Received: 3/16/06 5:46:15 PM From: "DiAnne Lilburn" <dianne.lilburn(at)softball.org.au> Subject: Australia goes head-to-head with Japan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Media Release 17 March 2006 Australia goes head-to-head with Japan The Australian Womens softball team will hit the diamond tonight to compete against world rivals, Japan, in a five-game series at Blacktown Olympic Park in New South Wales from 17-19 March. The Japan Series will give Australian selectors the opportunity to see where the team is at as they prepare for the Olympic qualifying event, the ISF Womens World Championship, to be held in Beijing in August 2006. Its important for us, as a team, to see where our athletes are compared to the rest of the world and what improvements are needed as we head into the world championship, said Fabian Barlow, Head Coach. Australia is no stranger to competing against the power and discipline of Japanese softball and expects Japan to send a full strength squad. Barlow is hoping that with a combination of five players who represented Australia in Athens mixed with players at the beginning of their international careers that the team will stand up to the demands of playing such a high quality team as Japan. Japan and Australia have been rivals for many years with Australia defeating Japan 3-0 in the Bronze medal match at Athens 2004, Australia going on to win Silver, and Japan proving last year that they were the best side in the world after winning the 2005 World Cup against the USA. We will be looking at trying different defensive combinations against the Japanese who will be applying pressure and testing our infield. Its a perfect opportunity for players to give themselves a chance for world championship and/or Olympic selection and we are looking forward to a competitive world-class series, concluded Barlow. The Opening Game on Friday 17 March will take place at 6.30pm (AEDT) and forms part of the Blacktown City Centenary Games festivities across Blacktown to mark 100 years of local government in Blacktown City. Softball Australia, in conjunction with New South Wales Softball Association, will be hosting the event and holding activities on Saturday 18 March with local multicultural groups as an early celebration to mark Harmony Day, an Australian Government initiative. FULL TEAM LIST BELOW AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW Fabian Barlow Head Coach, Australian Open Womens team ATHLETES Sandra Allen (QLD) Marissa Carpadios (QLD) Fiona Crawford (NSW) Kylie Cronk (QLD) Amanda Doman (QLD)* Kelly Gentle (NSW) Kelly Hardie (QLD) Natalie Hodgskin (QLD) Danica Howlett (NSW) Kate Judd (ACT) Jocelyn McCallum (QLD) Simmone Morrow (SA) Stacey Porter (NSW) Leah Quackenbush (WA) Kate Quigley (VIC) Danielle Stewart (QLD)* Kym Tollenaere (QLD) STAFF Fabian Barlow (Head Coach) (QLD) Troy Baverstock (Asst Coach) (NSW) Sue Tomlinson (Asst Coach) (SA) Jill Ritter (Manager) (NSW) Cheryl Dawes (Statistician) (QLD) Kylie MacDonald (Physio) (VIC) * Withdrawn due to injury FOR MORE INFORMATION ____________________________________ DiAnne Lilburn National Communications Coordinator Softball Australia Suite 4, Ground Floor 38-40 Prospect Street Box Hill, Victoria 3128 T: +61 3 9890 8200 F: +61 3 9890 8295 M: +61 (0) 405 509 674 For more information visit www.softball.org.au _____________________________________________________________________________ Did you know that Australia is the world's number one softball nation? World number two - Open Women's team (Aussie Spirit), Silver Medallist (Athens, 2004), Bronze Medallists (Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996). World number one - Under 19 Men's team (Aussie Colts), three consecutive World Championship titles. World number three - Open Men's team (Aussie Steelers) and Under 19 Women's team (Aussie Pride). Als Fastball List *Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.AlsFastball.com/ NEWS: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball VIA http://www.webbox.com
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