Tairawhiti softball teams head south

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TWO Tairawhiti teams are heading to the Central Region Under-13 Boys’ and Girls’ Softball Tournament in Whanganui this weekend.

The boys’ team are in one of two sections, and will play Hutt Valley, Hawke’s Bay and Horowhenua in round-robin play. Cross-division playoffs and then a final will be held.

The girls will play a round-robin against Hutt Valley, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu. Teams ranked first and second after that will play off in the final.

Tairawhiti boys have eight players in their 11-strong squad who were in the team last year, but the girls have only three returning reps in their 11.

The girls were runners-up at last year’s tournament, which was held in Gisborne at Waikirikiri Park.

With so many new players, they are inexperienced as a group but have shown improvement in the lead-up to this tournament.

In contrast, the boys did not win a game in the tournament last year, but with the experience of their returning players, they are expected to improve on that showing.

They are strong in pitching and catching, and more than capable in fielding and batting.

The 10-strong coaching and support staff include umpires and scorers, while parents are also making the trip south.

Players for the teams have been drawn from Tolaga Bay Area School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Mangatuna, Ilminster Intermediate, TKKM o Nga Uri a Maui, Horouta Wananga and Lytton High School.

Among those helping the teams in their efforts have been Turanga Health, Tolaga Bay Area School and, in Whanganui, Te Heti Kohanga Reo.