Australia goes head-to-head with Japan - women

[fastball]

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  
 


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Media Release
17 March 2006
 
Australia goes head-to-head with Japan

The Australian Women’s 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 Women’s World Championship, to be held in Beijing
in August 2006. 
 
“It’s 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. It’s 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 Women’s 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).
 

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