The Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox travelled to Australia in December for the first time since January 2020, as they took part in a 10-game program in preparation for the WBSC World Cup Qualifier in Italy in July 2023.

The 28 players participated in inter-squad games, as well as 10 games against senior and age-grade teams from New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Tour Results:
•    White Sox 18 vs NSW U18 Girls 1
•    White Sox 4 vs NSW U16 Boys 4
•    White Sox 0 vs NSW U18 Boys 5
•    White Sox 0 vs NSW 7
•    White Sox 3 vs NSW 6
•    White Sox 0 vs NSW 4
•    White Sox 5 vs ACT 4
•    White Sox 5 vs ACT 2
•    White Sox 4 vs ACT 5

Sky Sport New Zealand White Sox

 

Shyah Hale (left) & Ocearn Matthews

Head Coach Donny Hale say's "We are extremely grateful to Mohi Rameka and NSW softball association for helping to organize this tour. This tour was highly valuable in checking our progress to date. It was great to see each unit (infield, outfield, battery) make improvements in relation to the goals that had been set for this tour. The coaching staff were especially pleased with our athletes progress in the area of mental skills.
Hats off to our manager Lunn-Hing Matai who did an incredible job managing 34 people and ensuring that the tour ran smoothly."

WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Qualifier: Italy to Host Group C and Finals

White Sox Head Coach Donny Hale say’s “Our management team are excited to take a team to the WBSC Qualifier event in Italy.

This is our first major event as a team and although we are in a tough pool, we are looking forward to the challenge of facing four of the current top-eight-ranked teams in the world. It’s a great opportunity to test our systems and processes on the international stage, and put into practice all that we’ve been working on over the last three years. 

Our squad has consisted of anywhere between 30-40 athletes on our journey so far. Selections are always a difficult thing and some athletes have unfortunately missed out this time around. Our management team would like to thank all of our wider squad for their contribution to date to our programme. Our athletes have done a good job pushing each other to be better, while at the same time supporting each other. Although we can only take 16 athletes to this Qualifier, we thank all our squad for being a part of our efforts to make the WSX programme stronger. 

We are really excited to have a number of athletes who will debut at the WBSC level. These debutants include Loran Parker, Amy Begg, Tyla Morrison, Otila Tavite, Emma Francis, Erin Blackmore, Nerissa McDowell and Brooke Whiteman. We are also really excited to have two 18-year-olds, in Meeki Cooper-Nicola and Shyah Hale, who will make their first appearance on the world stage, in Italy. Our Assistant Coach, Melisa Tupuivao (nee Upu) was 15 years old when she made her debut at a World Cup, so will be a good source of support and understanding for Meeki and Shyah. 

To complement our debutants, we are fortunate to have the experience of Lara Andrews (Captain), Rebecca Bromhead (Vice Captain), Katrina Nukunuku, Mikayla Werahiko, Pallas Potter and Tyneesha Houkamau. Between them, they have attended 17 Softball World Cup events and will bring valuable experience and guidance to the team.