An Australian Emeralds squad of players, coaches and mentors is heading back to Indonesia on 5 May to continue the second year of Diamonds in the Rough, a program empowering Indonesian girls through baseball. The diplomacy program continues to be funded by the Australian Government through the Asian Sports Partnerships small grants fund.
The Emeralds mentors will return to Bali and Bandung, based on the success of the last visit, continuing the program of on-field skill development and off-field confidence building workshops facilitated by the Emeralds mentors.
The squad will continue its tradition of playing against local men’s teams, and are especially looking forward to playing in Bandung. Last year the games were washed out however Bandung joined the Emeralds in an intensive training session, so there is already a good relationship developed, and competitiveness established.
Another highlight will be the games in Bali, where last year the No More message of reducing domestic violence was soundly embraced, and the games were played in good spirits.
The squad is a combination of veteran Emeralds and those working to make their first open national team. Many of the players are returning for a second and third time, to build on existing relationships, refine and improve delivery and continue to develop leadership skills. The opportunity is also being provided to two rookie mentors in Georgia Jones and Gabby Bevan.
Bevan represented the silver medal winning Victorian Youth team at the 2017 Australian Women’s Championship, and can’t wait to begin the program.
“I am very excited to be a part of the program for the first time this year, and can't wait to get over to Indonesia and have the experience of a lifetime,” Bevan said.
“I haven't really coached before, so I am looking forward to giving it a go with the girls and seeing baseball from a different perspective."
Amy Collins is returning for a third time, and last year also went back to Indonesia on her own accord, delivering clinics while training with Home Plate Academy, a partner of the Diamonds in the Rough program.
“Being involved in this program has helped me to give back to the sport I love in an incredibly special way,” Collins said.
“Using baseball to break down initial barriers helps us create strong relationships in a short time. This allows us to make a strong impact with the Indonesian girls that we coach as well as their families and the local baseball communities that we visit. The trip has a two fold effect in that as players and mentors for our sport, we are able to build our own coaching, leadership and communication skills which we can bring back into our own clubs, associations and state programs when we return to Australia.”
To keep up to date on the program, head to the Diamonds in the Rough Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Diamondsintherough2016
EMERALDS COACHES/MENTORS
Amy Collins, NSW
Breanna Goodwin, WA
Bronwyn Gell, VIC
Caitlin Gordon, WA
Cate Lessman, QLD
Chloe Humphreys, QLD
Gabby Bevan, VIC
Georgia Jones, QLD
Julie Wadham, SA
Kaila Borgomastro, WA
Narelle Gosstray, NT
Shae Lillywhite, VIC
Simone Wearne, VIC
Tammy McMillan, QLD