Softball Australia - Australian Sports Commission

assistance in arranging games against some of the best
men’s teams in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island.
Also thanks to all team contacts and players for such
high quality games in our preparation. Congratulations
also to staff and players for there performance both on
and off the diamond. With a 16-2 win/loss record, the
team showed they would be hard to beat at the World
Championships
The team traveled to Whitehorse for the VIII Junior Men’s
World Championships. The boys played exceptional
softball over the period of the championships. Their belief
in each other was a beacon for all to see. Once again our
motto of Pride, Passion, Unity, Respect and Discipline
was to the fore, this along with courage and commitment
made the team an unyielding force. All members of
the team contributed during the championships with
aggressive offence and defence laying the foundation
stone for our success. The high level of skills shown by
all players was evident throughout the games with very
few mistakes.
Our belief in each other and the commitment to work
together to achieve our goals was evident to the very
end. In a very tight and exciting final the team at no
stage contemplated defeat and with a never say die
attitude fought hard to the end to achieve their dreams. I
would like to congratulate the staff and players on their
performance both on and off the diamond, they were a
credit not only to themselves and their families but also to
Softball and their country.
I would also like to sincerely thank a very dedicated team
of officials for their efforts throughout the program. Jodie
Sheehan, Laing Harrow, Gary Butler, Sandra Evans,
Christine Denkel and Chris Neal who worked extremely
hard throughout the program on making sure our
objectives and goals were met and thus ensuring nothing
was left to chance in our quest for World Championship
success.
I would also like to thank the following for their assistance
over the 3 years of the program. Ann Monaghan and
Wayne Durbidge for their tireless efforts in selecting
the squads and team. Also Vicky Bingley, Werner Pohl,
Phillip Powel, Rob Cook and Michelle Torpey for their
help with coaching the players over the program. To
the Board and Staff of Softball Australia thanks for your
support throughout the many camps, test series and
finally the tour. Without the help of the above mentioned
we may not have achieved success. To the players and
their parents thank you all for the courage, commitment
and support you provided during the program, it was
much appreciated. I would like to wish you all the best in
their future sporting and life endeavors as I am sure that
the memories we have and the friendships we formed will
last a life time. Finally I wish the staff and team selected
for the VIIII Junior Men’s World Championships in 2012
all the best in their quest to once again be the best in the
World.
John Neilsen
U19 Men's Head Coach
Softball Australia 43