Richards will head to Invercargill to host an evening clinic at ILT Stadium on Monday 28 September with the aim of the trip to garner up interest within the region and find key members to help push the game forward. Following Invercargill Richards will shoot over to Dunedin for a two day coaching seminar from 29-30 September.
The framework has been put in place with Otago University establishing a baseball club. Richards will head down to help upskill the local coaches including Auckland Tuatara Development player Mitch Finnie.
Other leading figures to come out of the Otago region are U18 New Zealand wider squad member Arana Kelly and ex-New Zealand Diamondblacks representative Daniel Bradley.
Finnie and Bradley currently play softball because baseball is not offered but that is about to change. With the help of Baseball New Zealand and the Auckland Tuatara the pair will lead the charge to get baseball started in Dunedin.
The US Embassy granted Baseball New Zealand some funding to run coaching seminars throughout the country. This assistance has proved very helpful in growing the game. There were 30 coaches attend similar coaching clinics in Wellington. Three years ago there were no baseball coaches in Wellington.
The Auckland Tuatara has played a huge role in providing a pathway for kids and showing New Zealand that baseball is the preferred diamond sport.
“We have the coaching and the interest to get baseball started in Invercargill and Dunedin, now we need to upskill the coaches so they may deliver baseball throughout their respective regions,” Richards said. “Baseball is here to stay in New Zealand, and it is growing and growing fast.”
Finnie, a proud Otago native, has been working hard to see the sport really establish itself over the past couple of years and he is now able to see the fruits of his labour.
“It is exciting to see Baseball NZ coming to Dunedin and helping to get baseball started,” Finnie said. “Hopefully this clinic engages the community and more people come forward to help get baseball started in the south island.”
If you are interested in the FREE coaching seminar register below or turn up on the day.
If you are interested in starting a club please email Baseball New Zealand CEO, John Fellet: john.fellet@baseballnewzealand.com.
Dunedin and Invercargill Seminars
Register: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/134242
Invercargill Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/618538808702418/
Dunedin Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1uP0QXQRv
Invercargill Coaches Clinic
Monday 28 September
4:00PM - 5:00PM, ILT Stadium Meeting Room
5:00 - 6:30, ILT Stadium GYM Floor
Dunedin Coaching Seminar
Tuesday 29 September
5:00PM - 8:00PM
Edgar Centre Indoor Facility
Dunedin Coaching Seminar
Wednesday 30 September
4:00PM - 7:00PM
Ellis Park
Edgar Centre Indoor Facility (Rain Venue)
From baseballnewzealand.com.
