The Australian Open Women’s softball team, Aussie Spirit, has departed Sydney for the Canada Cup as part of final...
The Australian Open Women’s softball team, Aussie Spirit, departed Sydney today for the Canada Cup as part of final preparations for the International Softball Federation’s World Championship.
The Canada Cup, one of the best competitive tournaments in the world, takes place from 1-9 July in Vancouver and will see Australia go up against some of the world’s best pitchers and hitters.
Head Coach Fabian Barlow knows playing the USA, Japan, Canada and China is the best possible preparation for the World Championships.
“The competition will help us continue to work on our defensive set-ups and just as importantly our belief systems and team dynamics. It will also give us the opportunity to see our opponents’ strengths and weaknesses as well as what they perceive ours to be,” said Barlow.
Barlow is mindful of the tactics that will be used by countries competing at the World Championship in August saying that “there is a strong possibility that teams will hide some of their potential weapons that they will look to bring out in Beijing and we will be no different. You need to get a good mix of testing out some of your game plans but having something in reserve to take to the Worlds.”
Under Barlow’s leadership, Australia defeated USA Elite 3-0 to take home last year’s Canada Cup and is confident that the experienced 17-player team will again put in a strong performance.
“I am confident that we will win our share of games over the course of the two tournaments and commit to the cause every time we take to the field to represent the country,” concluded Barlow.
The team, consisting of nine world championship players and ten Olympians, includes Sandra Allen (Qld), Catherine Bishop (SA), Marissa Carpadios (Qld), Kylie Cronk (Qld), Amanda Doman (Qld), Kelly Gentle (NSW), Kelly Hardie (Qld), Tanya Harding (co-captain) (Qld), Danica Howlett (NSW), Simmone Morrow (NSW), Tracey Mosley (Qld), Stacey Porter (NSW), Kate Quigley (Vic), Danielle Stewart (Qld), Natalie Titcume (Vic), Natalie Ward (co-captain) (NSW) and Belinda Wright (NSW).
The Canada Cup will be held at Softball City, BC Canada and then the Australian team will head to Oklahoma to compete in the US World Cup from 13-17 July 2006.
Natalie Ward, Australia’s second most capped player will surpass current most capped player Sally McCreedy on day four of the Canada Cup.
Softball Australia
