Gold Coast Cougars head to the 2018 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, targeting Australia’s best result at the event.
The Cougars will become the first Queensland charter to represent Australia Region at any of the Little League World Series events and have their sights on more history.
Cougars’ coach Brent Iddon says the charter is confident it can have success on junior baseball’s biggest stage.
“Our goal from day one was to be going to Williamsport,” he said.
“We’re not going over to win one game, we’re not going over to win two games, we’re going over there to win it.
“You can’t think any other way.”
The Cougars booked their ticket to the prestigious event in June, defeating Adelaide Seahawks 11-0 in the gold medal game at the 2018 Bendigo Bank Australian Little League Championship.
Since then preparations have ramped up, as has support from the Gold Coast community.
Iddon said the players had embraced the ride.
“The kids are a bit over training and wanting to dive into it, so I’ve been having to tell them to be patient,” he said.
“The message has been to take it all in, don’t expect anything and take it all as it comes.
“There’s really no sporting event in this country and big as this one, it really blows my mind how big it is.
“There’s a good six or seven that have never been overseas, let alone to America, so they’re going to love it.”
Gold Coast heads to the US today ahead of taking on Mexico Region in its opening game next Friday morning (Australian time).
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN from 7am AEST.