The New Zealand Junior White Sox have arrived in Irvine California as the team counts down to the start of the WBSC U-19 Women’s World Cup.

 

The world championship will host 16 teams over 7 days commencing 10 August.

 

Head Coach Carl Tuinenga say’s “ The JWSX have prepared well, having two camps in our leadup with players training hard in their own regions. The girls have been doing their own individual trainings with assistance from senior New Zealand players and top coaches. Offence being a target for us, we need to score runs!”

 

The JWSX have a pre-tournament 7 game schedule against Australia x2, Czech Republic, Ireland and local teams.   Tuinenga says “the warmup games will allow the coaching staff to assess players form, work on combinations with game plans being the focus, more than the results. Fitness has been another big focus as it will be hot in Irvine and we need to be fit to be able to compete.”

 

New Zealand have drawn a tough pool against Canada (3), Chinese Taipei (6), and The Netherlands (10) all of who are ranked higher than the JWSX (11).

 

“We are not overawed at all, more excited about the challenge really, but we need to be aggressive and have urgency. We can’t afford to sit back and play the style of ball we play at home, everything will be faster, quicker, more intense and we need to adjust to compete.” Says Tuinenga.

 

“We have some experience within the squad with a bunch of the players having played offshore recently, and 5 travelling players from 2 years ago returning.” Says Tuinenga.

 

Pallas Potter will once again captain the team with her recent experience at Florida South Western College being invaluable

 

WBSC U-19 Women’s Softball World Cup Website

https://u19wswc.wbsc.org/en/2019

 

Messages of support can be sent to Team Manager Gail Werahiko, email: gailwerahiko@live.com

 

 

Photo courtesy of Sharon Ford at Auckland Airport last Saturday.

 

 

Glen Roff - Softball Manager

Softball New Zealand

m: 021537082 | p: 04 5600389

 

 

 

SOFTBALL IS A CHAMPION SPORT ON AND OFF THE DIAMOND

 

Softball.org.nz   Facebook   Twitter   Instagram  Pinterest

New Zealand Black Sox World Champions: 76, 84, 96, 00, 04, 13, 17

New Zealand White Sox World Champions: 82

New Zealand Junior Black Sox World Champions: 85, 89