Look out US, Hinemaui is coming

Hinemaui Parata-Ngatai is about to take the biggest risk of her life this off-season.

Leaving the safe confines of friends, family and school in Rotorua, the 15-year-old Waiohau women's catcher is looking to strike it lucky on the international softball stage. Hinemaui has been invited to play for the undefeated, U16 Utah Sting in the United States during New Zealand's approaching winter and it's an opportunity the bubbly teenager isn't taking lightly.

"I'm going to be homesick ... and initially I thought I should say no, but opportunities like this don't lie on the ground ... and I got asked and that's a privilege," she told the Daily Post.

The Rotorua Lakes High School fifth former said she had always dreamed of playing in the USA and thanks to her uncle, who put her in touch with The Sting, her dreams have come true.

Almost overcome with emotion, Hinemaui said she was dedicating the international invitation to her inspirational and supportive "nana and koro" - Pearl Hinemaui and Retemani - who both died last year.

Hinemaui said she was looking forward to attending in-state and out-of-state tournaments with her new team, as well picking up new skills. She was also hoping to boost the sport's reputation in Rotorua.

"[Some] people say softball in Rotorua has died, but I want to come back and prove it hasn't, I mean if I can go to America and get a contract then obviously it ain't [dead]," she said.

Hinemaui and her twin brother Retimana were introduced to the game by their parents as 9-year-olds, but her foray into catching duties came about by default.

"I used to be a pitcher when we played mixed teams, as did my brother.

"We both wanted to pitch but he was top dog so I did something else," she said.

"No one would catch for him, because he pitched so hard so I had to catch and that's how I ended up catching."

Over the years Hinemaui has played for a variety of senior women's teams and this season was selected as No 1 catcher for Waiohau as well as base one for the third-placed Hawke's Bay at the U17 national tournament.

Waiohau coach Lil Natana said Hinemaui's passion and enthusiasm for the game was overwhelming. "She's got youthfulness, is willing to learn and is so passionate for the game. Our team gels really well and she's part of that process, she leads from the back," said Natana.

Hinemaui will be in action for Waiohau tomorrow when they meet Rotovegas Angels in the Rotorua Softball Association's women's final at 12pm at the International Stadium.

Both teams have enjoyed consistent performances on the diamond this year with Angels grabbing a narrow 9-8 victory over Waiohau last weekend. Tomorrow Hinemaui is confident they can peg one back.

Other final games will be Tarewa Giants v Matata in men's division two (10am) while Fordlands will meet either MSM Magic or Waikitie at 2pm. When the Daily Post went to print the division one men's final hadn't been confirmed.


* The Waiohau women's team: Catcher Hinemaui Parata-Ngatai; Pitcher Valerie Natana; First Base Siliini Peka-Gardiner; Second Base Hinehau Natana; Third Base Megan Kino; Shot-stop Elaine Savage; Left field Phyllis Savage; Center Field Tania Natana; Right Field Ngaire Jacobs; Utilities Reremoana Savage, Celeste August, Rania Whare, Tangihaere Fox, Hailey Kereama, Sharon Clark, Vanessa Peka.