International win for academy side

GOING PLACES: Corey Boocock played for a New Zealand under-18 softball academy team who won a tournament in the Czech Republic. Pictures supplied

SOFTBALL

YOUNG Tairawhiti softball player Corey Boocock has one international title under his belt this year and will chase more success in another national age-group side in the coming months.

He was part of a New Zealand under-18 academy team who won a tournament in the Czech Republic this month, but the 16-year-old will be among players nearer his age when he plays in Sydney in October.

Boocock, who turned 16 in March, has been selected for the New Zealand u16 academy team to compete in an u18 tournament in Sydney.

He’ll be coming off success wearing the national colours.

Boocock was the only Tairawhiti softballer to travel to Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic with the u18 ISA team in May and June.

The ISA (International Softball Academy) hosts international softball tours and academy programmes that expose players to elite softball, coaching and life experiences.

After warm-up games in Frankfurt and Slovakia, New Zealand played in the Mike Stapleton Memorial Tournament in Prague, competing in the u19 grade.

The tournament, the biggest boys’ softball event in Europe, tested the facilities for the 16th Men’s Softball World Championship this month.

New Zealand lost games in pool play but excelled in the knockout stages.

They made the final and defeated Israel 7-0, with New Zealand pitcher Dylan Tonkin throwing a no-hitter.

Boocock said it was great to experience different styles of play on the tour.

The New Zealand side was selected from this year’s u18 national tournament in Christchurch.

It is the fourth year that Boocock has been selected to represent New Zealand in ISA teams.

“Playing for New Zealand is always amazing, as is doing the haka with the team before each game,” he said.

The u16 team for Sydney will be coached by former Softball New Zealand chief executive Dale Eagar.