Softball Australia - Australian Sports Commission

UNDER 19 MEN'S PROGRAM
Australia once again have been crowned World
Champions. The success achieved by the team was
thoroughly deserved. The professional approach and
preparation the players and staff applied during the 3
year build up to the World Championships was a credit
to all. Our motto of Pride, Passion, Unity, Respect and
Discipline went a long way in helping us achieve our
goals.
During the lead up to selection of the team, a squad
competed against New Zealand in Hawkes Bay. This
squad was successful in winning the friendship series
42 Softball Australia
conducted here and also won the test series 4 games
to 3. A squad also competed against Open Age Men’s
teams at the 2007 Canberra Skins, and even though we
did not win a game, the players and staff gained valuable
experience in our quest for gold. The team was selected
in January 2008 and training programs commenced
under the supervision of States based satellite coaches.
These programs were skill and fitness based and ran
for 3 nights per week. Each athlete had their own fitness
program that they completed in their own time. These
sessions continued until the team departed for the World
Championships.
In March, the team competed in the Open Men’s National
Championships that were held at Altona in Victoria. The
competition against the best men in Australia was a
vital cog in our preparation for Worlds. The boys played
some great softball, winning several games and gaining
valuable experience along the way. The win against
ACT, was a highlight of the competition and a stepping
stone to the World Championships. I would like to thank
Softball Australia and the Member States for allowing us
to participate in these Championships.
In June, the team set out for Vancouver in Canada
for a series of games in preparation for the World
Championships. I would like to thank Tom Taylor for his