Auckland side hoping to get to the church on time - NZ - Women

[Al Doran]

Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 20:40:10 +1300
From: Vance <vance(at)vanf-graphics.co.nz>
Subject: Auckland side hoping to get to the church on time


Auckland side hoping to get to the church on time
Thursday November 17th 2005

With the first week of the New Zealand Community Trust women's National 
League gets underway this weekend Auckland coach Nardi Leonard is facing 
two challenges,

While preparing her team for the task of taking on Wellington and Southern 
Pride Leonard is also trying ensuring everyone makes it to the softball's 
wedding of the year when NZCT White Sox outfielder Kalala Faalogo marries 
NZCT Black Sox world champion Roman Gabriel.

Leonard says all her team have been invited to the wedding and expects 
there will be a mad rush from the diamond to the celebrations on Saturday.

"We have talked about the wedding as a team and while we all realise it is 
a really big day in Auckland softball we also have a job to do out on the 
diamond. Both Kalala and Roman understand that and they would expect us to 
go out there and do the business," said Leonard.

Regardless of the excitement surrounding the wedding Leonard says her team 
is focussed on success in the national league this season after 
disappointing performances last year saw them miss out on a top four finals 
spot.

"For me as a coach I was really disappointed with our effort last season 
but when I analyse it I can't put my finger on any one thing that didn't go 
right but it comes down to the coach.

"The hard word has been put on all my players this season and no one can 
turn up and just expect to play while a lot of the team also have their own 
personal goals with the world champs next year in mind," said Leonard.

Key figures in any return to form for the Auckland team this season is 
going to be the performance of key players such as NZCT White Sox pitcher 
Carina Hale, White Sox captain Fiona Timu and international infielder 
Talilotu Tonu'u.

Auckland will play double headers against Southern Pride and Wellington 
this season and on paper they look to be the stronger team and should come 
away with the results Leonard is looking for.

In other first round games this weekend Wellington and Southern Pride will 
also face off while defending champions Hutt Valley will begin the defence 
of their title with two away games against Central Vikings at Akina Park, 
Hastings.


Saturday November 19th

1.00pm  Hutt Valley  v Central Vikings, Akina Park, Hastings.
1.00pm  Auckland v Wellington, Norana Ave Ballpark, Auckland.
3.00pm  Hutt Valley v Central Vikings, Akina Park, Hastings.
3.00pm  Southern Pride  v Auckland, Norana Ave Ballpark, Auckland.
5.00pm  Wellington v Southern Pride, Norana Ave Ballpark, Auckland.

Sunday November 20th

9.00am  Wellington v Southern Pride, Norana Ave Ballpark, Auckland.
11.00am Auckland v Southern Pride, Norana Ave Ballpark, Auckland.
1.00pm  Auckland v Wellington, Norana Ave Ballpark, Auckland.


By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell
*  mailto:kelly.mitchell(at)xtra.co.nz

http://www.softball.org.nz/
* mailto:snz(at)softball.org.nz


Cheers Vance
Softball New Zealand web master.
*   mailto:vance(at)vanf-graphics.co.nz

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