Baseball New Zealand has officially announced its NZ U18 Team roster for the upcoming WBSC World Cup Qualifier.  The NZ U18 Team will be away from the 26th November as they prepare to take on Australia U18 in the qualifying series in Sydney.

The first segment of the tour will focus on a training and preparation camp starting on the Gold Coast, where players will hone their skills, build team cohesion, and prepare for the competitive challenges ahead. Following the training camp, the team will engage in a five-game series against their Australian counterparts. This series is not just a friendly competition, it serves as a crucial qualifier, with the winner earning the opportunity to represent the Oceania region in the 2025 U18 World Cup. The preparation for this tour has been a progressive journey for the National U18 Squad, beginning in Hamilton last July. During that initial phase, players participated in a highly productive five-day camp designed to develop their skills, understanding of the game, and team dynamics. Since then, the squad has been on a focused development path, enhancing their performance to ensure they are ready for the challenges that lie ahead in Australia.

Preparation Camp - Gold Coast, November 2024

The team will kick off their tour with a four-day training camp on the Gold Coast. This camp is designed to provide young athletes with top-tier training facilities and the opportunity to hone their skills under the guidance of experienced coaches. The camp will focus on preparations, ensuring the team is in peak form for the ball games ahead.

WBSC Oceania Qualification Series, Sydney December 2024

Following the Gold Coast camp, the team will travel to Sydney, where they will continue their training before competing in a five-game series against Australia. The tournament will be played at the home of Syndey Blue Sox, Blacktown International Sports Park. The series will take place from the 5th to the 8th of December.

Team Announcement

The NZU18 Team, selected based on their outstanding performances in domestic competitions, includes a mix of seasoned players and promising new talents. The NZ U18 coaching staff are confident that this group has the potential to achieve great success and represent New Zealand with pride.  NZU18 Team Head Coach (Manager) Aaron Campbell said “I'm really excited by the level of talent and character of the boys. I'm looking forward to getting the team in a hyper-focused environment preparing for the job at hand.  I believe we'll play with mana and represent our country, clubs and families with all we have and really test Australia" .

NZU18 Team Coaching & Management Team:

Head Coach (Manager):  Aaron Campbell

Executive Officer:  Kiri Hay

Bench Coach:  John Lee

Assistant Coach:  Connor Perry

Pitching Coach:  Taiyo Konishi

Physio:  Tania Stokes

Article added: Saturday 09 November 2024