The Australian Men’s Fastpitch Softball Team have been invited to New Zealand as part of a Celebration Tour against Trans Tasman rivals and current World Champions, New Zealand Black Sox in November.

The six-game test series will feature 12 of the 17 Australian players from the 10th ISF World Championship Team, which competed in South Africa last July.

With five of the World Championship players being unavailable, the Tour marks the International debut of Western Australian duo Justin Golds and Dean Maringoni.

The Tour, which commences on November 24 in Invercargill, travels through Christchurch, Hastings (Australia v NZ Maori side), Hutt Valley, Wellington, and Albany, ending in Auckland on December 3.

Softball Australia’s National Executive Director Neil Dalrymple is delighted the Australian’s Men’s Team has been invited by Softball New Zealand to take part in the Tour.

‘We have a great relationship with Softball New Zealand, and we are very happy to go over and support the series and to celebrate their World Championship victory.’

‘It’s a good opportunity for some of the younger Australian Men’s Players to gain further experience in international competition.’

With Australia finishing a disappointing 12th in July, Dalrymple says that the Tour will be a good chance to re-assess the Team’s ability.

‘We were very disappointed with our result at the World Championship. We think we are a better Team than 12th and we believe the opportunity to play the World Champions will give us the chance to improve.’

For further information contact:

Helen Watson,
03 9729 5200 or 0411 420 351