NZ White Sox

 

 

NZ WHITE SOX CANADA CUP 2024 RESULTS

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31 July 2024
 

DATE (CANADIAN TIME)	GAME	RESULT
Monday 1 July - 1.00pm GMT	NEW ZEALAND vs CANADA	0 - 9
Monday 1 July - 8.30pm GMT	NEW ZEALAND vs PHILIPPINES	1 - 5
Tuesday 2 July - 10.30am GMT	MEXICO vs NEW ZEALAND	12 - 2
Wednesday 3 July - 1.00pm GMT	NEW ZEALAND vs HONG KONG	16 - 0
Thursday 4 July - 3.30pm GMT	NEW ZEALAND vs ISRAEL	8 - 5
Friday 5 July - 6.00pm GMT	GREECE vs NEW ZEALAND	1 - 11
Sunday 7 July - 10.30am GMT	NEW ZEALAND vs CHINESE TAIPEI	5 - 6
FINAL PLACING	10TH

 

NZ WHITE SOX CANADA CUP SQUAD 2024

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6 May 2024

Following the publication of athletes last month, the White Sox coaching staff proudly announce a further two athletes, and four non-travelling reserves, to finalize the squad attending the Canada Cup in Vancouver, Canada this July.

The eighteen (18) selected athletes have earned a well-deserved place to represent New Zealand on the international stage. The White Sox will depart New Zealand on 25th June for Vancouver, where they will compete in the Canada Cup Women’s International Fastpitch tournament from 1 - 7 July.

THE FULL NZ WHITE SOX CANADA CUP TEAM 2024:
- Loran Parker (Auckland)
- Amy Begg (Canterbury)
- Brittany Terrey (Canterbury)
- Pania Monk (Auckland)
- Charlotte Graham (North Harbour)
- Emma Francis (Wellington)
- Otila Tavite (Hutt Valley)
- Kiara Taimai (Auckland)
- Lucy McIntyre (Canterbury)
- Kiri Winiata-Enoka (Hutt Valley)
- Lace Tangianau (Hutt Valley)
- Pallas Potter (Hutt Valley)
- Erin Blackmore (Hawkes Bay)
- Beth Reid (Auckland)
- Denva Shaw-Tait (USA college)
- Ocearn Matthews (USA college)
- Stella Jorgensen (Canterbury)
- Ruby Nola (Auckland)**
** Due to injury, Meeki Copper-Nicola has been replaced by Ruby Nola.

NON-TRAVELLING:
- Tyarn Bromhead-Lemalu (Auckland)
- Rongomai Luke-Royal (Hutt Valley)
- Cherie Inwood (Canterbury)
 

NEW ZEALAND WHITE SOX MANAGEMENT TEAM NAMED

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3 April 2024

Softball New Zealand is delighted to announce the following appointments to the NZ White Sox management team ahead of their Canada Cup tour.

MANAGER - Kylie Dalton
ASSISTANT MANAGER - Aimee Russell 
ASSISTANT COACH (OUTFIELD SPECIALIST) - Zavana Aranga
BATTERY COACH - Suzy de Lautor

Kylie Dalton is an outstanding communicator, highly organised and known to get stuff done. Her recent NFC involvement and time supporting women's premier club softball alongside her professional background as a school teacher having planned and led many camps including helping lead two overseas trips combined a great fit for the team. Kylie is excited to now be supporting the White Sox in this Manager’s role.

Aimee Russell is also highly organised and a great communicator. Aimee’s experiences include being a Manager of the NZ Developing Sox Girls team with international tour experiences including the WBSC U15 Women's World Cup. Aimee’s is extensively involved in softball supporting her club in various capacities, supporting our National Office with special projects and comms and is a SNZ L4 scorer. Combined with a background in film and media logistics offers a great addition to the White Sox.

Zavana Aranga is a dual international athlete, having represented New Zealand in both softball and rugby league, with a strong desire to give back at this level in the sport she loves. Her sporting achievements are based on work ethic and discipline, with a deep understanding of the process to gain success and support of the team by being a good team member. She will be promoting this same approach as an assistant, in support of head coach Donny Hale. 

Suzy de Lautour adds great international pitching experience, having competed on the world stage for New Zealand as a frontline pitcher herself. As part of her huge investment of our game, she has continued to develop her coaching experience - having worked with the Canterbury women's pitchers in recent years and established key pitching coach connections across the country and abroad. This added to Suzy's broad strength and conditioning, and technology know-how, offers a great resource for elite female battery. 

We are thrilled to have them onboard, supporting our White Sox programme. 

NEW ZEALAND WHITE SOX WORLD CUP TRAINING SQUAD NAMED

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14 March 2024

Softball NZ’s President, Lynda O’Cain is pleased to announce the names of the following athletes who have been selected for this year’s White Sox training squad. This announcement notes a further selection to be ratified after the NZ Open Club Championship. "We congratulate these athletes on their WSX squad selection. This team is the pinnacle for our NZ women’s high performance pathway and as such we are proud of each of you.”
 

NZ White Sox 2024 Training Squad (Group 1)

• Clover Alapaki - (Auckland)
• McKenzie Bailey McDowell - (Canterbury)
• Erin Blackmore - (Hawkes Bay)
• Tyarn Bromhead - Lemalu - (Auckland)
• Meeki Cooper-Nicola - (Auckland)
• Emma Francis - (Wellington)
• Charlotte Graham - (North Harbour)
• Shyah Hale - (Auckland)
• Cherie Inwood - (Canterbury)
• Stella Jorgensen - (Canterbury)
• Caitlyn Lewin - (Hutt Valley)
• Rongamai Luke-Royal - (Hutt Valley)
• Ocearn Mathews - (USA college)
• Lucy McIntyre - (Canterbury)
• Tyla Morrison - (Auckland)
• Ruby Nola - (Auckland)
• Loran Parker - (Auckland)
• Pallas Potter - (Hutt Valley)
• Kaiyah Ratu - (Canterbury)
• Denva Shaw-Tait - (USA college)
• Keri Simeon - (Hutt Valley)
• Kiara Taimai - (Auckland)
• Lace Tangianau - (Hutt Valley)
• Otila Tavite - (Hutt Valley)
• Brittany Terry - (Canterbury)
• Rylee Watt - (Hutt Valley)
• Mikayla Werahiko - (Canterbury)
• Kiri Winiata-Enoka - (Hutt Valley)

Head Coach, Donny Hale is pleased to confirm these athletes. “This year the team is heading to the Canada Cup, in Surrey, British Columbia and with plans for domestic camps and a pre-tour build up makes this announcement an important part of our campaign. We will name a potential smaller number of athletes after the NZ Open Club Championship who will join the squad. We are excited to bring this wider talent pool of elite female athletes together to train before naming the final roster to compete at the Canada Cup." Donny Hale, Head Coach.

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Following on from NZ Open Club Nationals, the following players were added for this year’s White Sox training squad. “With the NZ domestic season now completed, the WSX coaching staff have selected the remainder of their training squad for 2024. Congratulations to the following athletes”;

• Amy Begg (Canterbury)
• Sachi Clark - (Auckland)
• Tyneesha Houkaumau - (Auckland)
• Arene Langdon-Lane - (USA college)
• Beth Reid - (Auckland)

Head Coach, Donny Hale is pleased to confirm these additional athletes who will join those announced 29 Feb 24. “We are excited to bring this wider talent pool of elite female athletes together to train before naming the final roster to compete at the Canada Cup. There is also another small group of athletes who will be contacted and invited to attend WSX regional trainings in the off-season, with the goal of continuing to build depth within the program”. Donny Hale, Head Coach.
 

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WBSC WOMEN'S SOFTBALL QUALIFIER 2023 RESULTS (GROUP C)

GAME	RESULT
Sunday 23 July 2023, 12.00PM	NEW ZEALAND vs JAPAN	2 - 16
Sunday 23 July 2023, 9.00PM	ITALY vs NEW ZEALAND	9 - 0
Monday 25 July 2023, 3.00PM	NEW ZEALAND vs VENEZUELA	4 - 3
Tuesday 26 July 2023, 1.00PM	NEW ZEALAND vs CANADA	0 - 4
Tuesday 26 July 2023, 3.00PM	PHILIPPINES vs NEW ZEALAND	5 - 3
Tuesday 26 July 2023, 9.00PM	VENEZUELA vs NEW ZEALAND	4 - 0

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SKY SPORT NEW ZEALAND WHITE SOX WORLD CUP QUALIFIER SQUAD NAMED

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13 February 2022

Experienced campaigners Lara Andrews, Rebecca Bromhead, Katrina Nukunuku, and Mikayla Werahiko have each been named in the 16 strong Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox team for the upcoming WBSC World Cup - Group Stage qualifier in Italy.

The experienced quartet headline a side that includes exciting youngsters in Shyah Hale and Meeki Cooper-Nicola. The two Auckland teenagers will be attending their first WBSC sanctioned event at senior level, and join world cup campaign debutants Brooke Whiteman, Amy Begg, Nerissa McDowell, Otila Tavite, Tyla Morrison, Loran Parker, Emma Francis, and Erin Blackmore in an exciting new look White Sox side.

The group will compete in Group C at the WBSC World Cup – Group Stage qualifier alongside hosts Italy, Canada, Venezuela, Asia 1 qualifier (likely Olympic Champions Japan), and an appointed wildcard entry.

The tournament takes place in Castions di Strada and Buttrio, Italy July 22-26.

Sky Sport White Sox:

Loran Parker - AKL
Tyla Morrison - AKL
Tyneesha Houkamau – AKL
Brooke Whiteman - AKL
Meeki Cooper Nicola – AKL
Rebecca Bromhead (VC) - AKL
Katrina Nukunuku - AKL
Shyah Hale - AKL
Lara Andrews (C) - HV
Pallas Potter - HV
Erin Blackmore - HV
Otila Tavite - HV
Emma Francis - WLG
Amy Begg – CHC
Mikayla Werahiko – CHC
Nerissa McDowell – CHC

Hutt Valleys, Andrews will captain the side.


Donny Hale appointed as Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox coach

Hale, a three-time world champion with the Black Sox in 2000, 2004 and 2013 has been appointed as Head Coach of the Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox.

Following the resignation of Roman Gabriel due to personal reasons, Hale assumes the helm after joining the group in early 2020 as an assistant coach.

Hale, the former Ramblers women’s coach say’s “it is an honour to have this opportunity to lead the White Sox programme. I look forward to working with our talented athletes, and management group as we focus towards qualifying for the 2023 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup.”

 

SKY SPORT NEW ZEALAND WHITE SOX DEPART FOR AUSTRALIA

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11 December 2022

The White Sox who have not travelled offshore since the January 2020 APC in Sydney will take part in a 10 game programme in support of their preparation for the WBSC World Cup Qualifier in Europe next year.

In addition, the 28 players will partake in inter-squad scrimmage games over the course of the 9 days.

White Sox Schedule:
Tuesday 13 Dec
White Sox vs NSW U18 Girls - 19-1 win (7 innings no mercy rule applied)

Wednesday 14 Dec
White Sox vs NSW U16 Boys - 4 all (7 innings)
White Sox vs NSW U18 Boys - 5-0 loss (1 hour game)

Friday 16th
White Sox vs NSW Firestars women’s team - 7-0 loss

Saturday 17th
White Sox vs ACT 5-4 win
White Sox vs NSW Firestars 6-3 loss
White Sox vs ACT - 5-2 win

Sunday 18th
White Sox vs NSW Firestars 4-0 loss
White Sox vs ACT 5-4 loss


Streaming
Streaming will be via Softball NSW Youtube page and the link will be shared on the day via NSW Facebook page. Softball NSW

Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox to tour Australia
Brooke Whiteman, Katrina Nukunuku, Krysta Hoani, Kyla Bromhead, Loran Parker, Meeki Cooper Nicola, Ocearn Mathews, Rebecca Bromhead (VC), Sachi Clark, Shyah Hale, Tyarn Bromhead-Lemalu, Tyla Morrison, Tyneesha Houkamau, Sarahnaruth Pauga (Auckland) , Amy Begg, Brittany Terrey, Cherie Inwood, , Lucy McIntyre, Kaiyah Ratu, Nerissa McDowell (Canterbury) , Erin Blackmore, Kiri Winiata-Enoka, Lace Tangianau, Lara Andrews ( C ), Otila Tavite, Pallas Potter (Hutt Valley) , Emma Francis, Hope Weber (Wellington)

Unavailable for selection: Denva Shaw-Tait, Karstein Fuimaono, Mereana Makea, Mikayla Lewin, Mikayla Werahiko, Richlyn Tuhoro, Layla Bailey-McDowell.

SKY SPORT WHITE SOX HAVE NAMED A SQUAD

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29 October 2022

The Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox have named a squad of 28 for the upcoming Australian tour this December.

Head Coach Roman Gabriel say’s “After the NFC championship we have decided to use the tour to Australia as an opportunity for current squad members to put their hands up for the major selection come March next year for the WBSC World Cup qualifier.

There were also players outside the squad that performed well catching our eye and we will continue to watch their performances this season, especially at Club Nationals in March.

We have included only 1 player outside the squad due to some unavailability and that is Kaiyah Ratu who had a fantastic NFC.
We have done a lot of work in the past 2 years with our squad, and we felt it important to see what we have been working on in practice with this group come December as this is the first time they get to play since the Internal Tri Series back in 2020.

The tour will commence from 11th to 19th Dec with 10 games in total plus some inter squad scrimmages. I'm excited for what we can achieve on this tour. The players will be put to the test as we don't get many opportunities to have everyone together, so we must use this tour wisely.”

Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox to tour Australia
Brooke Whiteman, Katrina Nukunuku, Krysta Hoani, Kyla Bromhead, Loran Parker, Meeki Cooper Nicola, Ocearn Mathews, Rebecca Bromhead (VC), Sachi Clark, Shyah Hale, Tyarn Bromhead-Lemalu, Tyla Morrison, Tyneesha Houkamau (Auckland) , Amy Begg, Brittany Terrey, Cherie Inwood, Layla Bailey-McDowell, Lucy McIntyre, Kaiyah Ratu, Nerissa McDowell (Canterbury) , Erin Blackmore, Kiri Winiata-Enoka, Lace Tangianau, Lara Andrews ( C ), Otila Tavite, Pallas Potter (Hutt Valley) , Emma Francis, Hope Weber (Wellington)

Unavailable for selection: Denva Shaw-Tait, Karstein Fuimaono, Mereana Makea, Mikayla Lewin, Mikayla Werahiko, Richlyn Tuhoro.

 

SKY SPORT WHITE SOX SQUAD UPDATE

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12 May 2022

Sky Sport White Sox Head Coach Roman Gabriel has named a new squad off the back of last weekend’s off-season training camp at Western Springs College , Nga Puna O Waiorea.

“It was an excellent weekend and well over-due with the last 12 months being very tough on everyone within our softball community but also the entire country.” Say’s Gabriel.

“We were under no illusion that the athletes will not be at the level we would have liked them to be at, for this part of our campaign with limited diamond time over summer and access to gyms etc was non-existent. But the attitude and effort they brought for the entire weekend was awesome and very pleasing.
Even in the classroom where we spent a lot of time learning about the legacy of the White Sox and the glory days of Women’s Softball in this country the athletes were fully engaged and contributed to every session we had.

The vibe within the group was really good and with a few young ones attending their first White Sox camp they settled in pretty quickly and were able to be themselves, which we believe is important part of the culture we are trying to continue to create in the White Sox environment.
You could see the in-house competitiveness coming through which was excellent but at the same time the players were having fun competing to be the best at whatever we put in front of them.

Was a very pleasing weekend and was happy with the outcomes from it. The regions will train together this winter to be ready for the NFC in Oct. After that we will look to name a team to tour Australia at the end of the year, to get some well needed games under our belts as we prepare for a World Cup Qualifier in 2023.

With the last year or so being so difficult there has been some athletes who have decided to take a break from our programme for their own personal reasons so think it is a good idea to confirm the current squad we are working with but as always, we will continue to look outside this squad for any athletes that show potential and form when it comes to selecting future teams.

I am excited about the path we are on as a collective group, and everyone looks to be on the same page.“ He says.

Sky Sport White Sox Squad:
Brooke Whiteman, Karstein Fuimaono, Katrina Nukunuku, Krysta Hoani, Kyla Bromhead, Loran Parker, Meeki Cooper Nicola, Mereana Makea, Ocearn Matthews, Rebecca Bromhead ( VC ), Richlyn Tuhoro, Sachi Clark, Shyah Hale, Tyarn Bromhead-Lemalu, Tyla Morrison, Tyneesha Houkamau (Auckland), Emma Francis, Hope Weber (Wellington), Ashley Johnston, Erin Blackmore, Kiri Winiata-Enoka, Lara Andrews ( C ), Otila Tavite, Denva Shaw-Tait, Lace Tangianau, Mikayla Lewin, Pallas Potter (Hutt Valley), Amy Begg, Brittany Terrey, Cherie Inwood, Layla Bailey-McDowell, Lucy McIntyre, Nerissa McDowell, Mikayla Werahiko (Canterbury).

 

NATIONAL QUAD SERIES

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1 June 2021

Softball NZ confirms an exciting opportunity to showcase national female pathway talent:

In partnership with Sport Manawatu, Softball NZ announces the National Quad Series to be held at Colquhoun Park, Palmerston North, October 23-25.
This exciting initiative brings together the Sky Sport White Sox, Junior White Sox, and for the first time an invitational selection including import athletes.

The National Quad Series will see national coach Roman Gabriel select two teams from his wider squad to compete at the event.
Gabriel intends on bringing in coaches from within the current pathway, as well as identified resource to assist across the weekend.

Gabriel say’s “I'm excited to be able to get out on the diamond again with our athletes. Even more excited that due to the fact that a few members of our squad will not be available in October due to US College commitments it is an opportunity to bring players in for selection outside of our current squad. This gives us a chance to see some of these players that have been on the edge of our squad a little closer and may answer some questions we have had on their performances at various tournaments in the last year or so.”

SKY SPORT WHITE SOX TRI-SERIES SCHEDULE

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DATE	GAME	RESULT		MEDIA
Saturday 24 October 2020 - 5pm	NZA vs JWSX	8-4		--
Saturday 24 October 2020 - 7pm	NZA vs JWSX	9-5		--
Sunday 25 October 2020 - 5pm	WSX vs JWSX	7-0 (5 innings)		Sky Sport 9
Sunday 25 October 2020 - 7pm	WSX vs NZA	1-2		Sky Sport 9
Monday 26 October 2020 - 11am	WSX vs JWSX	8-7		Sky Sport 9
Monday 26 October 2020 - 1pm	WSX vs NZA	1-2		Sky Sport 9

Sky Sport White Sox Tri-Series Winner - New Zealand A

 

SKY SPORT WHITE SOX TRI-SERIES

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19 October 2020

Sky Sport White Sox Head Coach Roman Gabriel will be eagerly awaiting the weekend ahead where New Zealand’s top female softball talent will be on show. This Labour Weekend will offer a feast of softball over three days including the Sky Sport White Sox, New Zealand A and the Junior White Sox in a six match series.
 
The double round robin schedule will be the first opportunity Gabriel has had to work with the wider White Sox squad since his appointment last December. As a consequence, the Female Tri-Series will provide the first step on a pathway through to the qualification of the 2028 Olympic Games.
 
Gabriel say’s “It’s been a long time coming but finally we are able to get together as a full squad. I am very happy we have this opportunity to see our athletes play. From our under 18's to our full White Sox squad. I think there should be some good games. The players might be a little rusty being early in the season but we are hoping the work we have asked them to do, on their own over the winter due to restrictions caused by Covid-19 will pay off and they play some good ball.”
 
“I am so excited about the two leaders we have selected. Lara Andrews being named captain of the White Sox and Rebecca Bromhead the Vice-Captain who will Captain the NZ A team at this event.  I think these two will lead our squad to the next level,” he says.
 
Labour Weekend will not only provide a platform for the White Sox to take the diamond but an opportunity for high performance testing.
 
Gabriel say’s “The athletes will be tested during the weekend and then will have to front up and play against each other and the juniors. I will be looking to see if they can bring the intensity after a long day of testing. Will be a good measure for us.”
 
Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox
Tyla Morrison, Kyla Bromhead, Mereana Makea, Krysta Hoani, Tyneesha Houkamau (Auckland), Otila Tavite, Pallas Potter, Ashley Johnston, Lara Andrews (C), Mikayla Lewin (Hutt Valley), Amy Begg, Nerissa McDowell, Mikayla Werahiko, Lucy McIntyre (Canterbury)
 
New Zealand A
Loran Parker, Brooke Whiteman, Ashley Scott, Rebecca Bromhead (C), Tenille Auimatagi, Pearl-Marli Waetford (Auckland), Denva Shaw-Tait, Yvonne Burgess, Erin Blackmore, Nanaia Matangi (Hutt Valley), Emma Francis, Hope Weber (Wellington), Brittany Terrey (Canterbury).
 
New Zealand Junior White Sox
Megan Sneddon, Maddison Gerbes, Shyah Hale, Lily Neilsen, Mikayla Cross, Meeki Cooper Nicole, Kiara lei-Lani, Innika Lambert-Hapuku
(Auckland), Lace Tangianau, Caitlyn Lewin, Maarire Puketapu, Kimihia Tangianau, Kiri Winiata-Enoka (Hutt Valley), Beyoncé Rehutai, Shyann Wairau (Wellington), Cherie Inwood, Alyssa Lory (Canterbury)
 
 
Labour Weekend Schedule
ELE Stadium, Albany
Sat 24 Oct: 5pm & 7pm - NZA vs JWSX, NZA vs JWSX
Sun 25 Oct: 5pm & 7pm - WSX vs JWSX, WSX vs NZA
Mon 26 Oct: 11am & 1pm - WSX vs JWSX, WSX vs NZA
 
All four White Sox games will be filmed live and broadcast on Sky Sport 9.

WHITE SOX TRAINING SQUAD NAMED

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23 March 2020

SKY Sport New Zealand White Sox Head Coach Roman Gabriel has named a squad of 40 athletes following the early conclusion of the domestic softball season.
 
“I am excited to announce our first training squad for 2020. Fellow coaches Tupuivao, Hale and myself are pleased with the mix of athletes we have named and are looking forward to some hard work and pushing each other to be better.” Say’s Gabriel.
 
The squad sees the recall of a number of former White Sox players along with several players that attended the U-19 World Cup in Irvine last year. In addition, 5 athletes undertaking college scholarships in America have also been included in the squad.
 
Gabriel say’s “We have selected a few young players in line with our strategy to develop athletes for the future. Making this squad does not guarantee these athletes selection for future teams, and likewise, athletes not named are still in contention for spots come selection time.”
 
“There is a long term goal to qualify for the 2028 Olympics, so for this to happen we need to start now.  With this group we are hoping they set the tone for all players in the country to be Olympians. I am wanting to get in front of all our players from 14-20 years old and provide them an insight of our vision, as they are the ones that will be leading the New Zealand team in future years in order to get us to the Olympics.”
 
“We were scheduled to have a camp in May, but unfortunately due to the Coronavirus situation it has been postponed. In due course we will provide the players with an outline of future events once things have become a little clearer.” He says.
 
SKY Sport New Zealand White Sox 2020 Training Squad:

Tenille Auimatagi, Kyla Bromhead, Rebecca Bromhead, Shyah Hale, Krysta Hoani, Tyneesha Houkamau, Mereana Makea, Pearl-Marli Waetford, Tyla Morrison, Katrina Nukunuku, Loran Parker, Beth Reid, Ashley Scott, Zoe Tolhopf, Brooke Whiteman (Auckland), Lara Andrews, Erin Blackmore, Yvonne Burgess, Ashley Johnston, Caitlyn Lewin, Maarire Puketapu-Barnett, Otila Tavite, Kiri Winiata-Enoka (Hutt Valley), Emma Francis, Beyonce Rehutai, Jardene Tipa, Hope Weber (Wellington), Amy Begg, Meg Glading, Cherie Inwood, Nerissa McDowell, Lucy McIntyre, Mikayla Weraihiko (Canterbury), Tania Puketapu, Ancelle van Molendorff (Australia), Pallas Potter, Mikayla Lewin (Florida, USA), Denva Shaw-Tait (Pennsylvania, USA), Brittany Terrey (Utah, USA) and Reegan Leppien (Arizona, USA).

 

SISTER CITIES NZ SPECIAL EDITION NEWSLETTER

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3 February 2020

Click here to view

SKY SPORT WHITE SOX DEPART FOR BLACKTOWN

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29 January 2020

Results and information

• Full schedule
• Softball Australia Facebook page
• Softball Australia website

SOFTBALL GREATS JOIN WHITE SOX COACHING STAFF

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7 January 2020

SKY Sport White Sox Head Coach Roman Gabriel has armed himself with two of the game’s greats in Melisa Tupuivao and Donny Hale.

Tupuivao and Hale who both have distinguished careers in their own rights have been appointed Assistant Coaches for the White Sox through to the end of the WBSC 2021 World Championship campaign.

A former White Sox Olympian and Softball NZ Hall of Famer, Tupuivao is hugely respected within the game and will provide a strong coaching presence from a female perspective. Tupuivao will be the first female White Sox Assistant Coach since Debbie Mygind in 2014.

Tupuivao say’s “I’m very honoured and thankful to be given this opportunity and very excited to be working with Roman and the White Sox management team. And I am especially excited to get in there and work with the White Sox players through this journey.”

Hale a three time world champion with the Black Sox in 2000, 2004 and 2013 will bring an enormous amount of experience to the programme particularly in the hitting department where he was one of the world’s best. The former Ramblers women’s coach will also take the reigns as the teams Battery Coach.

Hale say’s “it’s an honour to have this opportunity to be a part of the White Sox programme. I look forward to working with Roman, Melisa, the Manager and Athletes as we work towards qualifying for the 2021 WBSC Women’s Championships.”

 

SKY SPORT NEW ZEALAND WHITE SOX TO AUSTRALIA PACIFIC CUP NAMED

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6 January 2020

Roman Gabriel has named his first team under his tenure as White Sox Head Coach.
 
Gabriel has named 15 players to compete in the Australia Pacific Cup, 30th January to 2nd of February at Blacktown International Sportspark.
 
“The team is a mixed collection of some new faces and some experienced players.” Say’s Gabriel.
 
“Good performances by Brooke Whiteman, Nerissa McDowell and Otila Tavite at the recent under 23 nationals in Christchurch have seen a call up and their debut for the women’s national team. The recall of the likes of the Bromhead sisters Rebecca and Kyla will help lead these younger players alongside the current experienced players such as Lara Andrews, Krysta Hoani and Mereana Makea who have been in the team a while now.” He says.
 
The White Sox will have a hefty challenge as they take on 4 of the 6 Olympic teams including; Australia, Japan, Italy and Mexico. Chinese Taipei and New Zealand will make up the remaining two spots.
Gabriel say’s “we will look to name a wider squad later in the year as we start our journey towards the 2021 World Cup, but for now these players have an amazing opportunity to play against some of the top teams in the world. So I hope this group realise how lucky they are as it was very tough to narrow the selection of players in front of us down to only 15.
 
I am very excited to get started with this group of athletes. Ideally it would have been good to initially work with the wider squad, but an opportunity like this does not come around often so you have to take those
opportunities when you can.”
 
SKY Sport New Zealand White Sox

Pitchers:
Tyla Morrison (Auckland)
Amy Begg (Canterbury)
Loran Parker (Auckland)

Catchers:
Otila Tavite (Hutt Valley)
Kyla Bromhead (Auckland)

Infield:
Lara Andrews (Hutt Valley)
Ashley Johnston (Hutt Valley)
Caitlyn Lewin (Hutt Valley)
Brooke Whiteman (Auckland)

Outfield:
Krysta Hoani (Auckland)
Nerissa McDowell (Canterbury)

Utilities:
Mereana Makea (Auckland)
Rebecca Bromhead (Auckland)
Lucy McIntyre (Canterbury)
Erin Blackmore (Hutt Valley)
 

ROMAN GABRIEL APPOINTED HEAD COACH OF SKY SPORT WHITE SOX

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20 December 2019

Softball New Zealand is very pleased to announce the appointment of Roman Gabriel as the new Head Coach of the SKY Sport New Zealand White Sox.
 
Gabriel a member of the 2004 world champion Black Sox team will call on a lifetime of softball experience as he leads the White Sox through to the WBSC World Championships in 2021.
 
“Obviously it is a huge honor. To represent your country as a player or coach is massive in my eyes. Not everyone gets to do that, so all I can hope is that I do a good job for the country, team and my family,” say’s Gabriel.
 
The international stage is an environment Gabriel knows well given his previous roles as Assistant Coach for the White Sox. Gabriel served under Mike Walsh and Black Sox legend Dean Rice attending world championships in 2006 China, and 2010 Venezuela.
 
Gabriel say’s “I want to thank Softball NZ for giving me this opportunity, which I am very excited about. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and getting together with the athletes and working on our campaign towards the 2021 World Cup, and hopefully beyond.”
 
Softball NZ CEO, Tony Giles say’s “It's a new era and an exciting time for the White Sox and the female programme”.
 
“Roman Gabriel is highly regarded and an acquisition the softball community can all be excited about. The task will be challenging but there is no doubt Gabriel’s high values, knowledge and work ethic will take the team forward,” Giles said.
 
A former Auckland Marist player and current coach of the premier women’s team, Gabriel learnt his trade from some of the games greats, moulding knowledge into his own coaching style.
 
“I would like to thank all my past coaches, team mates and players I have coached for helping me along my softball journey and for moulding me into the coach I am today. I have learnt so much from all of them and I guess this appointment is a good recognition of their influence on me.
 
I have to thank my family. Without the support of my Mum Anita, siblings Anthea and Francine, wife Kalala and our 3 children (Lakita-Rose, Arthur and Telesia)  none of this would be possible. I just hope I can do them proud, especially my biggest influence in softball, my late Dad Arthur Gabriel,” says Gabriel.
 
 

SKY SPORT WHITE SOX TO ATTEND ASIA PACIFIC CUP

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30 November 2019

Softball New Zealand will once again support the Asia Pacific Cup in Blacktown, Australia by sending a New Zealand team to the event. The international event will commence on Thursday 30th January through to Sunday 2nd of February 2020 at Blacktown International Sports Park.

This four day world class event will showcase 4 of the 6 qualified Olympic teams including Australia, Japan, Italy and Mexico. Chinese Taipei and New Zealand will make up the remaining two spots.

The 2020 Asia Pacific Cup will provide an opportunity to develop a wider pool of players for future SKY Sport White Sox campaigns.

As per last year, the Summer Slam – Fully Loaded competition will follow the AP Cup. The event will also be held at the Blacktown International Sports Park in Sydney and run from 3 – 5 February 2020.

The high performance event, for open women’s players, will feature six franchised teams made up of Australia’s elite women’s softball representatives who will be joined by international players from several of the world’s top 12 ranked teams.

 

SKY SPORT WHITE SOX

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14 October 2019

Softball New Zealand and Sky Sport have agreed a revolutionary new partnership deal for Softball.

After considerable negotiations, Softball NZ have entered into a multiyear agreement with Sky Television for the naming rights of the New Zealand White Sox softball team.

“This ground breaking partnership represents significant investment of the female game in New Zealand and is a paradigm shift for the elite female pathway programme” says Softball NZ CEO, Tony Giles.

Sport Relationship Manager at Sky, Cathryn Oliver, says: “In line with our commitment to support more women in sport, we’re delighted to be the new naming sponsor of the White Sox. Sky is committed to supporting and enhancing local sports teams, and our sponsorship of the White Sox follows our support for the Tall Ferns, Phoenix, Warriors women, the Kiwis, the Kiwi Ferns, the Junior Kiwis and the Sky Sport Breakers,” says Oliver.

The Sky Sport White Sox just missed Olympic Qualification last month in Shanghai, China, and remain the highest ranked (11) non-funded team in the world.

"We are confident the support of New Zealand’s premier sport broadcaster will assist the step-change required to drive the group towards podium potential for future pinnacle events” says Giles.
The new commercial partnership will see Sky own naming rights of the Sky Sport White Sox for an initial 3 year period, with a multiyear extension opportunity.

Official Website 
Live Streaming
 

DATE (NZ TIME)	GAME (Streamed)	RESULT		MEDIA	ISCORE
Tuesday 24 September - 7.00 pm	New Zealand vs China	3-8
Wednesday 25 September - 9.30 pm	Korea vs New Zealand	1-5
Thursday 26 September - 4.30 pm	Philippines vs New Zealand	1-0

 

TWO PLAYERS JOIN WHITE SOX FOR SHANGHAI 2020 OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

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3 August 2019

Head Coach Kevin Gettins has named Auckland based player Zoe Tolhopf and Hutt Valley’s Ashley Johnston to complete the 15 player White Sox team to seek Olympic qualification in Shanghai in September.

Coach Gettins named a 14 strong team earlier this year, and when outfielder Kelley Renner withdrew due to injury, two spots became available. 

The White Sox will depart on 14 September for Japan for a warm up tour before arriving in Shanghai on 22 September. The Olympic qualification tournament will be held from 24 – 29 September between eight teams from Oceania and Asia. Confirmed teams include:

Pool A: China, New Zealand, Philippines and Korea
Pool B: Chinese Taipei, Australia, Indonesia and Hong Kong

The Europe/Africa qualification tournament was won by Italy who have punched their ticket for Tokyo 2020.  The qualifier in Utrecht included the top softball nations across Europe and Africa, including Botswana, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa and Spain.

Italy joins host nation Japan and the 2018 WBSC Softball World Champions, USA, as the first three nations qualified for the six-team Tokyo 2020 Olympic softball competition.

The remaining three nations will be determined at the next two WBSC Softball qualifiers. Two nations from the WBSC Softball Americas Qualifier will advance to the Olympic Games. Twelve nations will compete in the Americas qualifier, which will be held in Surrey, Canada, from 25 August to 1 September.

The winner of the eight-team WBSC Softball Asia/Oceania Qualifier will complete the field at Tokyo 2020. This intercontinental qualifier will be held in Shanghai, China, from 24-28 September.

Softball will have the honour of kicking off next year’s Olympic Games on 22 July with special opening games at Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium.

New Zealand White Sox team to compete at the Shanghai Olympic Qualifier:
Zoe Tolhopf, Krysta Hoani, Kingsley Avery, Jennifer Feret-Brear (Auckland), Rita Hokianga , Melanie Gettins (Hawkes Bay), Lara Andrews, Ashley Johnston (Hutt Valley), Mereana Makea (Wellington), Mikayla Werahiko (Canterbury), Ancelle van Molendorff (Brisbane/Auckland), Courtney Gettins (Alabama/Hawkes Bay), Stefanie Smith, Hailey Breakwell (California, USA), Pallas Potter (Florida/Hutt Valley)


 

WSX TEAM NAMED FOR ASIA/OCEANIA OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

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WBSC ASIA/OCEANIA SOFTBALL OLYMPIC QUALIFIER 

SUPPORTERS TOUR PACKAGES

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03 February 2019

Supporters Tour Packages

WHITE SOX APPOINT TOP PITCHING COACH

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14 December 2018

New Zealand White Sox have made a significant coup in securing the services of former Australian women’s pitcher Kelly Hardie.

Hardie a two time bronze medal Olympian has racked up numerous medals and accolades throughout her extensive pitching and coaching career.

The Softball Australia Hall of Famer will be a welcomed addition to the White Sox coaching staff given the challenges the team faced at the WBSC World Champs in Chiba, Japan last August.

Hardie will join the team for the upcoming Asia Pacific Cup late next month in Sydney where she will have the opportunity to work with a new look White Sox team against some of the best teams in the world. As the Aussie Spirit Battery Coach from 2011-2018 Hardie will provide invaluable insights and a wealth of knowledge into the international game for the New Zealand White Sox.

“I am honoured and excited to work with the New Zealand White Sox program. The White Sox women's programme has a long and rich history in the sport of softball, winning a World championship in 1982.  I trust that I can bring a level of professionalism and structure to the battery program and provide an environment that is conducive to success at international level”, says Hardie.
 

WHITE SOX TEAM FOR THE ASIA PACIFIC CUP

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10 December 2018

Head Coach Kevin Gettins is pleased to announce the following team for the Asia Pacific Cup from 31 January to 3 February 2019. All White Sox players will stay on and be included in one of the franchise teams to play in the Softball Australia Summer Slam from 4 – 6 February. Tour dates are 30 Jan to 7 February 2019.

The Asia Pacific tournament is an international women’s fastpitch softball event which will feature NZ White Sox, Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Italy and Japan. It is played at the Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney.

Immediately after the Asia Pacific tournament, Softball Australia will host its inaugural Summer Slam. The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball is a game changer for the sport of softball in Australia, and around the world, offering shorter games, more action, less downtime and more runs scored. The high performance event, for open women’s players, will feature six franchised teams made up of Australia’s elite women’s softball representatives who will be joined by international players from several of the world’s top 12 ranked teams.

“The Asia Pacific Cup and Summer Slam is a fantastic way to expose new players to elite international softball”, remarks Coach Gettins who has selected future players in Caitlyn Lewin, Otila Tavite and Beth Reid, who will join Tyler Morrison and Mckensie Giles-Martin in their first international appearances for the White Sox. The new caps join experienced international players  Mel Gettins, Lara Andrews, Jennifer Feret-Brear, Mereana Makea and welcomes the return of Ashley Johnson, Zoe Tolhopf and Loren Parker.

NZ White Sox - Full Team
Aria Tawha (Auckland)
Ashley Johnston (Hutt Valley)
Beth Reid (Auckland)
Caitlyn Lewin (Hutt Valley)
Danica Ferriso (Hutt Valley)
Erin Blackmore (Hutt Valley)
Jennifer Feret-Brear (Auckland)
Lara Andrews (Hutt Valley)
Loren Parker (Auckland)
Lucy McIntyre (Canterbury)
Melanie Gettins (Hawkes Bay)
Mereana Makea (Wellington)
Otila Tavite (Hutt Valley)
Tyler Morrison (Auckland)
Zoe Tolhopf (Auckland)

WHITE SOX TO COMPETE IN SUMMER SLAM - FULLY LOADED

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23 Nov, 2018

The New Zealand White Sox have accepted an invite to be included in Softball Australia’s Summer Slam - Fully Loaded competition.

The New Event will be held annually, immediately after the Asia Pacific Cup, to utilise Australian and international players participating in that event.

In 2019, the Asia Pacific Cup will be held from Thursday, 31 January to Sunday, 3 February, with the New Event from Monday, 4 February to Wednesday, 6 February. Both events will be held at Blacktown International Sportspark in NSW.

The New Event will be softball’s version of the 20/20 Cricket phenomenon, offering a unique format with shorter games, more action, less downtime and more runs scored. The new format will provide a high-pressure environment for players in an international standard of play, leading to positive high performance outcomes.

Game Format

New rules will be in place to keep the games action packed and to speed up the game, including:

• Runners starting on base each innings
• No warm-up pitches between innings
• No offensive or defensive conferences for coaches
• After each out, the ball goes directly back to the pitcher, rather than being thrown around the diamond by the fielding team
• The homerun fence distance will be reduced (distance TBC), to increase the number of homeruns and runs scored in the game
• Shorter three-innings game
• • If scores are tied after three innings, a tiebreaker innings, with one out per team, will be
• played to determine a winner

Teams
Each of the six teams will consist of 14 players and 3 team staff. The team staff will be made up of a Head Coach, an Assistant Coach and a Team Manager. A locally based scorer will also be allocated to each team, for game time only, to reduce costs, whilst there will be physiotherapists available to support the teams.

The 14 players on each team will be a mix of Australian and international players. Softball Australia will select each of the teams, with input from national selectors. The first priority in selecting the teams will be to ensure that each team has enough pitchers – ideally three per team. Once pitchers in the Australian Squad and international pitchers from the Asia Pacific Cup have been allocated across the six teams, if there is a shortage, additional pitchers from across
Australia, including from the Australian U19 Squad, can be added to the teams.

The remaining positions will then be filled from the remaining pool of athletes from the Australian Squad and international players from the Asia Pacific Cup.

Softball Australia will select the team officials for each team.

The Summer Slam - Fully Loaded Softball on FOX NEWS

 

WHITE SOX TO ATTEND THE ASIA PACIFIC CUP

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DATE (NZ TIME)	GAME (Streamed)	RESULT		MEDIA	ISCORE
Fri 3 Aug, 9 PM	Chinese Taipei	4-7 (L)		BOX	ISCORE
Sat 4 Aug, 9 PM	Netherlands	5-10 (L)		BOX	ISCORE
Sun 5 Aug, 9 PM	USA	0-7 (L)		BOX	ISCORE
Mon 6 Aug, 3.30 PM	South Africa	6-0 (W)		BOX	ISCORE
Tue 7 Aug, 1.00 PM	Puerto Rico	1-4 (L)		BOX	ISCORE
Tue 7 Aug, 9 PM	Mexico	0-1 (L)		BOX	ISCORE
Wed 8 Aug, 3.30 PM	Philippines	2-0 (W)		BOX	ISCORE
PLACEMENT ROUND	Venezuela	0-4 (L)		BOX	ISCORE
Final placing - 13th

KEY INFORMATION

• XVI Women's Softball World Championship website
• New Zealand White Sox webpage
• Softball New Zealand Facebook 
• Live Streaming (all games)
• Messages of support to the Team Manager here
• Download Complete Schedule
   

 

Click here to  follow the White Sox at the Canada Cup
 

WHITE SOX WORLD CHAMPS STATISTICS

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14 August 2018

Final Statistics from the Women's World Series held in Japan - Download

 

WHITE SOX DEPART FOR CANADA AND THE WORLD CHAMPS

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13 July 2018

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

KEY INFORMATION

• Canada Cup website
• New Zealand White Sox webpage
• Softball New Zealand Facebook
• Messages of support to the Team Manager here

 

NZ WHITE SOX TEAM TO COMPETE AT THE WBSC WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, CHIBA, JAPAN 2018

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WHITE SOX KEEP SELECTION OPEN FOR WOMEN’S SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

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The New Zealand White Sox are taking a different approach from previous years in selecting a squad for the 2018 women’s world softball championships in Japan in August.

Head coach Kevin Gettins has opted to name 21 players – with four to be omitted in early June to fill the 17-maximum world tournament roster.

Gettins said the rationale was two-fold.

“From our review of our preparation for the last World Championships in 2016 and our trip to Japan last year we identified some areas we thought we could improve on and do better. One of them was the preparation leading up to the World Championships. By naming an extended squad we want to keep some tension within the group to keep everyone striving for selection,’’ he says.

“Going back over the years on all World Championships I have attended we’ve had to bring in players because someone has pulled out for various reasons.

“This way, we’ll have players who will have been training hard into June if the need arises.’’

Gettins said keeping selection open for another two months would allow some players with niggly injuries to recover.
Former White Sox captain Katrina Nukunuku’s name is missing from the 21-member squad after playing at four world championships since 2006.

Gettins said competition had been hot for Nukunuku’s third base role. “Over the last few years we have developed some depth in key positions”.

“Katrina’s been a great servant for the White Sox over the years, but Lara Andrews has had an outstanding season being rewarded as MVP at the interclub tournament and NFC, Lara also led Hutt Valley to win the National Fastpitch Championships.

“Mikayla Werahiko can cover shortstop, third base and outfield and Mereana Makea can play third base, second base or the outfield too.

“It’s no reflection on Katrina, but we just didn’t see her fitting in there this time.’’

The White Sox squad features nine American-based players, including four of the six pitchers – 21-year-old college scholarship holders Courtney Gettins (University of Alabama) and Amy Begg (Morgan State University), White and recent graduate Taylor Paige-Stewart.

Gettins expects the White Sox to take five pitchers in the 17-strong world championships squad.

He has named four catchers in the provisional group, Melanie Gettins, Kyla Bromhead and Stefanie Smith – who were in the 2016 team – and young Aucklander Zoe Tolhopf. “At the last World Championships we took three catchers and this is another area we want to go back and have another look at before finalising the makeup of the squad.”

Other American-based players include current White Sox Captain and middle infielder Ellie Cooper, Hailey Breakwell, Werahiko, Makea and speedy Californian outfielder Kelley Renner.

Makea, Renner and first base Pallas Potter have been promoted from the 2017 New Zealand Junior White Sox under-19 team.

Gettins said other young players were knocking on the White Sox selection door, including Hutt Valley trio Denva Shaw-Tait, Mikayla Lewin and Otila Tavite and Brisbane-based pitcher-third base Erin Blackmore.

“This season we exposed these players to International softball and they all performed well, their time will come, as well.’’

The White Sox still have a comparatively young squad with only Feret-Brear, Smith and Bromhead over 30.
Most of the younger players already have international experience with Werahiko and Hutt Valley utility Danica Ferriso – both still in their early 20s – in line to attend their third senior world championships.

Coach Gettins will name the final 17-strong squad in the first week of June.

The White Sox will assemble in Surrey, British Columbia on July 12 to compete in the Canada Cup International Fastpitch Championships.

They head to Chiba, Japan for the 2018 World Baseball Softball Council (WBSC) world championships from August 2-12, which is expected to be a key qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
 

NEW ZEALAND WHITE SOX - 2018 SQUAD PITCHERS: Taylor-Paige Stewart (University of Wisconsin/California), Rita Hokianga (Flaxmere/ Hawke’s Bay), Courtney Gettins (University of Alabama/Hawke’s Bay), Amy Begg (Morgan State University/Canterbury), Jennifer Feret-Brear (Western Magpies,/Auckland), Nyree White (Mt Albert Ramblers/Oregon). CATCHERS: Melanie Gettins (Flaxmere/Hawke’s Bay), Kyla Bromhead (Waitakere Bears/Auckland), Stefanie Smith (Howick/Auckland), Zoe Tolhopf (Howick/Auckland). INFIELDERS: Pallas Potter (Te Aroha/Hutt Valley), Mikayla Werahiko (University of Maryland/ Canterbury), Ellie Cooper (Florida State University/Missouri), Lara Andrews (Te Aroha/Hutt Valley), Hailey Breakwell (Wichita State University/California), Danica Ferriso (Dodgers/Hutt Valley). OUTFIELDERS: Kingsley Avery (Western Magpies/Auckland), Ancelle van Molendorff (Waitakere Bears/Brisbane), Kelley Renner (University of California San Diego/California), Mereana Makea (Florida South Western State College/Wellington), Krysta Hoani (Otahuhu/Auckland).

(Four players to be omitted in the first week in June).
 

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SUPPORTERS TOUR

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19 February 2018

Supporters Travel Packages available.  Chiba, Japan 1-13 August 2018.

2018 WOMENS SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - Supp...

WHITE SOX VS OREGON DUCKS GAME SCHEDULE

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AKINA PARK, HASTINGS

Wednesday 20, December
Game 1: Oregon 4 vs NZ Selection 2
Game 2: Oregon 9 vs NZ Selection 4


ROSEDALE PARK, ALBANY

Friday 15, December
Game 1: Oregon 7 vs White Sox 0
Game 2: Oregon  6  vs White Sox 4

Saturday 16, December
Game 3: Oregon  3 vs White Sox 2
iscore here
Game 4: Oregon  8  vs White Sox 2
iscore here

Sunday 17, December
Game 5: Oregon 3 vs White Sox 1
iscore here
Game 6: White Sox 4 vs Oregon 3
iscore here

Cost "free"

NZ SELECTION TEAM NAMED TO PLAY OREGON DUCKS

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27 Nov, 2017

The NZ Selection team has been named to play the Oregon Ducks on 20 December 2017 at Akina Park in Hastings at 4pm and 6pm.

The team is a mix of established White Sox team members and young emerging national players. Carl Tuinenga, the newly appointed Junior White Sox head coach will travel to Hastings to coach the team.

NZ Selection Team:
Amy Begg (Canterbury), Beth Reid, Katrina Nukunuku, Maddy Roy (Auckland), Courtney Gettins, Rita Hokianga, Mel Gettins (Hawkes Bay), Denva Shaw-Tait, Mikayla Lewin, Pallas Potter (Hutt Valley), Mereana Makea (Wellington), Pania Monk (Waikato), Ellie Copper (Missouri, USA) Kelley Renner, Hailey Breakwell (California, USA).

 

WHITE AND FERET-BREAR OUT OF OREGON SERIES

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21 Nov, 2017

Nyree White and Jennifer Feret-Brear have withdraw from the Oregon Series next month due to injury.
Coach Gettins has replaced them with; Taylor-Paige Stewart, Pallas Potter and Loran Parker.

WHITE SOX TEAMS FOR CHINESE TAIPEI & ASIA PACIFIC CUP

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7 Nov, 2017


White Sox vs Chinese Taipei

Aaria Tawha, Breanna Gibson, Jennifer Feret-Brear, Kingsley Avery, Kyla Bromhead, Loran Parker, Meg Glading, Nyree White (Auckland), Pallas Potter, Danica Ferriso, Denva Shaw-Tait, Lara Andrews, Mikayla Lewin (Hutt Valley) Rita Hokianga (Hawkes Bay), Shannon Hearne (Perth, Australia)
 

White Sox to Asia Pacific 2018

Aaria Tawha, Zoe Tolhopf, Jennifer Feret-Brear, Katrina Nukunuku, Kingsley Avery, Krysta Hoani, Kyla Bromhead, Loran Parker, Nyree White (Auckland)
Pallas Potter, Danica Ferriso, Denva Shaw-Tait, Mikayla Lewin (Hutt Valley) Rita Hokianga (Hawkes Bay), Shannon Hearne (Perth, Australia)

2018 Asia Pacific Cup Draw

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON SOFTBALL TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND

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Friday 15 Dec

• Double Header with White Sox 6pm and 8pm at Rosedale North Harbour

Saturday 16 Dec

• Double Header with White Sox 3pm and 5pm at Rosedale North Harbour

Sunday 17 Dec

• Double Header with White Sox 11am and 1pm at Rosedale North Harbour

Wednesday 20 Dec

• Skills clinics with school kids at Akina Park
• Double header 4pm and 6pm versus a New Zealand Selection (times TBC)

BLACK SOX GREAT MICHAEL WHITE BRINGING US COLLEGE TEAM HOME TO PLAY DAUGHTER NYREE'S WHITE SOX SQUAD

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12 July, 2017

New Zealand White Sox pitcher Nyree White is set to play against a top American college team coached by her father - Black Sox pitching great Mike White.

Head coach Kevin Gettins confirmed the White Sox would host White's University of Oregon team in a series at Auckland's Rosedale Park in December.

Oregon were the fourth-ranked team in the United States in 2017 and made their fourth trip to the prestigious College Women's Softball World Series since White became head coach eight seasons ago.

Gettins said Oregon would provide the White Sox with tough opposition at the start of a busy international season leading up to the 2018 world championships in Japan.

"Oregon are one of the top teams in America," he said. It'll be a great test for us and good for Nyree to play against a team coached by her dad."

Nyree White, who grew up in Oregon, pitched for Stanford University and joined the White Sox for the first time on their Japanese tour last winter. She is playing club softball with Ramblers in Auckland this year.

Four White Sox squad members - pitcher Taylor-Paige Stewart, catchers Mel Gettins and Zoe Tolhopf and utility Krysta Hoani recently went to Oregon for a training camp.

Gettins said the White Sox would also play in the New Zealand under-19 boys tournament in Christchurch in early January in a bid to prepare for a six-nation tournament in Australia in February.

"The Down Under tournament in Sydney has been branded as the Asia Pacific Cup with Japan, China, Chinese Taipei and Italy joining Australia and New Zealand," he said.

Gettins said Chinese Taipei had also expressed an interest in playing a series in New Zealand after the Asia Pacific Cup.

"It's shaping up to a pretty big year.

"The White Sox haven't played in New Zealand for a while so it will be good to expose them to the softball public again."

The White Sox have named a 31-member training squad and have selected two groups to play against Oregon and in the under-19 boys tournament.

Gettins said "player availability has been challenging". "The amount of time we are asking them to get off work is huge, but we are able to get some of our US-based players back."

Infielder Hailey Breakwell (now an assistant-coach at Wichita State University and Gettins' daughter Courtney, a pitcher at the University of Alabama, will be back for both tournaments. Captain Ellie Cooper, who is on the coaching staff at her Florida State University alma mater, will return for the under-19s.

"We couldn't get Ellie over in time for the Oregon series and Mikayla Werahiko can't get back for either from Maryland University, which is a shame because she covers shortstop, third base and the outfield."

Stewart, who is training to be a doctor in California, will be added to either the Oregon series squad or the under-19 tournament team.

Gettins has promoted four  members of the Junior White Sox's 2017 under-19 world championships team - Renner and Hutt Valley trio Denva Tait-Shaw, Mikayla Lewin and Pallas Potter in the wider training squad.

Shaw has a shot at becoming New Zealand's first third-generation softball international with her mother, Kiri Shaw, and grandmother Naomi Shaw both former White Sox captains.

AT A GLANCE

NZ White Sox softball squads

v Oregon Ducks (December 15-17 at Albany).

Pitchers: Jennifer Feret-Brear, Courtney Gettins, Rita Hokianga, Nyree White. Catchers: Mel Gettins, Zoe Tolhopf. Infielders-outfielders: Ancelle van Molendorff, Danica Ferriso, Hailey Breakwell, Kelley Renner, Kingsley Avery, Krysta Hoani, Lara Andrews, Mereana Makea.

For NZ under-19 boys tournament (January 4-7 in Christchurch).

Pitchers: C Gettins, White, Feret-Brear, Amy Begg, Pania Monk. Catchers: M Gettins, Tolhopf. Infielder-outfielders: Ellie Coper, Breakwell, van Molendorff, Renner, Avery.

Wider raining squad: Aaria Tawha (Auckland), Amy Begg (Canterbury/Morgan State University), Ancelle van Molendorff (Brisbane), Breanna Gibson (Auck), Charlotte Tuala (Hutt Valley), Courtney Gettins (Hawke's Bay/University of Alabama), Danica Ferriso (HV), Denva Shaw-Tait (HV), Ellie Cooper (US), Emma Francis (Wellington), Hailey Breakwell (US), Jennifer Feret-Brear (Auck), Katrina Nukunuku (Auck), Kelley Renner (US), Kingsley Avery (Auck), Krysta Hoani (Auck), Kyla Bromhead (Auck), Lara Andrews (HV), Loran Parker (Auck), Meg Glading (Auck), Mel Gettins (Hawke's Bay), Mereana Makea (Wellington/Florida South Western College), Mikayla Lewin (HV), Mikayla Werahiko (Canterbury/Maryland University), Nyree White (Auck), Pallas Potter (HV), Pania Monk (Waikato/Eastern Arizona College), Rita Hokianga (HB), Shannon Hearne (Perth), Taylor-Paige Stewart (California), Zoe Tolhopf (Auck).

WHITE SOX DEPART FOR ARDUOUS TOUR OF JAPAN

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As the Golden Homes Black Sox took care of Japan at the men’s world championships in Canada this morning the New Zealand women’s team departed for Japan.

The White Sox face an arduous 14 day tour of Japan that will include sixteen practice games with the Japan Woman's League Softball teams Bic Camera Takasaki, Honda, Toda Medics, Taiyo Yuden, and Hitachi, as well as the Japan U23 squad. Games will be staged at premier venues including the 2020 Olympic softball and baseball stadium.

The White Sox Management team will include Mike White, Head Coach of the University of Oregon Ducks, as a Specialist Coach. In addition, Mike Roberts of the University of Washington Huskies serves as the Pitching Coach. Both White and Roberts have just finished runs at the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City last month where they fell agonisingly close to making the best of three final. Oregon placed 3rd and Washington 4th.
In addition, Management will include former White Sox international Sina Hunkin as cultural liaison and interpreter through to the 2018 Women's World Championships. Hunkin is currently in Japan with partner and former Black Sox star Donny Hale. Sina will meet the team on arrival and provide valuable guidance of Japanese culture and protocols as well as practical information throughout the journey.

Pitchers Pania Monk and Loren Parker have been added to the touring team to replace Taylor-Paige Stewart who has withdrawn due to personal reasons and Jennifer Feret-Brear who is injured.

Head Coach Kevin Gettins is pleased with the schedule as it will meet the goals of providing exposure to the White Sox in the elite Japanese environment.

The New Zealand White Sox squad for the July tour of Japan.
Pitchers: Amy Begg (Morgan State University), Courtney Gettins (Florida South Western), Pania Monk, Loran Parker (Auckland), Nyree White (Oregon, USA), Rita Hokianga (Hawke's Bay),
Catchers: Melanie Gettins (Hawke's Bay), Meg Gladding, Kyla Bromhead, Zoe Tolhopf (Auckland).
Infielders: Ellie Cooper (Florida State University), Hailey Breakwell (California, USA), Lara Andrews (Hutt Valley), Mikayla Werahiko (Florida South Western), Danica Ferriso (Hutt Valley), Katrina Nukunuku (Auckland), Shannon Hearne (Perth).
Outfielders: Charlotte Tuala (Hutt Valley), Kingsley Avery, Ancelle van Molendorff, Krysta Hoani (Auckland).

PLANNING SCHEDULE FOR WHITE SOX TOUR OF JAPAN

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Day	Date	Time	Place	Activity	Venue
	12/07/2017
1	Wed		Narita Airport	Arrive at Narita airport on NZ#99
			Chiba/Ichihara	Stay at Ichihara city
	13/07/2017	AM	Hotel	Meeting	Meeting room
2	Thu	PM	Chiba/Kimitsu	Practice	Koito Sports Park
	14/07/2017
3	Fri	All day	Chiba/Kimitsu	Practice	Koito Sports Park
	15/07/2017			Practice matches with JAPAN U23 team
4	Sat	AM	Chiba/Ichihara	10:00 Game 1 (Loss 2 - 3)	Z.A. Ballpark *
		PM		13:00 Game 2 (Loss 0 - 7)
	16/07/2017			Practice matches with JAPAN U23 team
5	Sun	AM	Chiba/Ichihara	10:00 Game 1 (Loss 1 - 12)	Z.A. Ballpark *
		PM		13:00 Game 2 (Loss 0 - 7)
	17/07/2017			Practice matches with JAPAN U23 team
6	Mon		Chiba/Ichihara	10:00 Game 1 (Loss 0 - 7)	Yorogawa Rinkai 1
				13:00 Game 2 (Loss 0 - 9)
	18/07/2017
7	Tue		Off day	Off day	Koito Sports Park
	19/07/2017			Practice matches with JWSL team
8	Wed	AM	Chiba/Kimitsu	10:00 Game 1 (Bic Camera Takasaki)	Koito Sports Park
		PM		13:00 Game 2 (Bic Camera Takasaki)
	20/07/2017			Practice matches with JWSL team
9	Thu	AM	Chiba/Kimitsu	10:00 Game 1 (HONDA)	Koito Sports Park
		PM		13:00 Game 2 (HONDA)
	21/07/2017
10	Fri	AM	Chiba/Kimitsu	AM Practice	Koito Sports Park
		PM		Practice match with JWSL team
				13:00 Toda Medics
	22/07/2017			Practice matches with JWSL team
11	Sat	AM	Chiba/Kimitsu	10:00 Game 1 (Taiyo Yuden)	Koito Sports Park
		PM		13:00 Game 2 (Taiyo Yuden)
	23/07/2017			Practice matches with JWSL team
12	Sun	AM	Chiba/Ichihara	10:00 Game 1 (Hitachi)	Z.A. Ballpark *
		PM		13:00 Game 2 (Hitachi)
	24/07/2017
13	Mon	AM	Chiba/Ichihara	AM Practice	Z.A. Ballpark *
		PM	Off day	Off day
	25/07/2017	daytime	Off day	Off day
14	Tue
		18:30	Narita	Leave Narita airport on NZ#90

 

WHITE SOX NAME KIWI PITCHING GREAT MIKE WHITE'S DAUGHTER FOR JAPAN TOUR

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8 Mar
 

Black Sox pitching great Mike White's daughter Nyree is set to make her debut for the New Zealand White Sox squad.

The 24-year-old former Stanford University hurler is one of seven pitchers named in a 22-strong squad for a 12-day tour of Japan in July.

White Sox coach Kevin Gettins said White declared her availability after assisting her father at a series of pitching clinics in New Zealand last December.

"We had a chat around what she was looking to do in the future, and it all went from there," Gettins said.

"She will bring another dimension; she plays first base and hits, as well."

White was first selected in a New Zealand team in 2013 but later had to withdraw.

She was born in the United States and broke pitching and batting records at Marist High School in Eugene, Oregon where father Mike is based as head coach of the University of Oregon softball team after winning two world championships gold medals with the Black Sox and representing the United States.

Nyree White played for the United States junior team in 2011 before taking up a scholarship at Stanford, an Ivy League university in California.

She will join established White Sox Rita Hokianga, Courtney Gettins, Taylor Paige-Stewart and Jennifer Feret-Brear on the White Sox pitching staff. 

Coach Gettins has also added some promising hurlers, including Canterbury's Amy Begg, who has won two consecutive conference pitcher of the week awards in American college softball this season and Auckland's up and coming Tyla Morrison.

Both played for the White Sox at the under-19 boys' national championships and Morrison pitched Auckland to victory in the National Fastpitch Championships final last month.

Catcher Stef Smith is unavailable for family reasons, but senior White Sox Melanie Gettins and Kyla Bromhead will be joined behind the plate by Keri Simeon (Hutt Valley) and Zoe Tolhopf (Auckland).

Gettins said most of the topline White Sox were available for the "hectic" tour, which would involve 12 games in 12 days, "and training when we're not playing".

The tour was aimed at getting the players accustomed to the Japanese softball environment and general culture before next year's world championships in Chibu, Gettins said.

Seven of the squad are based in the United States, including captain Ellie Cooper, Lara Andrews, Hailey Breakwell and Mikayla Werahiko, who starred at the 2016 world championships.

AT A GLANCE 

The New Zealand White Sox squad for the July tour of Japan.

Pitchers: Amy Begg (Morgan State University/Canterbury), Courtney Gettins (Florida South Western/Hawke's Bay), Pania Monk, Loran Parker (Auckland), Nyree White (Oregon, USA), Rita Hokianga (Hawke's Bay),

Catchers: Melanie Gettins (Hawke's Bay), Meg Gladding (Auckland), Kyla Bromhead, Zoe Tolhopf (Auckland).

Infielders: Ellie Cooper (Florida State University), Hailey Breakwell (California, USA), Lara Andrews (Delaware/Hutt Valley), Mikayla Werahiko (Florida South Western/Canterbury), Danica Ferriso (Hutt Valley), Katrina Nukunuku (Auckland), Shannon Hearne (Perth).

Outfielders: Kingsley Avery (Auckland), Ancelle van Molendorff (Brisbane/Auckland), Charlotte Tuala (Hutt Valley), Krysta Hoani (Auckland).

BREANNA GIBSON TO MAKE WSX DEBUT

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1 February, 2016

Charlotte Pointon has withdrawn from the New Zealand White Sox team to compete at the Down Under International Series and has been replaced by Auckland based Breanna Gibson. Breanna recently celebrated her 200th game for premier women's club team Howick and will make her debut appearance for the White Sox in Sydney.

The Series includes national teams from Australia, Japan and New Zealand and will be held in Blacktown, Sydney from 9 - 12 February 2017. 

 

MEREANA MAKEA SET FOR FLORIDA

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31 December, 2016

It's been an emotional week for 18 year old Mereana Makea, as she departed New Zealand yesterday for the USA on a full ride softball scholarship. Makea will join her cousin Courtney Gettins, and former team mates Kayla Rangiawha and Mikayla Werahiko at Florida South Western Junior College. All 4 players last played together in 2015 at the World Championships in Oklahoma, USA for the NZ Junior White Sox.

The versatile player will leave behind her younger sister Marama to take care of business for their PK club in Wellington, both vying for a spot at the next World Championships to be held in Clearwater, Florida July 2017. For Makea it is the beginning of a life long aspiration to play in the USA.

New Zealand White Sox Coach Kevin Gettins " it is an exciting opportunity for Mereana to progress her softball dreams and gain an educational degree whilst playing the game she loves. The college system in the USA is very demanding with heavy practice time and a lot of games played, this will provide Mereana an opportunity to thrive and continue to work hard on her game. Mereana was identified by Coach Iamurri when he visited OKC at last years Junior World Championships to catch up with his other three New Zealand recruits.

We would like to wish Mereana and her team mates in Florida all the very best for their up and coming season...stay tuned!

WHITE SOX TEAM FOR DOWN UNDER SERIES ANNOUNCED

24 Dec, 2016

Coach Kevin Gettins has named a roster of 14 to compete at the Down Under Series, 8-12 February in Sydney next year.
The New Zealand White Sox will have a different look to the one that competed at the World Cup of Softball and the World Championships in North America last year with four new names set to make their debut for the silver fern. 

Auckland short stops Aieesha Hooper and Nita Hickey will replace the unavailable Hailey Breakwell while catchers Aria Tawhai and Keri Simeon will suit-up behind the plate.

The Down Under Series which initiated in 2015 will see some of the best international and professional softball teams from around the world compete over five days of play. World powerhouse Japan will go into the series as red hot favourites while the hosts will try to get their game back on track after a disappointing 10th place finish at the World Champs in Surrey last year.

The New Zealand White to compete at the Down Under Series:
Kingsley Avery, Ancelle Van Mollendorf, Jennifer Feret-Brear, Nita Hickey, Pania Monk, Aieesha Hooper, Aria Tawha, Katrina Nukunuku, Stephanie Smith (Auckland), Keri Simeon, Charlotte Pointon (Hutt Valley), Melanie Gettins, Rita Hokianga (Hawkes Bay), Shannon Hearne (Western Australia).
 
 

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SOFTBALL NZ HAIL WHITE SOX FUNDING

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23 Nov, 2016
 

Softball New Zealand say High Performance Sport New Zealand's “outstanding'' funding boost is an early Christmas present for the White Sox national women's team.
 
The White Sox will receive $250,000 over the next two years towards their Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification campaign at the 2018 world women's softball championships in Japan.
 
HPSNZ announced on Thursday it will give the women's programme $100,000 in 2017 and $150,000 in 2018.
 
The world's top six teams will take part at the Tokyo Olympics where women's softball and men's baseball will return to the Olympic fold for the first time since the Beijing 2008 Games.
 
New Zealand finished eighth at the 2016 world championships but are ranked fifth in the world for overall senior and junior international women's softball programmes.
 
Softball NZ (SNZ) chief executive Tony Giles said the HPSNZ decision was “an outstanding outcome from a current benchmark of zero dollars towards the female programme''.
It is the first significant government funding for the White Sox programme for some time.
 
Giles said the “quality of our story, leadership and campaign presentation'' and the “flourishing relationship'' SNZ high performance manager Darren Smith had built with the Millennium Institute of Sport and Health in Auckland were key factors in the HPSNZ decision.
 
He said the potential for Los Angeles to host the 2024 Olympic Games was also a positive with softball likely to be retained for an Olympic tournament in the United States.
Giles said the decision was “a paradigm shift for female softball at the elite level in New Zealand'' and acknowledged the advances made by the women's programme in recent times.
SNZ has long received HPSNZ support for the New Zealand Black Sox men's programme with the Black Sox winning four world championships gold medals and two silver medals since 1996.
 
But White Sox athletes have had to pay their own way. White Sox head coach Kevin Gettins estimates it has cost some players “up to $10,000 a year'' to attend tournaments and training camps in world championships seasons.
 
Gettins said the HPSNZ decision was “very good news'' for the athletes and the White Sox programme.
 
“It gives us more flexibility and ability to introduce a few more training camps and bring in a few more specialists to get involved with the athletes.''
 
He said the White Sox programme had been “self-funded for years'' and that had had some impact on “player availability''.
 
The HPSNZ funding would take some of the financial pressure off players, but Gettins said, more importantly, the support was a validation of the strides made in recent seasons with the White Sox making the top-eight at the last two world championships.
 
“The money is great but the recognition of the progress the programme has made is pretty special too,'' he said.
 
“We're not saying everything is going to be free, going forward, but the opportunity to reduce the player impact, financially, is there.''
 
The cash injection will assist the White Sox to tour Japan in 2017 a year out from the world championships and “get a very solid build-up'', Gettins said.
 
“Our challenge is our players are scattered around the world, with many in the United States on college softball scholarships. This will help us bring them all together.''
 
Gettins said the White Sox were very grateful to high performance manager Darren Smith who “did a fantastic job'' in pitching the case for funding support

NEW ZEALAND WHITE SOX SQUADS & PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

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23 Nov, 2016
 

National Squad 2017

The New Zealand White Sox 2018 world championship campaign commences this week with Head Coach Kevin Gettins releasing details of the 2017 program and announcing a 32 player squad. 
 
The size of the squad is by design with the aim of building a wider player base and greater depth in targeted positions.

The 2017 New Zealand White Sox Training Squad:

 

	Name	Club	Province
1	Aieesha Hooper	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
2	Amy Begg	Morgan State	Canterbury
3	Ancelle van Molendorf	Brisbane Giants	Australia
4	Aria Tawha	Western Magpies	Auckland
5	Charlotte Pointon	Saints	Hutt Valley
6	Courtney Gettins	Florida South Western	Hawkes Bay
7	Danica Ferriso	Dodgers	Hutt Valley
8	Ellie Cooper	Florida State	Missouri
9	Emma Francis	Johnsonville	Wellington
10	Gillian Wills	Western Magpies	Auckland
11	Hailey Breakwell	Idaho State	California
12	Jennifer Feret-Brear	Western Magpies	Auckland
13	Katrina Nukunuku	Mt Albert Ramblers	Auckland
14	Kayla Rangiawha	Florida South Western	Wellington
15	Kelley Renner	Oak Ridge	California
16	Keri Simeon	Saints	Hutt Valley
17	Kingsley Avery	Western Magpies	Auckland
18	Krysta Hoani	Otahuhu	Auckland
19	Kyla Bromhead	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
20	Lara Andrews	Delaware	Hutt Valley
21	Marama Makea	Poneke Kilbernie	Wellington
22	Melanie Gettins	Flaxmere	Hawkes Bay
23	Mereana Makea	Poneke Kilbirnie	Wellington
24	Mikayla Werahiko	Florida South Western	Canterbury
25	Nita Hickey	Otahuhu	Auckland
26	Pania Monk	Otahuhu	Auckland
27	Rita Hokianga	Flaxmere	Hawkes Bay
28	Shannon Hearne	Carine Cats	Australia
29	Stephanie Smith	Howick	Auckland
30	Taylor-Paige Stewart	Wisconsin	California
31	Tyla Morrison	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
32	Tyneesha Houkamau	Colorado Mesa	Auckland

New Zealand White Sox team to compete at Temperzone U19 Boy’s National Championships – January 2017
 
The campaign starts with a 14 player roster travelling to Hastings to compete in the Temperzone Under 19 Boy’s National Championships from 5-8 January 2017. The unprecedented move of entering a team in such an event is to expose players to a much faster and intense game, comparable to elite international women’s softball. The outing will see the debut of Amy Begg the young Canterbury pitcher who is currently on scholarship at Morgan State University in Baltimore, USA. 
 
White Sox team - Temperzone U19 Boy’s National Championships:
 

1	Aieesha Hooper	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
2	Amy Begg	Morgan State	Canterbury
3	Danica Ferriso	Dodgers	Hutt Valley
4	Emma Francis	Johnsonville	Wellington
5	Gillian Wills	Western Magpies	Auckland
6	Katrina Nukunuku	Mt Albert Ramblers	Auckland
7	Keri Simeon	Saints	Hutt Valley
8	Kingsley Avery	Western Magpies	Auckland
9	Krysta Hoani	Otahuhu	Auckland
10	Lara Andrews	Delaware	Hutt Valley
11	Mel Gettins	Flaxmere	Hawkes Bay
12	Nita Hickey	Otahuhu	Auckland
13	Pania Monk	Otahuhu	Auckland
14	Rita Hokianga	Flaxmere	Hawkes Bay

International Down Under Fastpitch Series – February 2017
Following on, in mid-December (after the Bev Smith Memorial Premier Women’s Club tournament) a team will be named for the International Down Under Fastpitch Series. The Down Under Series, held from 9-12 February in Blacktown, Sydney, poses very strong competition that features all of Australia’s top line players along with the Japanese National team.
 
Tour to Japan – July 2017
Looking forward, the New Zealand White Sox program includes a 12-14 day tour to Japan in July, 2017. The tour will include up to 22 squad members and will involve games against strong Japanese domestic teams along with intense training camps. The trip will provide an excellent dress rehearsal for the 2018 World Championships to be held in the Chiba Prefecture, Japan. A large touring squad will expose a wider pool of players to international softball.
 
New Zealand White Sox Manager & Assistant Coach Named
It is with great pleasure that Softball NZ announces the reappointment of Aroha Metcalf and Tony Simpson through to the 2018 World Championships in Japan. The two incumbents will once again complement Head Coach Kevin Gettins as the team prepares to take on the arduous challenge of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
 

FOLLOW THE WHITE SOX ON THEIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPAIGN

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ISF WOMEN'S SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPTIONSHIP, SURREY, BC, CANADA

15 - 24 July, 2016

 

Click for draws and results

Game Schedule (in NZ times)
 

Time (NZ)		Matchup	Win/Loss	Media
Pool Games - 32 Teams
July 16	3:15 PM	New Zealand vs Kenya	W 28-0 (3 Innings)	Live Streaming
July 17	7:30 AM	New Zealand vs Peru	W 7-0 (5 Innings)	Live Streaming
July 18	7:30 AM	New Zealand vs Italy	W 8-7 (9 Innings)	Live Streaming
Top 16
July 19	7:30 AM	New Zealand vs Great Britain	W 6-0	Live Streaming
July 20	7:30 AM	New Zealand vs Chinese Taipei	W 4-0	Live Streaming
July 22	3:30 PM	New Zealand vs Japan		Live Streaming
Top 8
July 22	3:00 PM	New Zealand vs Japan	L 9-2 (6 innings)	Live Streaming
July 23	5:00 AM	New Zealand vs The Netherlands	L 8-2	Live Streaming
New Zealand finish 8th

 

Live Streaming
PLANT CITY, FL (USA) — The WBSC today has announced that all 124 games for the 2016 WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship in Surrey, Canada, from 15-24 July will be web-streamed. This represents the most games ever streamed for a global softball event.

Beginning Thursday, 15 July, video coverage on the main diamond will feature play-by-play commentary plus video-on-demand playback for all games and will utilise a multi-camera system while Field 2-4 will use one camera.

All games will be streamed live and available on a subscription basis for a one-time fee of $US 19.95 via worldsoftball.tv.

Live play-by-play will also be available online for the entirety of the tournament.

 

Tournament Format and Facts

The 31 nations have been divided into eight pools to compete in a preliminary round-robin. The teams will then be allocated to four sections of four in either a championship or placement round-robin based on their finish in the preliminary round-robin.  The top two teams from each section will advance to the Championship Double Page system.

Teams finishing third and fourth in pool play will be placed in a placement pool to play in a Double Page systems to determine position 9-16. Remaining teams in each pool advance to Single Page placement pools for position 17 -31.

Pool A: Japan, Venezuela, France;
Pool B: USA, Brazil, Austria, Israel;
Pool C: Australia, Mexico, Switzerland, Serbia;
Pool D: Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Uganda;
Pool E: Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico, India, Ecuador;
Pool F: Netherlands, Czech Republic, Philippines, Pakistan;
Pool G: China, Cuba, Guatemala, Greece;
Pool H: New Zealand, Italy, Kenya, Peru.

All 31 participating National Teams will compete on Opening Day, with action opening on Friday, 15 July at 08:30 local time.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 18:30 at the main competition field, which will be followed by Canada meeting Great Britain in front of the home crowd.

The gold medal game will take centre stage on 24 July at 18:00, and will be preceded by the bronze medal match at 13:00.

Stepping onto the women’s softball world stage for the first time are Brazil, Ecuador, India, Ireland, Israel, Kenya, Pakistan, Peru, Serbia, Switzerland, and Uganda.

The Women’s National Team of Japan will head to Surrey as the two-time defending world champions, capturing gold medals in Haarlem (NED) in 2014 and Whitehorse (CAN) in 2012.

The United States — the Eagles — have won nine total women’s world championships and took home the silver medal in 2012 and 2014.

Oceania’s Australia — the Aussie Spirit — claimed the bronze medal in Whitehorse and Haarlem.

Host Canada is expected to perform well after their gold-medal win at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

 

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WORLD CUP OF SOFTBALL XI, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

05 - 10 July, 2016

Click for draws and results

Game Schedule (in NZ times)

All games are streamed live!
ate 

Time (NZ)		Matchup	Win/Loss	Media
July 6	8:00 AM	New Zealand vs Canada	L 5-0	Live statsI Live Streaming
July 8	3:30 AM	Australia vs New Zealand	L 7-6	Live statsI Live Streaming
July 9	3:30 AM	Czech Republic vs New Zealand	W 2-0	Live stats I Live Streaming
	6:00 AM	Japan vs New Zealand	L 10-0 (4)	Live statsI Live Streaming
July 10	5:00 AM	USA Elite vs New Zealand	L 13-0 (4)	Live statsI Live Streaming
	9:30 AM	New Zealand vs Mexico	W 3-2	Live statsI Live Streaming
July 10	4:30 AM	New Zealand v China	L 2-1 (8)	Live statsI Live Streaming

For full game schedule of all games go click here

HOUKAMAU WITHDRAWALS FROM WHITE SOX

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5 May, 2016

Tyneesha Houkamau has withdrawn from the White Sox team to attend the World Championships due to injury. Houkamau's replacement will be non-travelling reserve Gillian Wills from Western Magpies, (Auckland). Shannon Hearne (Australian based) will come into the non travelling reserves.

MIKE ROBERTS APPOINTED WSX PITCHING COACH

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6 April, 2016

Softball New Zealand is pleased to announce Mike Roberts as the New Zealand White Sox Pitching Coach for the tour of North America in July. Roberts an expat who applied his craft in the US college system since 2000 is excited about the opportunity to be part of the New Zealand women's team. 

“I'm looking forward to coaching with Kevin and Tony. My relationship with Kevin goes back to my playing days when he played for Hawkes Bay and I was with Auckland. Tony caught for me back in the late 80s with Auckland United”, say Roberts.

Head Coach Kevin Gettins targeted Roberts because of his extensive CV as a Head Coach and specialist Pitching Coach within the USA college system. This included working at the University of Oregon under fellow New Zealander and Head Coach Mike White. At present Roberts is Assistant Coach with the University of Washington, a division one college based out of Seattle.

“It is truly an honour. It’s going to feel good to be able to share some of the knowledge and skills I have accumulated over the last 40 years as a player and coach with some of New Zealand's best women's softball talent.

When I am looking to win at the highest level, there are championship standards that have to be met. Whether it be spot percentage or ball to strike ratio, I want to make sure the pitchers understand the importance of these standards.  I will support them in their pursuit of these championship standards” says Roberts.

The White Sox will undertake their campaign by competing at the prestigious World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City, 5-10 July before heading to Vancouver, Canada for the World Championships, 15-24 July.
 
Ratu-James withdrawals from White Sox
Kuraroa Ratu-James has withdrawn from the White Sox team to attend the World Championships for personal reasons. Kuraroa’s replacement will be non-travelling reserve Tyneesha Houkamau who is playing college softball for Colorado Misa in the USA. Nita Hickey (Auckland ) who had outstanding performances at the Southern Cross Challenge moves onto the non-travelling reserves.
 

SIMPSON APPOINTED WSX ASSISANT COACH

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20 Nov, 2015

Auckland-based coach, Tony Simpson, has been appointed Assistant Coach of the New Zealand White Sox ahead of the 2016 World Championship.

Simpson will join Head Coach, Kevin Gettins, and team Manager, Aroha Metcalf. He has been involved in softball for 45 years as a player and 15 years as a coach.

Simpson has experience coaching various ages, from tee ball to premiers, and has coached many Auckland representative sides. He is a former Black Sox representative and has also competed with the Great Britain national team at the 2004 World Series in Christchurch.

"I understand the pressures of travelling and playing overseas, and the focus needed to compete at the highest level", says Simpson. 

The experience that Simpson holds will allow him to compliment Gettins in an assistant role. He has a great understanding of the value of teamwork and will look to work with players to improve their individual game.

The White Sox squad members who are currently based in New Zealand will be attending a camp in Hawkes Bay from 27-29 November.

WSX NATIONAL TRAINING CAMP SQUAD MEMBERS ANNOUNCED

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23 Sep, 2015

The White Sox campaign for the WBSC XV World Championships, Vancouver 15 - 24 July 2016 kicks off in earnest with a national training camp for the NZ based White Sox squad members in Hastings from 27 - 29 November 2015
.   
The NZ based White Sox squad members that will be invited to the National Training Camp are:

NB: Coach Gettins may invite a further one or two players. 

2015 WHITE SOX SQUAD ANNOUNCED

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7 July, 2015

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 8th 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.

WHITE SOX SQUAD 2015

	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 Nukunuku	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/ Auckland	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

NEW ZEALAND WHITE SX UPDATE JULY 2015

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17 June, 2015

Planning for the WBSC XI Women's World Softball Championship in Surrey City, Canada in July 2016 is underway as Head Coach Kevin Gettins prepares to name his first White Sox squad.

Coach Gettins plans to cast the net wide in naming players for the squad.  He believes that for the programme to succeed, finding the best players and giving them opportunities to compete for a World Series team berth is a key focus.  “This means that players who have not previously been in the National picture, will be included in the squad and given the opportunity to compete for spots on the National Team”, says Coach Gettins.

The squad will be named on July 7.  

AROHA METCALF APPOINTED MANAGER OF THE NZ WHITE SOX

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4 June, 2015

Current Junior White Sox manager, Aroha Metcalf, has been appointed manager of the New Zealand White Sox.
 
Metcalf will join head coach, Kevin Gettins, in preparation for next year’s women’s world championships in Canada. The pair has worked together for a number of years with the Junior White Sox and will be attending the Junior World Championships in Oklahoma this August.
 
Metcalf has had plenty of managerial experience, including both the 2011 and 2013 junior world championships in South Africa and Canada. She looks to bring this experience into the new culture of the White Sox team. “Being part of the NZ White Sox is an exciting step up from the Junior White Sox role. I am very proud of the young players I have been involved with over the last seven years and am looking forward to being part of their progression into the senior ranks”.
 
Metcalf is determined to bring smooth logistical support to the team. “I want to be part of Coach Gettins’ team culture where members are treated with respect, all contributions are valued, and where accountability and personal and team performance is expected”, says Metcalf.
 

 

 

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XIV WOMEN'S SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP   NZ Date & Time Teams Saturday 16th August – 2:15am New Zealand vs Russia Sunday 17th August – 2:30am New Zealand vs Cuba Monday 18th August – 6:00am New Zealand vs Canada Tuesday 19th August – 12:00am New Zealand vs Japan Tuesday 19th August – 10:30pm New Zealand vs Czech Republic Wednesday 20th August – 1:30am New Zealand vs China Friday 22nd August – 5:00am New Zealand vs Puerto Rico To view the NZ White Sox games live (and view other games as well), go to the live streaming website...here  XIV Women's Softball World Championship Competition schedule National and regional media White Sox team profile  White Sox Coach Reports - 6 Aug - 9 Aug - 10 Aug - 11 Aug - 16 Aug  - 17 Aug - 19 Aug  - 20 Aug  - 21 Aug  - 22 Aug

PRAGUE INIVITATIONAL WOMEN'S CUP 9.8.2014  1   10:00  Russia  New Zealand 1  :  7  2   13:00  Czech Republic  Austria  5  :  0  3   16:00  Austria  Russia 0  :  8  4   19:00  New Zealand  Czech Republic  7  :  6 10.8.2014       5 10:00  New Zealand Austria 8  :  0 6 13:00 Czech Republic Russia 5  :  0 7 16:00 Russia Austria 7  :  0 8 19:00 New Zealand Czech Republic 0  : 3

_{^{White Sox named for Aussie state series}}

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NZ White Sox coach Naomi Shaw will have the luxury of four US-based players, when her national women’s team takes on Australia’s best at the Gilley’s Shield tournament at North Harbour’s Rosedale Park in December.
For the first time, Softball NZ will host a round of the Australian interstate competition, after sending teams across the Tasman for the past several years as part of its women’s international programme.
While the home team won’t be a full-strength roster, it will be the strongest New Zealand have been able to field at this event, as Shaw builds her preparation towards next year’s ISF World Championship in the Netherlands.
“We’ve done quite a bit of work establishing which players were coming back from the United States during college holidays,” says Shaw.
“We also had to work around college exams and some of these players had to have exams moved forward to return to New Zealand in time to play this series. It will be really great to have them.”
Hitters Te Reo Powhiri Matautia (Tallahasse Community College) and Lara Andrews (University of Delaware), and pitchers Krysta Hoani (Tallahasse) and Rita Hokianga (West Texas A&M) are the quartet returning.
Matautia was recently named 2013 Female Player of the Year for her performance at the last world championship, finishing among the top 10 batters with a .500 average.  
“There were others who couldn’t get exams moved, but this is the first time we’ve had this opportunity and it’s an important part of the world championship selection process.”
Shaw has selected a 22-strong squad to contest the Gilley’s tournament – 16 will assemble for the December 12-15 event, while the other six will serve as non-travelling reserves.
She has named 13 of the playing group today, with three more to be named next month after form has been assessed at early-season tournaments.
The playing line-up, so far, will feature four from the successful Junior White Sox outfit that finished fourth at this year’s world series in Canada. It also includes American Jennifer Feret – a member of the JWS coaching staff – who is awaiting citizenship that would make her eligible for full international honours.
“That citizenship is the only way she can play for New Zealand,” says Shaw. “We’ve been working on it for a number of years now and it’s been an onerous process, but we’re confident she will get it.”
The 13 players today named for the Gilley’s Shield series are Lara Andrews (USA), Kyla Bromhead (Auckland), Rebecca Bromhead (Auckland), Jennifer Feret (Auckland), Danica Ferriso (Hutt Valley), Shannon Hearne (Australia), Krysta Hoani (USA), Rita Hokianga (USA), Jasmin Kaiaruna (Wellington), Te Reo Powhiri Matautia (USA), Brooke McManus (Australia), Katrina Nukunuku (Auckland) and Cassie Siataga (Canterbury).
The three additional players, to be named on November 12, will come from Kayla Clark (Auckland), Emma Francis (Wellington), Mel Gettins (Hawke’s Bay), Tyneesha Houkamau (Auckland), Beth Stavert (Auckland), Michal Tangaroa (Auckland), Hope Weber (Wellington), Mikayla Werahiko (Canterbury) and Gillian Wills (Auckland).
 

White Sox head into camp

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National women’s softball coach Naomi Shaw heads into a squad camp this weekend, buoyed by the recent world championship success of the Junior White Sox in Canada.

The young Kiwis finished fourth at their international tournament at Brampton, finishing behind only Japan, the United States and Australia, and improving on their sixth placing two years ago.
Most of those players will now move into senior ranks, but many have already been part of Shaw’s White Sox roster before their most recent results.

Eight – Danica Ferriso, Beth Stavert, Freya Bullock, Mikayla Werahiko, Jasmine Kairuna, Tyneesha Houkamau, Cassie Sitaga and Emma Francis – will attend this weekend’s camp.
“This was an exceptional result,” reflects Shaw. “Our programmes have been quite close for a few years now, so their progress has been no surprise to me.
“We’ve had several of these players in the senior programme for a while, and they’re there not because they’re young and have potential, but because they have the ability to compete at that level.”
Shaw was fully briefed on the JWS campaign by coach Venita Hokai and was especially pleased to hear of two standout players that have put their hand up for higher honours – short stop Siataga and pitcher Stavert.
“Cassie really performed exceptionally well at the World Series, which was of great interest to me, especially in such a crucial position as short stop.
“Beth has played for me several times already, but I was really pleased to hear of her progress with the juniors. She emerged as one of the ‘senior’ juniors and her pitching form was good as well.”

This weekend, Shaw will case her eye over the NZ-based White Sox contenders, with an eye towards the upcoming Gilles Shield trans-Tasman series later this year.
For the first time, Softball NZ will host a round of this competition at Rosedale Park in December and Shaw will be keen to field the strongest possible line-up as part of her build-up towards the ISF Women’s World Championship at Haarlem, Netherlands, next August.

The White Sox squad for this weekend’s camp is:
Kyla Bromhead (Auckland), Rebecca Bromhead (Auckland), Freya Bullock (Auckland), Yvonne Burgess (Hutt Valley), Kayla Clark (Auckland), Jennifer Feret (Auckland), Danica Ferriso (Hutt Valley), Emma Francis (Wellington), Emma Frost (Canterbury), Mel Gettins (Hawke’s Bay), Tyneesha Houkamau (Auckland), Jasmine Kaiaruna (Wellington), Anita Leeuw (Auckland), Madison Lovatt (Wellington), Kathleen McAndrew (Wellington), Katrina Nukunuku (Auckland), Victoria Reyland (Auckland), Cassie Siataga (Canterbury), Beth Stavert (Auckland), Hope Weber (Wellington), Mikayla Werahiko (Canterbury), Gillian Willis (Auckland)

Two other national squads will also assembled this weekend, with new Junior White Sox coach Kevin Gettins taking control of his rebuilding outfit in Hastings and Black Sox legends Thomas Makea and Jarrad Martin sizing up the Junior Black Sox in Auckland.
Junior White Sox: Amy Begg, Caitlin Davidson, Tessa Metuatini, Bohemian Quinn, Mikayla Werahiko (Canterbury), Marjorie Cashell, Regan Campbell-Tapa, Tayla Mcdonald (Hutt Valley), Rhylie Makawe (Texas, USA), Shanae Hearne (Australia), Lauren Tapp (Australia), Jamie Anne Dick, Kendall Iti, Makayla Mave, Tyla Morrison, Nik-Cole Paea, A'ieesha Setefano, Zoe Tolhopf, Terapii Tourangi, Deaven, Tavalu (Auckland), Kanyon  Paul Pania Monk (Waikato), Brooke Eden, Emma Houkamau, Ashlyn Obers, Courtney Gettins, Evana Schinkel (Hawkes Bay), Mereana Makea, Marcelle Parkes, Emily Rauhihi, Kayla Rangiahwa (Wellington), Brooke Stillwell (North Harbour)

Junior Black Sox: 
Ethan Johnson (Canterbury), Billy Nehoff-Bates (Canterbury), Jackson Watt (Canterbury), Matt Ngataki (Canterbury), Luke Higgins (Wellington), Nopera Stockford (Wellington), Tailah Love (Marlborough), Tyler Bird (Marlborough), Callum Elson (Auckland), Cole Evans (Auckland), Taylor Nau (Auckland), Jacob Oxley (Auckland), Reuben Paraha (Auckland), Maddix Rice (Auckland), Sean Sorenson (Auckland), Gino Timoti (Counties), Brodie Boyce (Counties), Eruera Drage (North Harbour), Connor Peden (North Harbour), Blake Radford (North Harbour), Vincent Harris (Waikato), Toa Tauranga (Waikato), Jerome McKenzie (Auckland), Joseph Kohlhase (Auckland)
 

Nukunuku Appointed White Sox Assistant Coach

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Israel Nukunuku – a member of one of NZ softball’s most decorated clans – has been appointed assistant coach for the White Sox national women’s team, as they prepare for next year’s world championship in the Netherlands.
 
The brother of world champion Black Sox stars Dion and Nathan Nukunuku has carved his reputation off the diamond, with roles at club, national and international level, including a previous stint as women’s assistant and technical advisor to the Junior White Sox.
 
He has coached Hawke’s Bay, Auckland and Hutt Valley women at the National Provincial Championships, and is the current Mt Albert Ramblers women’s coach, having previously guided the Waitakere Bears.
 
But Nukunuku’s international experience may prove a key factor in the White Sox campaign, especially his contribution to softball in Europe and the Netherlands.
He assisted the Dutch men in their 2013 ISF World Championship campaign at Rosedale Park and has run clinics in the Netherlands. Nukunuku has also coached in the Denmark U19 and senior men’s programmes.
 
He’ll assist White Sox head coach Naomi Shaw through to the end of August 2014.

 

Australia's top women come to NZ

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20 April

Softball New Zealand has hit an unexpected home run by persuading its Australian counterpart to stage a round of its women’s interstate championship at North Harbour.

For the past three years, White Sox development sides have crossed the Tasman to contest the Edebone-Weber Shield, a trophy that celebrates softballing legends from either country – former Australian captain Peta Edebone and former NZ pitcher Gina Weber.

The competition pits the Kiwis against the top Australian state sides, which are also battling among themselves for the Gilley’s Shield.

But after successfully staging the recent ISF World Men’s Championship at Rosedale Park, SNZ has now convinced the Aussies to send their best players to this side of the ditch for what should be an impressive display of women’s softball.
“We don’t get many opportunities to see women play at this level in New Zealand,” says Softball New Zealand general manager Dane Dougan.

“But the recent world championship showed we’re capable of staging high-class softball events and hopefully this is just the first of many opportunities we’ll have to host overseas teams on a regular basis.”

Australia were bronze medallists at last year’s world championship and also finished third last time the sport was contested at the Olympics, in Beijing 2008.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve had international women’s softball in New Zealand, so this is pretty exciting,” says White Sox coach Naomi Shaw. “This is certain several levels higher than what we currently play here, and if we can get kids watching and emulating what they see, that’s how we raise the bar.”

Shaw’s challenge now is to assemble the strongest team possible to represent New Zealand on their home turf.
The Edebone-Weber Shield's final round will take place at Rosedale Park in December, and feature the NZ White Sox Selection, South Australia Starz, Victoria Titans, Western Australia Flames, NSW Firestars, Queensland Heat and ACT Diamonds.
 

Putting the 'White' into 'White Sox'

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Nyree White is a virtual unknown in New Zealand softball, but her dad sure is familiar.

Mike White was a Black Sox star of the 1980s/90s, pitching a perfect game to win the 1996 world championship final against Canada, before switching allegiances to the United States. Over his career, he attended six world tournaments for the two countries.

Nowadays, White is head coach of the University of Oregon women and daughter Nyree (20) is a sophomore pitcher at Pac-12 conference rivals Stanford University, who played for the US national junior team in 2011.

"She's got two passports and would be a bit of a coup for us," says NZ White Sox coach Naomi Shaw.

Shaw has named White in an extended squad of players to prepare for this year's Australian Gilley's Shield interstate competition and next year's ISF World Championship in the Netherlands.

"We still have some hoops to jump through," says Shaw. "We'd need permission from both national bodies, but she'd be great for us."

Shaw's squad, named after the weekend's Open Women's Club Championship at Lower Hutt, features 10 players currently at US colleges - White, Junior White Sox captain Taylor Paige Stewart (Wisconsin) and Ellie Cooper (Florida State) are all at Division I schools.

"One of the reasons the squad is so big is we needed players we could take to Australia," says Shaw. "By the time you take out the overseas players, who we wouldn't bring back for Gilley's, and Junior White Sox, who have their own programme, we needed to have plenty of others to choose from."

Also featured in the squad is Te Reo Powhiri Matautia, another US-based player attending Tallahassee Community College, who is emerging as one of the most promising batters in world softball. She was among the top four at the last junior world championship and top
10 at last year's senior tournament.

The youngest player to get her chance in the extended group is 16-year-old Hawke's Bay catcher Emma Houkamau.

"We needed an equal number of catchers and pitchers, and we're very happy to give Emma this opportunity to develop," says Shaw.

The NZ-based senior players in the squad will next gather for a camp in May.

The full White Sox squad is ...

Lara Andrews (USA), Erika Avery (USA), Kingsley Avery (USA), Kyla Bromhead (Auckland), Rebecca Bromhead (Auckland), Freya Bullock (Auckland), Yvonne Burgess (Hutt Valley), Kayla Clark (Auckland), Ellie Cooper (USA), Brooke Cutting (Wellington), Danica Ferriso (Hutt Valley), Emma Francis (Wellington), Emma Frost (Canterbury), Courtney Gettins (Hawke's Bay), Melanie Gettins (Hawke's Bay), Shannon Hearne (Australia), Katarina Hiku (Auckland), Krysta Hoani (USA), Rita Hokianga (USA), Emma Houkamau (Hawke's Bay), Tyneesha Houkamau (Auckland), Jasmin Kaiaruna (Wellington), Anita Leeuw (Auckland), Madison Lovatt (Wellington), Te Reo Powhiri Matautia (USA), Katie McAndrew (Wellington), Brooke McManus (Australia), Rhylie Makawe (USA), Katrina Nukunuku (Auckland), Charlotte Pointon (Wellington), Kayla Rangiawha (Wellington), Kuraroa Ratu-James (Hutt Valley), Victoria Reyland (Auckland), Cassie Siataga (Canterbury), Keri Simeon (Wellington), Beth Stavert (Auckland), Taylor Paige Stewart (USA), Michal Tangaroa (Auckland), Lauren Tapp (Australia), Hope Weber (Wellington), Mikayla Werahiko (Canterbury), Nyree White (USA), Gillian Wills (Auckland), Ancelle Van Molendorff (Auckland)
 

New Zealand White Sox Squad to 2014

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Lara Andrews	USA
Erika Avery	USA
Kingsley Avery	USA
Kyla Bromhead	AK
Rebecca Bromhead	AK
Freya Bullock	AK
Yvonne Burgess	HV
Kayla Clark	AK
Ellie Cooper	USA
Brooke Cutting	WN
Danica Ferriso	HV
Emma Francis	WN
Emma Frost	CB
Courtney Gettins	HB
Melanie Gettins	HB
Shannon Hearne	Aust
Katarina Hiku	AK
Krysta Hoani	USA
Rita Hokianga	USA
Emma Houkamau	HB
Tynessha Houkamau	AK
Jasmin Kaiaruna	WN
Anita Leeuw	AK
Madison Lovatt	WN
Te Reo Powhiri Matautia	USA
Katie McAndrew	WN
Brooke McManus	Aust
Rhylie Makawe	USA
Katrina Nukunuku	AK
Charlotte Pointon	WN
Kayla Rangiawha	WN
Kuraroa Ratu-James	HV
Victoria Reyland	AK
Cassie Siataga	CB
Keri Simeon	WN
Beth Stavert	AK
Taylor Paige Stewart	USA
Michal Tangaroa	AK
Lauren Tapp	Aust
Hope Weber	WN
Mikayla Werahiko	CB
Nyree White	USA
Gillian Wills	AK
Ancelle Van Molendorff	AK
One to be named

 

Feret plays waiting game

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- 15 Jan

American Jennifer Feret is playing a waiting game on her bid to play softball for New Zealand, but a chance to represent her adopted country has come sooner than expected. The pitcher/utility player has been named as battery coach for the Junior White Sox, assisting coach Venita Hokai in their build-up for the World Championships in July. “I’m really exicted,” says Auckland-based Feret. “Softball has been such a big part of my life and helped me do so many things, I really wanted to give back – to make use of my knowledge and help these young girls. “It’s a pretty big deal to represent your country and to help them do that is quite exciting.” Feret (28) grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and attended college at Mercyhurst, across the state border in Pennsylvania. Since leaving school, she has played in Switzerland, Germany and New Zealand, and has lived in Auckland for three years now, where she delivers sports programmes to primary and intermediate-school kids. “I’ve always had a small hand in coaching,” says Feret. “I coached at university for two years as the pitching coach. When I played overseas, I was head coach in Switzerland for two seasons and coached a bit in Germany.” She played first base at high school, but was recruited for college as a short-stop and ended up pitching, so her knowledge over a range of positions has served her well off the diamond. “A lot of battery coaching is strategy and how to approach a batter,” she insists. “It needs the pitcher and catcher working together, and understanding what strategies to use and when. “It’s about communication – the pitcher and the catcher need to be on the same page.” Over the next few months, Feret’s i-Pad, loaded with Skype and video-analysis programmes, will become her best friend, as she tries to deliver words of wisdom to her far-flung protégés.

At the same time, she’ll working hard on residency applications that hopefully enable her to take the field for senior White Sox one day soon. Earlier, this month she was the star turn of an NZ Selection that contested the Australian interstate competition. “She’s such a great competitor and a really good person to have in a team like that,” said White Sox coach Naomi Shaw afterwards. “We need more like her.” Feret is determined to make it happen. “You always want to play at the highest level and the fact New Zealand backs me in that is pretty thrilling. I really appreciate the support.” In the meantime, she will get a chance to represent her new country in front of family and friends. The Junior World Championships is scheduled for Brampton, Ontario – a mere four-hour drive from where she grew up.

  

Zero wins, but plenty of hope

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09 Jan

No wins from eight games is a record that never sits well with any team, let alone a national representative side competing against Australian states.

But White Sox coach Naomi Shaw takes some encouragement from the NZ Selection that spent the past five days in New South Wales, contesting the final round of Gilley’s Shield competition and three games against the Australian U19 squad.

That series wound up yesterday with two losses to the Aussies – 5-6 in a tiebreak and 1-3 in a shortened five-innings affair.

“You’re always disappointed to come away from a trip like that with no wins,” she admits. “But there was really only one game we got hammered in and Queensland went on to win the national league for the first time ever – they were a very strong-hitting team.”

“We lost two games in tiebreakers and the rest were really quite competitive, which was a big deal for me and my selection team. In previous years, we’ve just been blown away.”

The user-pays nature of the women’s programme means this squad was made up of players mainly on the fringe of White Sox or Junior White Sox selection, and the trip was an opportunity to test them against the next level.

“I always agonise over the value of go to Gilley’s and consistently losing, so I put that to the players to brainstorm over the weekend,” says Shaw. “They came back with some fantastic feedback – they now know what elite softball is and want to know what they need to work on when they go back to their clubs.”

One player that stood out over the campaign was American-born Jennifer Feret, who was the side’s top batter, and pitched all but one game with juniors Tyneesha Houkamau and Beth Stavert restricted by injury and illness respectively.

Feret, who plays for Auckland, is currently going through the process of gaining NZ citizenship and hopes to achieve that before the 2014 World Series.

“She’s such a great competitor and really a good person to have in a team like that,” says Shaw. “We need more like her and we have some real promise in the juniors coming through.”

One aspect that hurt the Kiwis badly was batting. At times, they dominated opposition pitching, actually out-hitting ACT Diamonds (9-6), Victoria Titans (10-3) and South Australia Starz (5-4), but losing all three games.

“We did well enough, but just ran out of hitters at key moments. We tried rejigging the batting order to put all our hitters together, but then we would run out of hitting at the bottom.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have enough women pitchers in New Zealand to test our batters and that probably means our best players need to practice more against men.”

Next stop for Shaw will be the selection of a Junior White Sox team to contest their World Series later this year.

 

NZ Selection lose first test

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- 07 Jan

The NZ Selection lost their first “test” to an Australian Selection 0-2 in a closely fought affair that was still scoreless after four innings.
The Aussies put runs on the board in each of the fourth and fifth, and six safe hits for the game.
In response, the Kiwis could only manage two hits, but still had their chances.
First base Rebecca Bromhead was twice walked and designated runner Freya Bullock got as far as third base in the second innings, before she was stranded.
Madison Lovatt also walked in the third and reached second, when Kayla Clark successfully bunted to make first. Both were left stranded when pitcher Jennifer Feret flied out to centre-field.
In the fifth innings, Anita Leeuw reached first on a fielder’s error and runner Alex Forsyth stole second before she was also stranded.
Melanie Gettins reached first in the sixth innings, but runner Lovatt was tagged attempting steal second.
New Zealand has two more outings against the Aussies today, before returning home.
 

Day 3 - Gilley's Shield Round 3 

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The Kiwi women completed their six-game schedule with a 3-4 loss to Victoria Titans that somewhat epitomised their play over the three days at the Australian interstate competition in Blacktown, New South Wales.

Despite out-hitting their opponents 10-3, they could not convert that advantage into winning runs. New Zealand took an immediate lead in the first innings, when lead-off Kayla Clark singled and was brought home from third by a sacrifice fly from Jennifer Feret. But they also left Gilliam Willis stranded in what would be become a trend for the game.

Victoria had pitcher Feret under the pump in their first turn at bat, scoring three runs and picking up another in the third. But the Kiwis got one back in the fourth, when Shannon Hearne singled and eventually stole home. They had a great chance to steal victory in the seventh innings, when Rebecca Bromhead homered, and then Feret, Hearne and Anita Leeuw loaded the bases. But the opportunity slipped away when Madison Lovatt lined out to third to end the game.

Earlier in the day, the NZ Selection were hammered 11-0 by Queensland Heat, without managing any hits – one of those performances you try to forget in a hurry. They regrouped against Victoria and will need to raise their game another level in three “tests” against an Australian Selection today and tomorrow.
 

Day 2 - Gilley's Shield Round 3 

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The ACT Diamonds needed a tiebreak eighth innings to finally put away the NZ Selection at the third round of Gilley’s Shield games in Blacktown, New South Wales. Locked up at 3-3 after seven, the Diamonds scored in the top of the next innings and the Kiwis could not respond, dropping their second game of the day at the Australian interstate competition.

ACT were immediately in the ascendancy, scoring twice in the first innings, but New Zealand fought back with singles to Tyneesha Houkamau and Melanie Gettins to draw level in the third. They took a lead in the sixth, when Gettings batted in Jennifer Feret, but the Aussies responded in their next at-bat and eventually won in the first tiebreak innings.

Earlier in the day, the NZ Selection had fallen 2-6 to defending champions NSW Firestars, conceding five runs in the first innings. Shannon Hearne reached home in the Kiwis’ second at-bat and Freya Bullock scored on a wild pitch in the sixth.

Over the four games so far this round, pitcher Feret has seven hits from 12 at-bats (0.583). New Zealand face Queensland Heat and Victoria Titans on Saturday, before their three “tests” against an Australian Selection on January 6/7.

 

Day 1 - Gilley's Shield Round 3 

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The NZ Selection started the latest round of Gilley's Shield play with a pair of losses, but a vastly improved showing at the Australian interstate competition at Blacktown, New South Wales.

First up, the Kiwi women fell 1-4 to West Australia Flames, tying the game at 1-1 at the top of the fourth innings, when pitcher Jennifer Feret scored off a fielder's error.

But Feret got in a jam in the fifth innings, conceding three hits that resulted in runs and New Zealand were unable to recover.

Catcher Melanie Gettins had two safe hits from her three turns at bat.

Later in the day, NZ lost 1-3 to South Australia Starz, despite out-hitting them 5-4. Again, Feret was the only one to reach home, but this time, it came off a wild pitch in the sixth innings, when the Starz were already three runs up.

Gettins, first base Tyneesha Houkamau, pinch hitter Anita Leeuw and oufielder Gillian Wills all recorded safe hits. Feret restricted SA to just one earned run, but the Starz scored twice off an error by Houkamau in the top of the sixth.

Still, the two losses marked a dramatic improvement from the last time Naomi Shaw's side played these two teams - they lost by a combined 1-17 in back-to-back games on November 23.

New Zealand next face defending champions NSW Firestars and ACT Diamonds on Friday afternoon, and take on an Australian Selection in three "tests" on January 6/7.
 

Gilley's Shield Round 3 - Sydney

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The White Sox programme takes another baby step towards the next World Series, when coach Naomi Shaw and her NZ Selection side cross the Tasman this week for another crack at the Aussies.

The visit to Blacktown, New South Wales, will see the Kiwi women play eight times in five days, including the third round of Gilley’s Shield interstate play and three “tests” against an Australia Selection.

It’s deliberately not labelled as a White Sox team for good reason. There are only two players – Rebecca Bromhead and Melanie Gettins – from the full national side that contested the world event last year. And at the other end of the spectrum, four newcomers – Freya Bullock, Kayla Clark, Madison Lovatt and Victoria Reyland – have never played at this level before.

“It’s not a full national team, so there is more of an expectation around developing for the future,” insists Shaw. “Some are in contention for the Junior White Sox and their World Series next year, while others may be in contention for the White Sox and their 2014 World Series. But this trip is not just about experience – it’s an opportunity for us to see who can step up to that level of play. Australia were third at the World Series and we were 12th and to narrow that gap, we need to widen our base of players. But we love winning as well and we’ll be doing everything we can to come up with wins. We’ll win some and lose some.”  

Since New Zealand began its participation in the Australian domestic competition, Shaw estimates 50-60 players have been exposed to this higher standard of play. That’s partly by design and partly out of necessity, since the self-funded campaign quickly sucks up the players’ financial resources and annual leave.

Because the turnover of players is so high, it’s hard to get consistency of performance, but Shaw has seen some noticeable improvement this summer. In their first jaunt across the ditch to Perth in October, the Kiwis won three straight games, including a 7-6 victory over defending champions New South Wales Firestars, with a handful of rookies on board.   

That’s the first time that hat-trick has been achieved in the three seasons New Zealand has entered a team. Their record over the opening two rounds stands at 4-7. This week, they’ll face the Firestars again, as well as the Victoria Titans, who they’ve already beaten twice this season. But this round also promises to be the toughest yet, with many of the Australian sides benefitting from the return of their US college players during the Christmas/New Year break.
“As long as people don’t get taken up with results, I’m excited by what we’ve achieved with our wider squad,” says Shaw. “When we come to select our next White Sox team, we’ll have more information on our players and will make fewer mistakes.”

The New Zealand Selection is: Rebecca Bromhead, Freya Bullock, Kayla Clark, Jennifer Feret, Alex Forsyth, Melanie Gettins, Shannon Hearne, Tyneesha Houkamau, Anita Leeuw, Madison Lovatt, Brooke McManus (for tests), Kayla Rangiawha, Victoria Reyland, Beth Stavert, Gillian Wills.

Coach: Naomi Shaw
Assistant coaches: Debbie Mygind & Kevin Gettins
Manager: Anaru Pewhairangi
Scorer: Vicky Griffiths
Trainer: Anthea Stringer
 
Schedule
Thursday, January 3
1pm NZ Selection v West Australia Flames
3pm NZ Selection v South Australia Starz
 
Friday, January 4
3pm NZ Selection v ACT Diamonds
 
Saturday, January 5
1pm NZ Selection v Queensland Heat
7.30pm NZ Selection v Victoria Titans
 
Sunday, January 6
4.30pm NZ Selection v Australia Selection
 
Monday, January 7
9.30am NZ Selection v Australia Selection
11.30am NZ Selection v Australia Selection

 

Gilley's Shield Round 3

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4/12/2012

NZ Women's Selection Team to attend the Gilleys and Edebone-Weber Shield to be held in Sydney 2-6 January 2013.
The tournament is to be followed by a 3 game test series against an Australian Selection Team to be played on 6 – 7 January 2013
 

Uniform number	Players (list alphabetically by surname)		Assc
	Surname	Given name
	Bromhead	Rebecca	AK
	Bullock	Freya	AK
	Burgess	Yvonne	HV
	Feret	Jennifer	AK
	Forsyth	Alex	QL
	Gettins	Melanie	HB
	Hearne	Shannon	WA
	Houkamau	Tyneesha	AK
	Leeuw	Anita	AK
	Rangiawha	Kayla	WN
	Ratu-James	Kuraroa	HV
	Simeon	Keri	WN
	Stavert	Beth	AK
	Wills	Gillian	AK
	TBC

 
 

Officials	Position	Assc
Naomi Shaw	Head Coach	HV
Debbie Mygind	Asst Coach	AK
Kevin Gettins	Asst Coach	HB
Anaru Pewhairangi	Manager	RO
Vicky Griffiths	Scorer	CB
Anthea Stringer	Trainer	MB

 
 

Gilley's Shield Round 2

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20/11/2012

The New Zealand Women's Selection team to compete in the Gilley’s Shield and Edebone Weber Shield, Round 2 – Adelaide, Australia.
 
Friday 23 November – Sunday 25 November 2012
 
New Zealand Women's Selection
Rebecca Bromhead (AK), Danica Ferriso (HV), Robyn Hall (CB), Shannon Hearne (WA), Tyneesha Houkamau (AK), Jasmin Kaiaruna (WN), Anita Leeuw (AK), Cassie Siataga (CB), Keri Simeon (WN), Lauren Tapp (NSW), Mikayla Werahiko (CB), Gillian Wills (AK), Lauren Sutherland (CB)

 

“An eye to the future”

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 25/10/2012

That is how New Zealand Women’s Selection Team coach Naomi Shaw sees her side’s participation in this weekend’s opening round of the Gilley’s Shield competition in Perth, Australia. The Gilley’s Shield competition is Australia’s elite women’s tournament.
 
“This is about having a look at some of the Junior White Sox squad members,” Shaw said.
 
“The idea of this is to give them the opportunity to play elite softball and for myself to see how they cope with that level of softball and how they perform under pressure. We want to win there is no doubt about that, but that is not the primary focus. It is really about developing the program for 2014.”
 
The side left today for Perth and has its first game at the tournament against South Australia tomorrow morning. It then finishes the opening day of the tournament with a game against hosts Western Australia. On Saturday they play the ACT and Victoria sides with their final games of the opening weekend of the tournament on Sunday against defending champions New South Wales and Queensland.
 
“It is straight into the games,” Shaw said. “It is what it is. We have to be mindful of the cost. We don’t want to miss the opportunity to play this level of softball and Australia Softball has been very accommodating of us. It is the way it is for us and we just have to get there as cost effective as possible.”
 
The team is: Jennifer Feret, Ancelle Van Molendorff (Auckland), Danica Ferriso, Amelia Rika, Kuraroa Ratu-James (Hutt Valley), Emma Francis, Kayla Rangiawha, Keri-Moana Simeon, Jardene Tipa, Jasmin Kaiaruna (Wellington), Courtney Gettins, Melanie Gettins (Hawke’s Bay), Robyn Hall (Canterbury), Shannon Hearne (Western Australia).

New Zealand Women’s Selection Team

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29/09/2012
 
A squad of 25 players has been named from which 2 teams will be selected to attend Softball Australia’s Edebone Weber Shield Tournaments to be held 26-28 October 2012 in Perth & 23-25 November 2012 in Adelaide.
 
The White Sox and Junior White Sox programmes work closely together to identify talented youngsters coming through the ranks. Playing in the Australian National League offers the programme the opportunity to have experienced campaigners like Mel Gettins, Rebecca Bromhead and Michal Tangaroa play alongside the youngsters identified in the Junior White Sox squad. Additionally, the “gap group” of players between the junior and the seniors also have the opportunity to show the New Zealand coaches if they have what it takes to make future NZ White Sox selections.
 
Coach Naomi Shaw says “the opportunity to play in the Softball Australia National League is fantastic to give the girls a taste of what elite softball looks like. Some will thrive from the challenge and others will come away with a better idea on what they need to work on to achieve a higher standard of play. Either way it is a win/win for us as players who are exposed to this level of competition will inevitably learn much from it”
 
The squad will be revised at the end of November from which a team to compete in the Edebone Weber Shield between 2-6 January 2013 in Sydney will be named. A 3 game test series is planned on the 6^th & 7^th January with an Australian Women’s Selection Team.
 
The NZ Women’s Selection Squad:
 
Rebecca Bromhead AK
Danica Ferriso HV
Alex Forsyth Qeensland
Emma Francis WN
Courtney Gettins HB
Melanie Gettins HB
Robyn Hall CB
Shannon Hearne West Australia
Tyneesha Houkamau AK
Jasmin Kaiaruna WN
Anita Leeuw AK
Dinah Luke HV
Kayla Rangiawha WN
Kuraroa Ratu-James HV
Amelia Rika HV
Cassie Siataga CB
Keri-Moana Simeon WN
Michal Tangaroa AK
Ancelle Van Molendorff AK
Hope Weber WN
Mikayla Werahiko CB
Matie Whitman HV
Gillian Wills AK
(two more to be added)
 
The NZ Women’s Selection Team to travel to Perth  for the Edebone Weber Shield Round 1: 26-28 October 2012:  
 
Danica Ferriso HV
Emma Francis WN
Courtney Gettins HB
Melanie Gettins HB
Robyn Hall CB
Shannon Hearne West Australia
Kayla Rangiawha WN
Kuraroa Ratu-James HV
Amelia Rika HV
Keri-Moana Simeon WN
Ancelle Van Molendorff AK
Hope Weber WN
Matie Whitman HV
(two more to be added)

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View the full schedule here International Softball Federation XIII Women’s World Championship website International Softball Federation XIII Women’s World Championship photos Photos courtesy of Joanne McAlpine here

 

White Sox World Championship NZ Times

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Date	New Zealand	Time	Diamond	Result	Box Score	Manager report
14 July	Mexico	4.30am	1	7-3 (W)	click	Download
15 July	Japan	1.30pm	2	0-7 (L)  5 innings	click	Download
16 July	Great Britain	8.30am	2	3-0 (W)	click	Download
17 July	Australia	11am	2	1-5 (L)	click	Download
18 July	Canada	6.30am	1	12-1 (L) 5 innings	click	Download
19 July	Italy	11am	2	5-6 (L)	click	Download
20 July	Chinese Taipei	6am	2	2-1 (L)	click	Download

Win/Loss 2-4, Final placing = 13th

 

Name	Club	Province
1	Aieesha Hooper	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
2	Amy Begg	Morgan State	Canterbury
3	Ancelle van Molendorf	Brisbane Giants	Australia
4	Aria Tawha	Western Magpies	Auckland
5	Charlotte Pointon	Saints	Hutt Valley
6	Courtney Gettins	Florida South Western	Hawkes Bay
7	Danica Ferriso	Dodgers	Hutt Valley
8	Ellie Cooper	Florida State	Missouri
9	Emma Francis	Johnsonville	Wellington
10	Gillian Wills	Western Magpies	Auckland
11	Hailey Breakwell	Idaho State	California
12	Jennifer Feret-Brear	Western Magpies	Auckland
13	Katrina Nukunuku	Mt Albert Ramblers	Auckland
14	Kayla Rangiawha	Florida South Western	Wellington
15	Kelley Renner	Oak Ridge	California
16	Keri Simeon	Saints	Hutt Valley
17	Kingsley Avery	Western Magpies	Auckland
18	Krysta Hoani	Otahuhu	Auckland
19	Kyla Bromhead	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
20	Lara Andrews	Delaware	Hutt Valley
21	Marama Makea	Poneke Kilbernie	Wellington
22	Melanie Gettins	Flaxmere	Hawkes Bay
23	Mereana Makea	Poneke Kilbirnie	Wellington
24	Mikayla Werahiko	Florida South Western	Canterbury
25	Nita Hickey	Otahuhu	Auckland
26	Pania Monk	Otahuhu	Auckland
27	Rita Hokianga	Flaxmere	Hawkes Bay
28	Shannon Hearne	Carine Cats	Australia
29	Stephanie Smith	Howick	Auckland
30	Taylor-Paige Stewart	Wisconsin	California
31	Tyla Morrison	Waitakere Bears	Auckland
32	Tyneesha Houkamau	Colorado Mesa	Auckland