For Simone Wearne, Head Coach of the Australian Emeralds presented by Boral, expectations are high heading into the selection camp for the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup 2016 presented by LG, Gijang (Korea).
“Realistically, if we don’t come away with a medal, it’ll be disappointing,” Wearne said.
“We’re ranked third in the world, which is where we should be sitting. If we went away and played really well, we could battle the USA for 2nd place. The girls have committed and have been working hard in their states, but it’s different to actually get out there though and get into a game situations with a bit of pressure.”
The quest for a medal begins this weekend on the Gold Coast, with 39 hopefuls going head to head for 20 spots on the plane to South Korea and the 2016 Women’s Wold Cup.
With a number of players missing from the 2014 World Cup team that came away with a bronze medal, Wearne is excited to see the new breed come through and impress at the weekend camp at Surfers Paradise Baseball Club.
“This weekend will be quite exciting because we’ve lost 12 players from the Women’s World Cup in 2014,” Wearne said.
“There are quite a few positions available, and with a couple of impressive young players on the squad, I’m excited to see how hard the girls have been working.”
With three games on the first day, and two on the second as well as team building and other activities, the girls will be tested both physically and mentally.
After a watershed year for women’s baseball, in which Boral committed as the naming rights partner of the Australia Emeralds, Coach Wearne is looking to build on the success of the year.
“2016 is going to become a year to remember for women’s baseball,” Wearne said.
“With the growth of the sport this year as well as the Boral partnership, we’re excited to get over to Korea and continue the success.”
The team that will represent Australia is announced early next week.