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White Sox depart for Canada and the World Championships

July 12, 2018

Surrey, BC - - White Sox depart for Canada and the World Championships


The New Zealand White Sox have departed for Canada as they commence on the last stage of their campaign towards the Women’s World Championship in Chiba, Japan. The White Sox will return to Surrey Park, BC the venue of the 2016 World Championship where they finished a credible eighth place.  

 

Preparation will consist of exhibition games and eight days of competitive ball at the illustrious Canada Cup, July 14 -22. Intensity will start to lift as the team edges closer to the XVI Women's World Championship and the added incentive of an opportunity to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

 

The White Sox will not only be in a familiar environment but they will have the added support of the Emerging Sox Under 17 and Junior White Sox Girls teams who are competing in the Futures (U19) event. The two national age grade teams who departed for Canada 24 hours earlier are looking to gain valuable experience ahead of the Under 19 World Championship next August in Irvine, California. Both teams have worked seamlessly together in camp environments over the winter in preparation for the their tour.

 

“Three national teams at the Canada Cup is unprecedented, a move designed to enhance the quality of our women’s national team programme”, says Softball NZ CEO, Tony Giles.

 

“It really is an exciting time for softball with the Temperzone Junior Black Sox currently competing at the WBSC World Championship, our Emerging Sox Boys team in Australia at the International Friendship Games and Golden Homes Black Sox heading to Prague next month for the Intercontinental Cup”, he says.

 

White Sox Head Coach Kevin Gettins is happy with where the team is at saying they have prepared well reaching good fitness levels along the way.

“Although the team is young many have junior and senior world championship experience that we will benefit from,” says Gettins.

“An aggressive approach will allow us to create opportunities and build pressure on teams offensively and defensively. The team is not without its challenges though. For the most part the players are spread around the world playing in various leagues, hence a longer than normal build up in Canada”.

“Defence will play a major role in how far we progress in the world championship, minimising errors and walks will be critical to our success”.

“We are looking to take leanings from the last world championships and focus on competing at the higher level, playing with more intensity for longer periods and not let our guard down” says Gettins.  


New Zealand White Sox Team to compete at the Canada Cup and the XVI Women's World Championship, Chiba Japan from 2 – 12 August.

Pitchers
Rita Hokianga, Taylor-Paige Stewart, Courtney Gettins, Jennifer Feret-Brear, Nyree White (pitcher/infield)
Catchers
Melanie Gettins, Kyla Bromhead,
Infield
Ellie Cooper (Captain), Pallas Potter, Hailey Breakwell, Lara Andrews, Mikayla Werahiko
Outfield
Kingsley Avery, Kelley Renner, Krysta Hoani, Ancelle Van Molendorff
Utility
Mereana Makea

 

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Glen Roff - Softball Manager

Softball New Zealand

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