WAIS athlete Leigh Godfrey in action.
WAIS athletes within the WA Flames side will travel to Sydney on Sunday for Round four of the Gilleys Shield National League and subsequent finals playoff.
The Flames currently sit first on the ladder going in to the last Round.
Of the 12 WAIS softball scholarship holders, 11 have been selected with 15 year old Jemma Freegard the only one to miss the Final series.
Seven games will be played in round four and a top two finish is the target for the Flames. The final series playoff is determined by final placings and a top two finish will give the Flames an opportunityin the first vs second game to go straight through to the Grand Final should they win, or play the team coming through from below should they loose.
WAIS Head softball Coach Kere Johanson believes his side is in good physical and mental state for the crunch end o the season, and revealed some unique tips in his preparation.
“Thephysical preparation has been good but I have been happy with addressing the mental preparation of the team in the past three weeks,” he said.
“It was then that we actually prepared for the Grand Final identifying traitsand performances at the Australian tennis Open from certain individuals as well as our own and other sporting codes.”
“Since then the focus has been directed back on ourselves and setting a realistic targets and goals for the team as we have done in the first three Rounds of the Gilleys Shield.”
“I will be looking forsolid consistent performances from experienced WAIS athletes such as Chelsea Forkin, Verity Long-Droppert, Michelle Andrew, Chermai Clews, Jodie Stevenson & Leigh Godfrey who will be returning from her USA based College,Radford Universityin Virginia.”
Johanson is confident that his side can continue to be a force into the future with a young squad of talented softball athletes.
“This team has matured well in the most critical areas of the game, and boasting an averageage of 21 they could well dominate the National scene for some time to come,” Johanson said.
FIXTURES:
Gilleys Shield Draw for WA Flames Round 4
Tues 17th
9.30am vs Qld Heat
5.00pm vs ACT Diamonds
7.30pm vs Vic Titans
Wed 18th
2.30pm vs Qld Heat
5.00pm vs NSW Firestars
Thurs 19th
2.30pm vs ACT Diamonds
7.30pm vs SA Starz
Fri 20th Playoffs
Sat 21st Playoffs & Grand Final
