After an incredible performance by their Senior League counterparts, Australia competes in the Junior League World Series for the first time ever, and representing Australia at this tournament is NSW charter team, Cronulla.
2016 marks the first year that a team from Australia has automatically qualified for the Junior League World Series, with previous Australian champions having to make their way through the Junior League Asia-Pacific Championship to have a chance of participating in the Junior League World Series.
Cronulla come into the tournament with a number of young men already with international experience. Jake Burns, Luke Krkovski and Blake Cavill all represented Cronulla at the 2015 Little League World Series, with Cavill recently representing his country at the 2016 U15 World Cup in Japan.
Cronulla’s Head Coach Glen Humphry is excited about his team heading over to Taylor, Michigan.
“The team is in high spirits and are itching to get onto the diamond to take on the world’s best Junior League sides,” Humphry said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for these young players and for some, this will be their first trip overseas. It’ll be something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
For Cronulla, the tests don’t get much bigger than Chinese Taipei, who they match up with in their opening game of the tournament. Teams representing Chinese Taipei have won the last three Junior League World Series tournaments, and for our boys from Cronulla, it’ll be a stern test straight out of the gates.
Coach Humphry is excited about the prospect of testing his team against the best in the world.
“We really do not have any expectations going into the tournament as it is all unknown being the first Australian side to attend,” Humphry said.
“It is very encouraging to see our Senior League team do so well maybe with some luck we will be able to get there too.”
Cronulla’s opening game of the tournament is at 2pm on Sunday August 14th (4am AEST, Sunday August 15th) against Chinese Taipei, and depending on their result in that game, could face either Europe Africa, or Latin America/Mexico in the next round.
Australia’s games are broadcast online, with the Junior League World Series Championship Game broadcast LIVE on ESPN.
Stay involved with Cronulla’s journey at the Junior League World Series at www.littleleague.org.au.