Baseball Australia are proud to announce the 33 young men that will attend the WBSC U15 World Cup Camp at Blacktown International Sportspark from 1-6 July.
The 33 athletes will be put through their paces in a week-long training camp ahead of the U15 World Cup in Panama beginning on August 10.
U15 World Cup Manager Andrew Kyle believes the camp will serve a variety of purposes.
“We will be using the week in Sydney not just as a trial, but an opportunity to prepare for Panama,” Kyle said.
“The staff will be looking to up the ante on the playing group, create a competitive environment that replicates what a World Championship will feel like.
“We want to play an aggressive brand of baseball so will really channel that process at camp.
“I think it’s an exciting time for baseball in Australia and it is a great age to start instilling those key values that have helped see the national program become ranked in the top 12.
Kyle guided the Perth Heat to a 26-14 record in season 2017/18, his first season at the helm of an ABL team.
Selection for the camp was based on nominations from state high performance managers, as well as evaluation from prior programming and tournaments.
General Manager – Team Australia Glenn Williams says the deep talent pool will prove challenging for the coaching staff.
“It’s been a long and difficult process to determine who was going to come and compete for the final team. It’s a testament to the continued hard work of young players all over the country,” Williams said.
“This will be a great camp with many more difficult decisions to make. We have had the opportunity to see all of these young men competing in various events and competitions over the last 12 months or so. It will be good use that information as well as what we see at the camp to put together what will no doubt be an exciting team for the World Cup.”
Australia sealed qualification for the U15 World Cup with a hard-fought series win over New Zealand in January’s Oceania Qualifier.
Andrew Kyle will be joined on the coaching staff by SA Pathways Manager Tyrone Hambly, former U12 World Cup coach Brian Murphy as well as 1988 Olympian Grant Weir.
Australia has been drawn alongside powerhouse Japan and two-time defending champions Cuba at the upcoming World Cup.
As well as Japan and Cuba, Australia will face the Netherlands, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic, with the top three teams progressing to the Super Round.