Kangaroos Development Program

Under the Kangaroos Development Program, a number of exciting baseball experiences will be offered to eligible youngsters during July and August this year.

 

These will include – for Under 12s – a Baseball Victoria International Friendship Series (in Melbourne), the IBA Boys World Championships (Tokyo, Japan), Little League California District 57 (United States) and the International Tournament of Sala Baganza (Milan Italy).

 

For Under 14 players, a squad will be attending the Cleveland Indians Charity Continental Cup (United States) and the International Tournament of Sala Baganza (Milan, Italy).

 

In releasing details this week, Baseball Victoria General Manager Brett Hidson emphasised that the focus of the Kangaroos program was on skills development, participation and cultural exchange.

 

“It is very much about kids having fun, learning new skills and strengthening positive sporting values and conduct in a team environment,” Hidson said.

 

“It is not designed as a state team development program and it is open to all youngsters who meet the criteria that we have set.”

 

“Aside from the personal benefits that we believe kids can derive from the program, we are confident that it will help increase retention rates for juniors moving into the Under 16 age bracket, a time when they are historically more likely to leave baseball for other interests,” he said.

 

The Kangaroos Development Program shares some common objectives with similar events offered through the Australian Baseball Federation, but it may have different criteria for participation.

 

Assessment days are scheduled to be held in mid-March of 2010 and teams will selected shortly after Easter.

 

More information on the Kangaroos Development Program has been forwarded to clubs and is provided on the Baseball Victoria website.