Ask Adam Woon what he thinks will be Hawke's Bay's biggest strength at this week's national under-17 boys' softball tournament in Hastings and he stomps the ground.
"Home ground advantage. Here at Akina Park that has to be worth a couple of runs in each game ... it's a big boost when you are playing in front of family," the Hawke's Bay captain explained before his team went into camp this morning to prepare for the 12-team four-day event which begins on Thursday.
"Hopefully we can win this one at home. It's my third and last tournament in this age group and if I have to compare this Bay team with all the others I've been in over the years this is definitely one of the strongest," Woon said.
The Hastings Boys' High School Year 12 student played in four Hawke's Bay under-13 teams and four under-15 teams as well as one under-19 side in addition to his three under-17 teams. While Woon has won two national school titles, one at senior division two level and another at junior division one level, he has yet to win one in Hawke's Bay colours.
"A Hawke's Bay age group team hasn't won a national title here at Akina since 2008 when the under-19 boys did, so that's another incentive," Woon said.