The New Zealand Open Women’s Clubs Championships starts today at Fraser Park in Lower Hutt, Wellington where 13 club teams from around the country battle it out to see who the best is this season.
This year sees the inclusion of two new teams, Miramar and Poneke Kilbirnie who are both from Wellington. No Wellington side has won the national club championship since Island Bay in 1984.
Auckland Marist came out on top last season, but could struggle this year to defend their title.
The side are without their top American pitcher Blaire Luna, and have many young players. Former White Sox, Kalala Gabriel is the only player with top-level experience.
The White Sox team had already been named for this years Women’s World Softball Championship held in Canada in July, so there will be less pressure on players to impress selectors.
This weekend the games will be livestreamed from the competition which can be accessed below.
[ http://livestream.com/NZSportTV/events/4999194 ]
The competition will continue until Sunday.