Softball: Walsh throws name in ring to keep job

Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh has had a change of heart and wants to stay on as coach of the New Zealand women's softball team.

Having earlier indicated he was to step aside, Walsh is now one of four candidates in contention for the job.

His latest term expired after the world championship in China where the White Sox finished outside the top eight last month.

The national team's coach since 1998, Walsh's first inclination was to call time on his career.

However, he has had a rethink and now wants to help New Zealand qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

New Zealand Softball (NZS) would not identify the four people seeking the position when applications closed today, but Walsh put his hand up, telling NZPA he felt a sense of unfinished business.

"I want to hang on in there for the Olympic qualifier in February," Walsh said.

New Zealand need to win the Asia-Oceania qualifying series in Taiwan to book a place for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

"I want to help make that happen for the girls and everyone in softball.

"We were all extremely disappointed with what happened at the world championship where we didn't even make the playoffs," said Walsh, who also coached the New Zealand men's team from 1981-97.

He considered New Zealand, Chinese-Taipei and Korea were the main contenders for the Asia-Oceania qualifying series.

Walsh said he was comfortable subjecting himself to a selection process.

"In the end other people will determine who does the job and if they decide it's time for someone else, that's cool."

NZS chief executive Dale Eagar is satisfied with the response to advertisements for the position.

" I think it is a good sign that there are four coaches out there who see themselves as capable of coaching at the international level and therefore able to deliver the desired results at that level.

"It can only be of benefit to the sport to have that sort of interest."

Eagar said a shortlist would be decided on before candidates were interviewed and he wanted to see an appointment made within the next 10 days.

- NZPA