Softball: Whanganui teenager Poppy Priddle rising through NZ ranks

Poppy Priddle has turned out for multiple teams over the past 12 months. Photo / Mike Tweed

A trial with the senior White Sox squad is the latest milestone in Whanganui teenager Poppy Priddle’s whirlwind softball journey.

The 15-year-old Cullinane College student said she was still a “senior baby” but the trial was a chance to learn and play alongside top-level players and head coach Craig Wallace.

Last July, Poppy travelled to Brazil with the Junior White Sox for the under-18 World Cup qualifiers.

The team finished third and she was the youngest player in the tournament.

Poppy now plays for the Saints club team from Hutt Valley, having moved from champion Whanganui outfit Braves last year.

Moving to Saints meant a much higher standard of play, she said.

“The competition is much harder but I enjoy it a lot more, and I’m still playing with all my mates.”

Father Carl Priddle said there was a lot of travel involved in Poppy’s schedule - “it’s pretty full-on”.

“We have talent coming through but they need to play in those bigger centres to develop their game,” he said.

“It does mean there is a drain from Whanganui but it’s what’s best for the players.

“Moving Poppy to play in Hutt Valley was a big decision but an easy decision.”

Poppy still represented Whanganui in the under-17 girls team which finished second at the nationals in January.

Carl Priddle said it was the first time a Whanganui representative team had finished in the top four nationally.

The Whanganui under-17 boys team finished fourth.

Poppy Priddle batting for the Whanganui under-17 team at this year's national competition.

“It shows there are some great players here. We’ve also got Taylah Waitokia and Ngarongokaumoana Ponga,” he said.

“All three made the tournament team for the under-17s and have a similar schedule to Poppy.

“There is a lot of work and late nights for the parents, that’s for sure.”

Poppy played for Manawatū in this year’s under-19 national competition in Invercargill as Whanganui did not field a team.

Mother Tina Peina said Poppy was invited to the national trial for her fielding and left-handed batting.

“She’s what you call a triple threat,” Peina said.

“Poppy’s fielding is a big drawcard and something a lot of people have talked about.

“She used to play football so her footwork is nice and quick, and she’s co-ordinated and balanced when she’s running and throwing.”

Next up is the National Fastpitch Championship (NFC) in February, with Poppy picked up by the Hawke’s Bay senior team.

As a 14-year-old, she played for the New Zealand Junior White Sox Invitational team at the NFC last year.

Carl Priddle said Hawke’s Bay was looking for “someone quick and reliable in the centre field” and Poppy fitted the bill perfectly.

“At only 15 it’s a big ask - it’s the top ball players in the country competing.”

Softball has taken her across the country and to the United States, as well as Brazil, in the past 12 months.

Poppy plays for Saints on Fridays (under-19s) and Saturdays (premier) and trains two to three times a week, often in different locations.

“Luckily, she is a good sleeper, otherwise she’d be absolutely exhausted,” Carl Priddle said.

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.