The Softball New Zealand's 'Junior White Sox' (JRWX) coaching staff have named their national team candidates, in their first step toward the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup 2022.
New Zealand is one of 16 teams slated to participate in the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup 2021, to be held in Lima, Peru, from 27 March to 4 April 2021, after having been rescheduled from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, there will be two youth women’s Softball World Cups in consecutive years, with the next edition to be played in 2022.
Coach Kiri Shaw said, “It's time to start looking at our next group of ballers in preparation for the 2022 World Cup. Whilst it is two years away, that time will pass quickly and we need to start talent identifying these players now."
The JWSX will compete in the Bev Smith tournament in December. Coach Shaw is hopeful, by having a similar programme to what was in place with the current youth team, the coaching staff will become more familiar with players and their capabilities in this age bracket.
Selectors will also be in attendance at this year's regional tournaments and will name a wider Junior Black Sox squad at the completion of the final regional tournament.
The Junior White Sox roster slated for the Bev Smith tournament in December includes the following players:
Tyarn Bromhead Lemalu, Meeki Cooper Nicola, Hope Maaka, Ocearn Matthews, Innika Hapuku-Lambert (Auckland), Maysen Kurene-Iwikau, Mesha Shaw-Wallace, Rylee Watt, Sierra Tai (Hutt Valley), Maiarangi Waipara, Kyera Kei-Nafatali (Wellington), McKenzie Bailey, Samantha Fawcett-Kay, Trinity Mackley, Kiyah Ratu (Canterbury).
Softball New Zealand leaders have been busy preparing for the next international cycle and also recently announced the Men's National Team preliminary roster for the 2022 WBSC Men's Softball World Cup, which will be played on home soil.
