Softball: Canterbury softballers upbeat

Equalling Auckland's record of six consecutive national interprovincial championship titles is not pressing on the mind of Canterbury women's softball coach Jason Kumeroa.

After winning five titles in succession under Lynda O'Cain, Canterbury begin their title defence with a new coach in Christchurch today.

"It doesn't really interest me, to be honest," Kumeroa said of Auckland's record.

"What I would like to see from this team is to achieve the goals we've set ourselves. If we do that, that sixth title is possible."

Only five teams have entered the championship.

Kumeora said Canterbury would give equal respect to all their opponents, beginning with Auckland and Hutt Valley today.

Canterbury have eight survivors from last year's squad. The newcomers include the entire pitching staff of Lisa Such, Katie Cochrane, and June Tiopera, who are all aged under 19.

Kumeroa had no doubts the teenage pitchers, with a lot of experience around them, would do the job.

Such has previous national tournament experience for Wellington.

Kumeroa said the young players in the team were making the senior players enthusiastic and vice versa.

"Come tournament day there are no seniors or juniors. We're all one. They've done all their learning on the way to the nationals."

First base Char Pouaka is expected to play the entire tournament, although she had the plaster cast taken off a broken wrist only yesterday.

Kumeroa said the team had been training well for the past five weeks and he could not ask for more.NZPA




Head1: Canterbury softballers upbeat


Body1: Equalling Auckland's record of six consecutive national interprovincial championship titles is not pressing on the mind of Canterbury women's softball coach Jason Kumeroa.

After winning five titles in succession under Lynda O'Cain, Canterbury begin their title defence with a new coach in Christchurch today.

"It doesn't really interest me, to be honest," Kumeroa said of Auckland's record.

"What I would like to see from this team is to achieve the goals we've set ourselves. If we do that, that sixth title is possible."

Only five teams have entered the championship.

Kumeora said Canterbury would give equal respect to all their opponents, beginning with Auckland and Hutt Valley today.

Canterbury have eight survivors from last year's squad. The newcomers include the entire pitching staff of Lisa Such, Katie Cochrane, and June Tiopera, who are all aged under 19.

Kumeroa had no doubts the teenage pitchers, with a lot of experience around them, would do the job.

Such has previous national tournament experience for Wellington.

Kumeroa said the young players in the team were making the senior players enthusiastic and vice versa.

"Come tournament day there are no seniors or juniors. We're all one. They've done all their learning on the way to the nationals."

First base Char Pouaka is expected to play the entire tournament, although she had the plaster cast taken off a broken wrist only yesterday.

Kumeroa said the team had been training well for the past five weeks and he could not ask for more.

- NZPA