Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the Cronulla Little League team today ahead of their trip to the US for the Little League World Series next month.
Cronulla will represent Australia Region for a second time at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, from August 15-25.
“I’m really proud of what you achieved,” Mr Morrison told the players.
“I was blown away (when I heard) … for one of our teams from down here to not only win at the state level, but then win nationals.”
“I would love, next time I see President Trump, to be able to say ‘my Cronulla boys are World Series champions’.
“I would love to tell him that, I reckon that would be awesome because he loves winners.”
Cronulla punched its World Series ticket by claiming gold at the 2019 Australian Little League Championship in Lismore last month.
Cronulla manager Jason Choat said it was a thrill for the players to have a visit from the Prime Minister.
“This is really good, it’s special,” Choat said.
“There’s a lot of things that have been really good but this is a highlight.”
The Little League World Series will be another chance for Australian baseball to shine on the world stage.
West Australia Liam Hendriks yesterday became the third Aussie to feature in the MLB All-Star Game, striking out three of four batters he faced.
It came on the back of Victorian Lewis Thorpe becoming the 34th Australian to play MLB after debuting for Minnesota on June 30.
The Little League World Series features 16 teams – eight from the US and eight from around the world – of players aged 10-12.