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Geraldton U23 team reaches finals in State softball championships after 20-year drought

Derek GoforthGeraldton Guardian
Geraldton's under-23 team with coaches Kane Jefferies, left, and Sean Thompson, right.
Camera IconGeraldton's under-23 team with coaches Kane Jefferies, left, and Sean Thompson, right. Credit: Vada Etherton

Local Geraldton softball players made waves at the recent State under-23 and under-16 championships in Mirrabooka, marking a historic achievement for the local association.

Geraldton Softball Association returned to the competition on October 12-13 after a 20-year absence, and coach Kane Jefferies expressed immense pride in the team’s performances.

“Our U23 team made history by reaching the finals in our first year of competition, after a 20-year drought. I’m extremely proud of each player’s resilience and teamwork,” he said..

“This achievement showcases the growth and potential of softball within our association.”

The Geraldton side made it into the grand final bit lost to the South East Metropolitan Softball Association 15-0.

Jefferies added this success signalled an exciting new chapter for GSA, with hopes of fielding more representative teams in various age divisions at next year’s State championships.

In addition to the U23 team’s success, Geraldton’s young talent made their mark in the U16 and U14 divisions, joining forces with other associations to compete.

Geraldton’s Jayven Dicken and Beau Watts represented Rockingham in the U14 boys competition, putting in strong performances and gaining valuable experience on the State stage.

Lily Bellotti donned Rockingham colours in the U16 girls competition, showcasing her skills and determination throughout the tournament.

Kirk Piper and Jaryd Bear both played for Rockingham in the U16 boys division, with their standout performances earning them selection in the prestigious WA Futures Regional Team — a testament to their hard work and potential.

Sarah McCabe, coach of the U14 Rockingham team, had nothing but praise for the Geraldton players.

“I had the privilege to have two players from Geraldton represent in our team — Beau Watts and Jayven Dicken. They represented your association extremely well, not only by their talent but the positive sportsmanship they demonstrated on and off the diamond,” she said..

“They both had sensational moments throughout the games. The team finished second unfortunately losing to PSL Red in the grand final, however won three out of four pool games and beating PSL White in the semi-final. You all should be very proud of your boys.”

On social media, GSA stated “‘we’re incredibly proud to see our young athletes representing their respective teams and showcasing their skills on the big stage. GSA players merging with other teams to create unforgettable experiences.”

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