Thomas Makea appointed Junior Black Sox Head Coach

April 17, 2013

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17 April Retired Black Sox legend Thomas Makea has been appointed Junior Black Sox coach for next year’s ISF World Junior Championship at Whitehorse, Canada.

And he’s hoping to enlist the aid of some world champion team-mates to help groom the next generation for their challenge at the next level.

Makea (38) has won four world titles with the New Zealand men’s team, the most recent of those last month in Auckland, and has since retired from all levels of the game.

But even as his playing career wound down, he was already planning his next step – guiding the U19 team to their world tournament. He was subsequently interviewed for the role and confirmed this week.

“My motivation is to help these young guys coming through to win the world junior title and get them ready for the next level,” says Makea.

“I’ve been there for the past 20 years, so I know the in’s and out’s.”

Current Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase has described Makea as one of New Zealand’s greatest players and the legend hopes to talk some of his former NZ team-mates into helping out with the youngsters.

“I think I can get a lot of support from the Black Sox,” he says. “I’m sure some of the older, retiring guys would help out at training camps or as hitting coaches … whatever we need.

“But there are also some young guys in the team, who are the same generation as these juniors and don’t come from the ‘old school’, that we can tap into.”

Makea has been quietly accumulating coaching credentials at representative level, guiding Wellington association teams at senior and age group (U15) nationals. He has also instructed Porirua City United and Poneke Kilbirnie premier club sides.

“I’ve been coaching for a few years now, under the radar, and I’ve seen some good young players coming through the grades.

“We’ve always had the talent, even back in my era. In 1993, we were a couple of outs away from winning the world title.

“But they need a lot more hard work on the mental side of the game … understanding the game.”

And that’s where Makea sees his Black Sox mates chipping in.

“We’re very lucky to have great players like Thomas wanting to help our young players achieve their potential,” says Softball New Zealand general manager Dane Dougan.

“Thomas’ career has been notable for his uncompromising work ethic and if he can pass that on to the Junior Black Sox, I’m sure they will be successful now and in the future.”