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Regional | Softball

Black Sox squad named for Gisborne training camp

Twenty-three athletes have been named for next month's Black Sox training camp in Gisborne.

This will be the second time the New Zealand Men's Softball team, sponsored by Golden Homes, has been together since they won silver at the World Championships in Canada last year.

Black Sox Manager Jayden Moore says, "Apart from the excitement of holding a training camp in Gisborne, which is a first for the Black Sox, bringing our National Squad together on this occasion will mark a significant step in our ascend up the mountain towards the World Championships in Whitehorse, Canada next July.

For the past 8 months, we have placed a strong focus on strength & conditioning while the four days we spend together in Gisborne will see us conduct fitness testing, softball specific training, team building activities and community engagement. All of this provides a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to put their best foot forward in front of the coaching staff to be included in the 17 man squad to tour Argentina in November.

Tairawhiti Softball Association President Walton Walker says the region is super excited about the Black Sox' upcoming visit to Gisborne.

"With the huge growth of softball in the region, it will be a great start to the new season, a great workout for the new softball diamond but most importantly a great way to showcase the sport of softball with the most successful men’s softball team in the world.”

The squad who will meet in Gisborne on the 22-25th September is:

Hohepa Monk (North Harbour), Bayley Hoani-Pearson, Thomas Enoka Connor Peden, Jerome Haretuku, Ben Enoka*, Alfonz Oveinikovas*, Matt Oxley, Zane Van Lieshout, Kallan Compain, Eruera Drague, Campbell Enoka (Auckland), Nik Hayes, Cory Timu, Joel Evans (Hutt Valley), Josh Pettett, Jovaan Hanley, Wayne Laulu, Jerome Raemaki (Wellington), Penese Iosefo, Joshua Harbrow, and Tyron Bartorillo.