By Pat Healey Marketing and Media Consultant ISF 2005 JR. MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP http://www.2005worldsoftball.com

[INVERCARGILL, NEW ZEALAND] The ISF 2005 Jr. Men’s World Softball Championship will be a true family affair for New Zealand’s Mathew Telfer. Mathew will be following in the footsteps of brothers Michael (1997) and Chris (2001) when he suits up for New Zealand at the championship June 24 to July 3 in Summerside. “We are both really looking forward to it, especially since we have not been to PEI before,” said Karen Telfer, Mathew’s mom. “We’re also hoping to get time to have a look around if we can in between games.” This year’s World Championship will be Karen’s third and her husband Colin’s fourth. The Telfer’s have grown up in the sport of softball, continuing the family sport hood as Karen and Colin both played the sport. Now all six kids are involved in sports in one way or another. “We all love the game as Mum and Dad played and kept it going as a family sport,” Mathew said. “We’re also quite involved in coaching, grounds and other softball committees. A lot of hard work and training goes into it.” Mathew is thrilled to continue the past traditions set by his older brothers, which included Michael’s trip to Newfoundland and Labrador. “It has always been a goal since I was 10yrs old when Michael made the team for 1997 World Championship,” Mathew added. “We worked it out then that Chris and I would both be the right ages then to make the New Zealand Under-19 teams, so that has always been my goal. I’m thrilled that I have made it.”

Mathew does have one advantage over his brothers though. He made the Under 16 boys team that traveled to Australia in 2002, where he took home MVP honors for New Zealand. “It has always been my goal to make a World Series and it has all fallen into place,” Mathew said. “It’s a bonus to keep up the tradition, and my brothers kept a bit of pressure on me.” The Verdon College student said that it would be a privilege to wear the New Zealand colours during the championship. “It’s awesome that the three of us have all made the WS for that age group,” said Mathew, 18. “It’s a real privilege to carry on the tradition. Mathew is keeping his work in family too as he is doing his drain-laying apprenticeship with the family-owned Telfer Drain-laying in his hometown, which has a population of about 50,000. “The history of our achieved sportsman is pretty blimin good actually, softball has done well in the past,” Karen added.

Karen and Colin both support their children’s endeavors in the sport, although to continue their sport they have to travel north many a times from their city of Invercargill, in the South Land region. They have three girls coming up through the sport of softball. Alice is 16 while twins Joanna and Katie are 12-years-old. “We’re extremely proud of the children’s achievements and have also been so lucky to be able to follow them around the world,” said Karen. “With having a large family I guess it’s pretty awesome to see that they have all done so well,” said Karen. “It makes it hard for the other three girls coming up behind though doesn’t it. Karen and Colin are both from sporting families, so that may have helped get the five kids into the sport. But with being so involved in sports, they have not much time for anything else. “You are right about the spare time and spare money!” Karen explained. “Other things just go on the back boiler and you do what you can for them. They are all involved in many other sports and they just love having a go at most things. But there is a limit!! ”

Pat Healey
MARKETING AND MEDIA CONSULTANT
ISF 2005 JR MEN’S WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
mailto:phealey@2005worldsoftball.com