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Junior White Sox
New Zealand U19 Women's Softball Team Profiles 2011October 2011Profiles of the New Zealand Junior White Sox World Series Team Cape Town, South Africa 2011...download here JWS News UpdateOctober 2011They may be celebrating a 6-1 win over Ramblers in the final of the Bears Classic tournament in Auckland over the weekend, but the Junior White Sox under-19 girls softball team still have room for improvement ahead of their world championships in Cape Town, South Africa in December. "There are still things I would like to see improve over the next few weeks, but overall I am excited about what this team could possibly do," coach Venita Hokai said. "There is a wide range of skill and speed like no other New Zealand team I have seen before, we just have to believe we are true competitors at an international level." Adding to that elief for Hokai is that her side was without the United States players Taylor Paige Stewart, Hayley Davis and Ellie Cooper along with Alex Forsyth, from Brisbane. While it was without those four players, Melbourne based Jessica Hollet made the trip across the Tasman for the weekend and impressed her coach. "I think Jessica will bring that maturity needed as a catcher, she slotted in well with the team, hit well and has some true skill behind the plate," Hokai said. For Hokai the final was one of mixed feelings - it was against her club side which was also without a trio of players who joined their coach on national duty. "It wasn't easy. Full credit to my Ramblers team who played with a team that was under strength due to preparations for the Juniors." Final Team Member NamedOctober 2011A call up into the national team for NZ to compete at a Junior Women's World Series is a dream come true for 19 year old Melbourne based player Jessica Hollet. Playing against the Junior White Sox at last years Waverley Easter Carnival was an eye opener and Jess reports being impressed by the overall skill and in particular the base running speed of the team...more JWS News UpdateOctober 2011Getting game time, exploring combinations and facing tough competition was the goal for the weekend for the Junior White Sox World Series Team during the September training camp in Hawkes Bay from 23 - 25 September 2011...more New Non-Travelling Reserve NamedAugust 2011 Coach Venita Hokai has included 19 year old Melbourne based player Jessica Hollett into the non-travelling Reserves for the NZ Under 19 Women's Softball Team (Junior White Sox). Hollett replaces removed Auckland player Rebecca Hicks...more Junior White Sox World Series Schedule
2011 ISF Junior Women's World Championship Schedule download here Junior White Sox Winter CampJuly 2011 The Junior White Sox World Series Team assembled in Auckland on the 23-24 July for a weekend training camp. Apart from the overseas based players, it was a good feeling to finally get the team together. Saturday started off with a session from former JWS Coach Lynda O'Cain who gave us an insight on the last 2007 Junior World Series. We also had waiata practice lead by Captain Rita Hokianga. We then hit an outdoor defensive session at North Harbour...more Player withdrawals open the door for anotherJuly 2011 Due to unexpected withdrawals from the Junior White Sox World Series Team of Arahia Fowell and non-travelling reserve Jordan Mumu both from Hutt Valley, Head Coach Venita Hokai has promoted 18 year old Gillian Wills from the reserve list to the travelling team. Coach Hokai says, "Gillian has been at every gym session, training run and fundraising event since being named as a reserve and has proven her desire to be part of the team"...more South Africa stays in world sports spotlightJune 2011 World Championship in Cape Town less than six months away Plant City, Florida (USA) - The 16 countries that will compete have all officially entered. Media credential applications are being accepted. Tickets go on sale at the end of next week. And engagement on the Web continues to increase. It's all a part of preparations for the International Softball Federation IX Jr. Women's World Championship in South Africa later this year. Participants in the (age) 19- and under fast pitch event will be: Argentina, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, USA, and Zimbabwe. The tournament will take place from December 6-17 in Cape Town at the Turfhall Softball Stadium. The venue was originally planned as part of the city's 2004 Olympic bid and is undergoing upgrades in preparation for the world championship. ISF President Don Porter said, "The organising committee is giving a world-class effort in making this our marquee event of 2011. They are showing great pride in putting South Africa in the spotlight for well over a week while the Junior world championship is going on and I'm confident that the athletes, officials, spectators, and the media will all come away impressed." In terms of the latter two audiences that the ISF president mentioned, the accreditation process has already opened for media members to apply for covering the tournament. And, for fans, tickets will go on sale next Friday, July 1st. In both cases - applying for media credentials or purchasing tickets - the destination is the official world championship website, www.jwwc2011.co.za, which also has a link (at the top) to a Facebook page that has been launched for the tournament. Mr. Porter added that representatives from the ISF will conduct their next site visit from August 6-9, with the last of those serving as a launch day and coinciding with the celebration of Women's Day in South Africa. The previous edition of the Jr. Women's World Championship was held in the Netherlands (2007), with USA dethroning the defending gold medalist Japan via a 3-1 victory in the grand final. About the International Softball Federation THe ISF is the world governing body of the sport as recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and SportAccord (formerly the General Association of Internationsl Sports Federations). Softball (women's fast pitch) made it's Olympic debut at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. There are 127 affiliated countries in the ISF and millions of participants in the sport worldwide. The sport is contested in more than a dozen multi-sport Games. Learn additional details about the Federation at www.ISFsoftball.org. Media: For more information, please contact ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak at brucew@ISFsoftball.org, +1-813-864-0100, or +1-813-453-8762. Captain AnnouncedMay 2011
Coach Venita Hokai has named 17 year old Rita Hokianga (Ngati Kahungunu) as Captain of the NZ Under 19s Women's Team (Junior White Sox) heading to the World Series in Capetown, South Africa later this year. Coach Venita explains "It wasn't a hard decision to name Rita as Captain as she has been a part of the national squad since we began 3 years ago...more Countdown to CapetownApril 2011 The countdown is on for the NZ Under 19s Women's Softball Team (Junior White Sox) heading to Capetown, South Africa for the International Softball Federation's IX Junior Women's World Series. Coach Venita Hokai has named a World Series Team of 17 players and 4 non-travelling reserves...more JWS Team Named to go to World Champs in South Africa24 MarchCongratulations to the following players for making the Junior White Sox team to attend the World Championships in South Africa later this year. We wish the management team and the players themselves all the best in their preperation for these World Champs.
JWS Bev Chote Classic Team gain respect9 March
Tour Group to U19 Girls World Series9 FebruaryThe Williment Travel Group Tour to go to ISF U19 Girls World Series December 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa is now inviting supporters to follow and cheer along the NZ Junior White Sox Team. The tour group is to be lead by Naomi Shaw and indicative prices are based on a minimum of 20 people. Here is the information pertaining to the tour group:
$5,585.00 per person plus taxes (indicative at $490)
Please confirm your interest with naomi@softball.org.nz in the first instance. Prices are indicative only at this stage and deposits will be sought following the naming of the NZ Junior White Sox Team in March 2011. 2011 Squad and Bev Chote team named17 January
Army tests Junior White Sox28 Sept
Junior White Sox new third coach/Technology Advisor20 SeptSoftball New Zealand are pleased to announce the appointment of Israel Nukunuku to the position of third coach/technical advisor for the Junior White Sox through to the 2011 Junior Women’s World Championships. Israel brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role and recently held a similar position with the Danish Men’s team at the 2009 Men’s World Championships. Israel’s appointment finalises the management team for the Junior White Sox. The squad will be coming together this weekend in Christchurch for a 2 day camp at Burnham Army camp where they will be put through their paces with a challenging programme.
September camp will text squad11 AugThe Junior White Sox head into a training camp as guests of the NZ Army at Burnham Camp in late September to prepare for what lies ahead. Head Coach Venita Hokai states “we are under no illusion that our recent success in Melbourne can be rated against the rest of the world. We are still a long way off where we need and want to be. It is now crucial we leave those results behind and work on the next phase of our preparation”. Burnham Camp is an ideal setting to challenge the players mentally and physically outside of their comfort zone. The squad have been notified to “get ready” for Burnham. This will be no holiday camp, and players will get “found out” if they haven’t prepared! The coming year will be a huge for all Under 19 female players as the final Junior White Sox World Series Team will be named in late February 2011. With the World Series in Capetown, South Africa in December 2011, we have time on our side to work with the final team. Attendance at the Southern Cross tournament in April in Christchurch is confirmed. Arrangements are yet to be nailed down regarding an international tournament in July as well as attending various local Premier Women’s tournaments. Planning is underway for a build-up for the World Series to begin late November. Coach Hokai says “we have to take the best possible team and explore every option both local and international. Every position is up for grabs, and players need to buy into the fact that it is not just about making a NZ team, it is about wanting to be a “World Champion”. The Junior White Sox welcomes Nicky Hansen to the team as Medic/ Strapper. Coach Hokai believes that Nicky’s expertise together with recent experience with the NZ White Sox in Venezuela provides value and depth to the management team. Junior White Sox return home victorious after test series win8th AprilA dream tour ended last evening when the NZ Under 19s Junior White Sox (JWS) returned home from Melbourne with the rare scalp of the Australian Junior Squad after winning the test series 2 – 1. The first game played at 6pm on the 5 April was won by Australia 5-0. The second game at 10am the next day saw the JWS win 7-1. The final decider was immediately after which was live streamed via the internet. The JWS were solid in defense and continued to pound away at Australian pitchers adding a run or two each innings. The highlight was an automatic home run by Kat Hiku over the left / centre field fence in the 5th inning. The test series was played after the JWS won the Waverley Easter Carnival which saw them win all 11 games against under 19 representative sides from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, ACT and Queensland. Captain Rita Hokianga (Hawkes Bay) said “we had great team spirit and believed we could do it, everyone did their job and played their part. It was great to win the Waverley Easter Carnival, but even better to beat the Australians on their home ground”. Head Coach Venita Hokai believes the result means that we are closing the gap against Australia and that the win sets down the template for women’s softball in NZ. She states “we are still a long way off where we need to be for the World Series next year, but this win leaves players more confident on the world stage”.
Team: Rita Hokianga, Captain (Hawkes Bay), Tania Puketapu (Brisbane), Micah Ropata (Melbourne), Beth Stavert, Santana Harris, Anita Leeuw, Kingsley Avery, Fa’alele Tuala, Te Reo Powhiri Matautia (Auckland), Kuraroa Ratu-James, Arahia Fowell,(Hutt Valley), Jardene Tipa (Wellington), Keely Wells, Kataraina Hiku (North Harbour), Kaysi Rawiri, Robyn Hall (Canterbury) Staff: Aroha Metcalf, Manager (Marlb), Venita Hokai, Head Coach (Auckland), Kevin Gettins, Asst Coach and Keith Dare, Scorer (Hawkes Bay), Sue Harrison, Videographer and Nicky Hansen, Medic (Canterbury) |
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