anchored by Bartorillo and Harbrow, pitchers Ethan Johnston, Ben Watts and Ryan Britt, New Zealand Emerging Sox under-23 prospects Jackson Watt, Bailey Hamilton and Callum Bishop and Australian import Josh Hartwig.
Ratu said the Red Sox would not be taking another title for granted with former Black Sox pitcher Kurt Schollum on the mound for Marlborough.
"And you can't discount the likes of Southland, Otago and Nelson."
Southland have picked up former Canterbury pitcher Scott Sutherland to join their top hurler Daniel Perry.
Meanwhile, Canterbury Red Hawks coach Paul Stockford has named three American imports in his side for the South Island Jubilee Cup tournament.
Papanui catcher Elizabeth Snow will join compatriots Paige Crawford and Allyne Clark, the PCU Angels' pitcher-catcher combination.
Former New Zealand Red Sox internationals Cassie Siataga and Robyn Hall will also turn out for the White Sox.
Play starts on Saturday at Mizuno Ballpark in both competitions with the finals at 1pm on Sunday.
AT A GLANCE
CANTERBURY RED SOX MEN
Ethan Johnson, Nathan Watt, Antony Stuart, Josh Dickson, Callum Muir, Tyron Bartorillo, Josh Hartwig, Callum Bishop ,Jackson Watt, Ben Watts, Kieran Nation, Josh Harbrow, Ihaka Davis, Bailey Hamilton Ryan Britt, Curtis Dove. Head coach: Stephen Ratu. Assistant coach: Aaron Collier.
CANTERBURY RED HAWKS WOMEN
Allyne Clark, Arnora Hesp, Cassie Siataga, Elizabeth Snow, Johanna Church, Layla McDowell, Katelyn Bayer, Krystal Werahiko, Lauren Sutherland, Leah Stockford ,Paige Crawford, Robyn Hall. Head coach: Paul Stockford. Assistant-coach: Glen Metcalf.
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 - Stuff
