Softball: Cash landing for triumphant White Sox

The victorious White Sox flew back to New Zealand yesterday to learn that the Sports Foundation had agreed to review their funding after qualifying for the women's softball competition at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Each member of the 17-strong squad who won this week's Asia-Pacific qualifying tournament had to pay $3700 to attend the contest in Taiwan.

New Zealand beat Taiwan 2-0 in the best-of-three final to mark a significant return to form for the White Sox, who had underachieved for several years, including finishing outside the top 10 at last year's World Series in Japan.

But it was too late to prevent funding cuts by the Foundation, whose chief executive, Chris Ineson, said yesterday that the issue would now be revisited.

"Hopefully with our success over in Taiwan they will look at us more favourably and more funding will be accorded," said coach Mike Walsh, who arrived home with his triumphant team yesterday.

"If they are saying that they will revisit the funding issue then that is great, because we are certainly going to need it.

"If we are to go to the Olympics as medal prospects then we're going to need one, maybe two, international tours."

Having guided the national men's Black Sox team to World Series victory in 1996, Walsh said he believed the White Sox were capable of delivering a medal next year.

"I believe this team have the potential and talent to be a medal prospect in Sydney with the right programme," he said.

"They've got tremendous desire and commitment and I'm sure we can improve immensely over the next 18 months with the way we want to play the game and their own personal skill levels."
- NZPA