First White Sox Squad Announced

July 6, 2015

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Coach Kevin Gettins first White Sox squad is a mix of established players plus a number of younger players from the successful Junior White Sox teams of the last few seasons, who have pushed themselves into contention for higher honours.

The squad includes a number of the White Sox team who finished a very credible 8^th at last year’s World championships in The Netherlands. There are 12 players who are based in the USA on scholarship, one in Australia and the balance residing in New Zealand.

“It is important we develop a squad where players have to compete for their place on the team for the 2016 World Championships.  It is critical for the success of the national programme that we have our best players available. This will be a focus going forward", reports Coach Gettins.

Coach Gettins says, "It is exciting to see players making themselves available".   Returning is Kuraroa Ratu-James who at the two previous Junior Women's World Championships finished in the top 10 batters, Rita Hokianga who pitched her West Texas College team to win the Division Two College World Championship in 2014, and Taylor-Paige Stewart a starting pitcher with the University of Wisconsin.  "These young women are the calibre of player we need available to compete on the World Stage", reflects Coach Gettins.

The inclusion of 17 year old Mereana Makea reflects the confidence Coach Gettins has in the young Wellington outfielder, "Makea has had a standout year in age group softball and performed very strongly at NFC and National Interclub tournaments, she is an exciting prospect for the future ".

Going forward Coach Gettins relates that there will be a strong focus on fitness and conditioning and players will be required to accept the responsibility to work hard on this themselves.  “At the end of the day our athletes need to be motivated to get themselves in the best physical condition they can, this will be monitored but the individual must take responsibility and accountability for their preparation and ongoing training".

Along with developing the athleticism and skills required to compete internationally, it is important to Coach Gettins that White Sox members are good people.  "This is a trait I hold very highly in a team environment".

The competition for place on the 2016 World Championship team starts now and as the season starts players performances will be continually monitored.  Although no winter camp is scheduled the first White Sox training camp will be held in late November in the Hawkes Bay.

 

Â	NZ White Sox Squad 2015		Â
Â	 Player	Club	Province
1	Kura Ratu-James	Te Aroha	Hutt Valley
2	Yvonne Burgess	Te Aroha	Hutt Valley
3	Mel Gettins	Dodgers	Hutt Valley
4	Kyla Bromhead	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
5	Katrina Stockford	Ramblers	Auckland
6	Jennifer Feret	Western Magpies	Auckland
7	Rebecca Bromhead	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
8	Beth Stavert	Western Magpies	Auckland
9	Gillian Wills	Western Magpies	Auckland
10	Kyrsta Hoani	Otahuhu	Auckland
11	Ancelle van Molendorf	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
12	Tegan Bromhead	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
13	Te Reo Powhiri Matautia	Marist	Auckland
14	Mereana Makea	Poneke Kilbirnie	Wellington
15	Carly Werahiko	Sydenham/Kereru	Canterbury
16	Robyn Hall	Sydenham/Kereru	Canterbury
17	Emma Frost	Halswell	Canterbury
18	Rita Hokianga	Dodgers	Hawkes Bay
19	Taylor Paige Stewart	University of Wisconsin	USA
20	Cassie Siataga	Midland College, Texas/ Canterbury	USA
21	Tynesha Houkamau	Midland College, Texas/ Canterbury	USA
22	Kayla Rangiawha	South Florida College, Florida/Wellington	USA
23	Mikayla Werahiko	South Florida College, Florida/Canterbury	USA
24	Courtney Gettins	South Florida College, Florida/Hutt Valley	USA
25	Ellie Cooper	Florida State University	USA
26	Kingsley Avery	University of Avia Maria/Auckland	USA
27	Lara Andrews	Pennsylvania Rebellion/Hutt Valley	USA
28	Danica Ferriso	Midland College, Texas/Hutt Valley	USA
29	Amy Begg	Morgan State University/Canterbury	USA
30	Hailey Breakwell	Idaho State University	USA
31	Shannon Hearne	Carine Cats, Perth	Australia

 

 

Cheers, Glen

 

Softball Manager, Softball New Zealand

M: 021537082 I  DDI: 04 5600389

 

 

 

 

  

            

 

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

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