"BRING IT TO BRAMPTON"
Is the slogan we have used this time around for the NZ Under 19
Girls campaign leading up to the World Championships to be held July
1-7th in Brampton, Toronto, Canada. Although only 80 days or so away,
it only feels like yesterday that we were on the field in Capetown,
South Africa. The 2 year turnaround comes extremely quickly especially
for the players! I have a pretty fair idea what we will face in
Toronto, and our buildup tour will be crucial! The Americans are the
defending champions and no doubt be tough, but I cannot tell you how
much I admire watching the Japanese. They are so disiciplined in every
move they make on and off the field, slick and just exciting to watch!
Regardless this is a World Championship, and as a coach "I take nothing
for granted", it is either sink or swim!
This year we have a new management team with Jennifer Ferret
(Battery Coach), Leigh Grinlinton from Hutt Valley (Scorer/Statistician)
and Anthea Stringer (Team Medic) from Marlborough, joining myself,
Kevin Gettins and Aroha Metcalf. We will also be using the services of
Russell Cooper who is a renowned Pitching coach throughout the USA. The
respect I have for all of these people is enormous given we are in a
self funded environment. The expertise amongst each of the staff will
be crucial to the outcome of the campaign! In the 35 years I have been
involved in the game I have always thought volunteers work so hard for
the "love" of the game, and we don't thank them enough-so if I forget "I
thank you all" for the sacrifices you have made for this campaign!
The Junior team itself is an exciting group of young ladies, we
have returning players Danica Ferriso, Taylor Paige Stewart, Beth
Stavert, Kuraroa Ratu James, Kingsley Avery playing their second Junior
World Championships. The buildup tour will include playing games in
Hawaii, then onto Los Angeles where we will take on some very good Under
18 teams. We will then head to Brampton and arrive 2 days before the
championships start, with a double header scrimmage game against Japan!
Other than this, we are now heading into our trainings in each of the Regions and look forward to arriving to Toronto!
Signing out
Vee
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