Wednesday 26 April 2006
Australian Open Women's team selected for World Championship
The Australian Open Women's team has been selected for the XI ISF Women's World Championship to be held later this year at the Fengtai Sports Centre in Beijing, China, from 27 August to 5 September.
The championship will also act as an Olympic qualifying event, with softball to be played at the same venue in 2008.
Head Coach Fabian Barlow said the 17-member team is a mixture of experience and youth and is confident that it is the right mix for success.
"We are confident with the dynamics of the squad we have chosen and feel it is the right mix to do Australia proud at the Worlds," said Mr Barlow.
12 of the 17 players selected in the team have previous experience at World Championships and Olympic Games, boasting 22 World Championship campaigns and 20 Olympic Games campaigns between them, with three players - Tanya Harding, Melanie Roche and Natalie Ward - having played at three World Championships and three Olympic Games.
For five players - Kylie Cronk, Kelly Gentle, Kate Quigley, Danielle Stewart and Belinda Wright - it will be their first opportunity to play at a major championship.
"There wasn't a set criteria, which allowed the younger players to rise to the challenge for selection. Australia has many quality players and, although selection was tough, a lot of the girls excelled themselves to prove they have what it takes to play at the elite level," said Barlow.
The team will now go into an induction camp at the AIS Unit in Brisbane from 6-9 May to begin their preparations for the Worlds. Following this their preparations will include competing at the Canada Cup (1-9 July, Vancouver) and US Cup (13-17 July, Oklahoma) along with a further four training camps.
"The team will be preparing for the mental challenge of what lies ahead over the next few months before we head to the Worlds. We have the right combination and skills to win the gold, but it depends on how we perform on the day," concluded Barlow.
The team is as follows:
Sandra Allen (QLD) 2 World Championships, 2 Olympic Games
Marissa Carpadios (QLD) 1 World Championship, 1 Olympic Games
Kylie Cronk (QLD) 1st Major International Championship
Amanda Doman (QLD) 1 Olympic Games
Kelly Gentle (NSW) 1st Major International Championship
Kelly Hardie (QLD) 2 World Championships, 1 Olympic Games
Tanya Harding (QLD) 3 World Championships, 3 Olympic Games
Danica Howlett (NSW) 1 World Championship
Simmone Morrow (NSW) 2 World Championships, 2 Olympic Games
Tracey Mosley (QLD) 2 World Championships, 1 Olympic Games
Stacey Porter (NSW) 1 Olympic Games
Kate Quigley (VIC) 1st Major International Championship
Melanie Roche (NSW) 3 World Championships, 3 Olympic Games
Danielle Stewart (QLD) 1st Major International Championship
Natalie Titcume (VIC) 1 World Championship, 2 Olympic Games
Natalie Ward (NSW) 3 World Championships, 3 Olympic Games
Belinda Wright (NSW) 1st Major International Championship
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW
Fabian Barlow, Head Coach, Australian Open Women's team.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
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DiAnne Lilburn
National Communications Coordinator
Softball Australia
Suite 4, Ground Floor
38-40 Prospect Street
Box Hill, Victoria 3128
T: +61 3 9890 8200
F: +61 3 9890 8295
M: +61 (0) 405 509 674
For more information visit www.softball.org.au
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Did you know that Australia is the world's number one softball nation?
World number two - Open Women's team (Aussie Spirit), Silver Medallist (Athens, 2004), Bronze Medallists (Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996).
World number one - Under 19 Men's team (Aussie Colts), three consecutive World Championship titles.
World number three - Open Men's team (Aussie Steelers) and Under 19 Women's team (Aussie Pride).
