Softball: Olympics bigger picture for NZ women

Courtney Gettins with her father, and head coach, Kevin Gettins. Photo / Duncan Brown

Kevin Gettins will accept nothing less than a top-six finish from his New Zealand women's softball team at next month's World Series in Canada.

"Softball's return to the Olympics is pretty much signed and sealed and six women's teams will play at the 2020 Olympics in Japan. We have to regularly target top-six finishes between now and then to be included," Gettins said as he prepared for the White Sox departure tomorrow.

The first Hawke's Bay coach to be appointed head coach of the White Sox, Gettins, 53, is happy with the build up his team, which includes the Bay quartet of pitchers Rita Hokianga and Courtney Gettins, catcher Melanie Gettins and shortstop Hailey Breakwell, will complete before the 31-team July 15-24 tournament.

There will be a lot of competition for spots throughout the team which is healthy.

Kevin Gettins, head coach

"We've had two training camps with our New Zealand-based players as well as regular regional training camps during the winter. But the big plus is the fact we have been invited for the first time to the World Cup tournament which starts in Oklahoma on Tuesday," Gettins explained.

Sixteen teams will play in Oklahoma and among the Kiwis section play opponents will be world No1 and winners of the last two World Series Japan, world No3 Australia and world No4 Canada.

"We will be feeling our way a bit in Oklahoma. We will try different combinations and put players in different situations on the way to settling on a top starting nine for Surrey," Gettins said.

The Surrey tournament will be the biggest women's World Series. The top two teams from each of the eight pools will qualify for the business end playoffs and the White Sox are in the same pool as Italy, Kenya and Peru.

"Italy are one of the stronger European teams, we know nothing about Kenya and Peru is a developing country in softball terms but with a strong American influence in the coaching department," Gettins said.

With two daughters in the side and having been involved with the Junior White Sox programme since 2008, Gettins, who was appointed White Sox coach 12 months ago, can't be accused of not being familiar with his players. He is particularly satisfied with pitching roster.

"We won't be leaving any good players behind. At the same time our pitchers will get hit around so we are going to have to play very good defence. There will be a lot of competition for spots throughout the team which is healthy."

Melanie Gettins is one of three players in the team who will be playing at her fourth senior World Series. Auckland outfielder Katrina Nukunuku and US-based outfielder Lara Andrews are the others.

Hokianga and Breakwell along with Wellington infielder Mereana Makea and Auckland catcher Stefanie Smith will make their senior World Series debuts. Makea is a daughter of former Hawke's Bay and Black Sox player Fabian Makea and grand-daughter of Hawke's Bay's multiple national title-winning age group coach Tom Makea snr.

Florida State University outfielder Ellie Cooper will captain the White Sox.

White Sox squad:

Pitchers: Jennifer Feret (Auckland), Courtney Gettins (Florida South Western College), Rita Hokianga (Hutt Valley), Taylor-Paige Stewart (University of Wisconsin).
Catchers: Melanie Gettins (Hutt Valley), Stefanie Smith (Auckland), Kyla Bromhead (Auckland).
Infielders: Katrina Nukunuku (Auckland), Danica Ferriso (Midland College, Texas), Hailey Breakwell (Hutt Valley), Mikayla Werahiko (Florida South Western), Gillian Wills (Auckland), Mereana Makea (Wellington).
Outfielders: Ellie Cooper (Florida State University, captain), Charlotte Pointon (Hutt Valley), Lara Andrews (Pennsylvania Rebellion), Kingsley Avery (Ave Maria University, Florida).

Head coach: Kevin Gettins.
Assistant coach: Tony Simpson.
Manager: Aroha Metcalf.