Received: 6/26/06 6:07:31 PM From: Vance <vanf(at)ihug.co.nz> Subject: Junior White Sox take trip into the unknown
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Junior White Sox take trip into the unknown Tuesday June 27th 2006 The school holidays may be upon us next week but for the Junior White Soxit will be a case of learning overload over the next two weeks as thesquad fly out for Vancouver to compete in the Canada Cup Futurestournament. A squad of 15 players will represent New Zealand at the Canada CupFutures tournament for the first time in the sports history. Thetournament sees over 30 club, provincial and national junior teams fromaround the world taking to the diamond. Junior White Sox coach Lynda OCain says the tour will be a huge learningexperience for the team and a great opportunity to get to playinternational softball. We need to get some international competition and this is one of thepremier tournaments in womens world softball. We are looking to use thisas an opportunity to expose as many of our players to the internationalgame as possible while also helping to identify where the gaps are in oursquad ahead of the world champs next year, said OCain. The Junior White Sox will fly out for the tour on June 30th with theCanada Cup Futures tournament due to start on July 4th (NZ time). At thetournament the Junior White Sox have five games in round robin play wherethey will need to finish in the top three to qualify for the championshipplayoffs. The tour is something of a trip into the unknown for the Junior White Soxas little is known about the opposition they will play in the Canada Cupand for some in the squad the tour will be their first taste ofinternational travel. We dont know a lot about our opposition but we are expecting it to bevery competitive. The tour is more about focusing on what we are doingand working on combinations, said OCain. Along with performing on the diamond there will also be a strong elementof learning off the diamond as the players sit back with pencil in handto watch teams compete in the senior Canada Cup tournament. This will be a chance for our players to see the best womens teams inthe world competing against each other. We will be active spectatorswatching how the top teams warm up, see the different styles of play fromthe different countries and look at specific position play for individualplayers, said OCain. The tour is part of the long term planning in place ahead of the JuniorWomens World Championships next year. JUNIOR WHITE SOX TOURING SQUAD Pitchers: Ashleigh Harmer Horowhenua, Courtney Maihi Waikato, Jessica HauHutt Valley, Elisha Smith Canterbury Catchers: Melanie Gettins Hawkes Bay, Okawa Priest Hutt Valley, Infielders: Emma Frost Canterbury, Courtenay ODonnell Auckland, KatrinaStockford Hutt Valley, Brooke Cutting Wellington, Amber IrvingAuckland, Outfielders: Liani Samuel Hawkes Bay, Christina Paul Canterbury, LaraAndrews Hutt Valley, Pauline Tahuri Auckland, Utility: Carmelle Sorensen Canterbury, Coach: Lynda OCain Auckland Assistant Coach: Mandy Karatau-Keightley Canterbury Assistant Coach: Philippa Ward Wellington Manager: Lyn Lockhart Canterbury Scorer: Vicky Griffiths Canterbury Umpire: Lance Brown Wanganui Canada Cup Round Robin Games Tuesday July 4th 6.30am New Zealand v Twin City T-Birds Wednesday July 5th 4.00am New Zealand v Surrey Storm Thursday July 6th 9.00am New Zealand v Okanagan Wildfire Thursday July 6th 11.30am New Zealand v WR Renegades - Desrosiers Friday July 7th 4.00am New Zealand v Calahoo Erins Championship Round Saturday July 8th Monday July 10th After round robin play the top three teams from each pool go through tothe Championship Round. Additionally, the top remaining team based onCanada Cup qualifying criteria, will earn a Wild Card entry into theChampionship Round. The Championship Round is double elimination with asudden death championship final. Consolation Round Saturday July 8th - Monday July 10th The remainder of the teams will proceed to a modified, single eliminationConsolation Round. * Note the time difference between New Zealand and Surrey, BritishColumbia sees team 20 hours behind us. All times listed in this draw areNew Zealand times. By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.softball.org.nz/ *mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Cheers Vance Softball New Zealand web master. * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Als Fastball List *Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] NEWS-1: http://www.AlsFastball.com/ NEWS-2: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball Visit our New Web Site! http://www.pmihrm.com VIA http://www.webbox.com
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