The move by Sunbury Pirates to join the Keilor Park Softball competition has paid off, with seven club members picked in Victorian development squads.
Five boys and two girls will join the under-13 squads, which will be in Sydney next month for the Blue Blazes championships.
Pirates’ head coach Dean Caplin and club secretary Sandy Elgin will join the tour, Caplin as boys development squad coach and Elgin as team manager.
Elgin said seven Pirates tried out for the development team, and all were selected.
Selected from the boys’ team were Lachlan and Mitchell Caplin, Benjamin and William Merrigan, and Camdyn White.
Lyyli McGauran and Skye Forbes go with the girls’ team.
“They had to trial at Northern Districts in Mill Park then the following week they went to Werribee for another trial,” Elgin said.
“We advised the kids at the club that the trials were on. There was no pressure for them to try out; just some encouragement to give it a go as you never know what will happen.”
Elgin said the reaction to the successful selection of the seven players was fantastic. “They play every Saturday together, so it’s pretty exciting.”
The Pirates were formed in 2012 and moved to Keilor Park after outgrowing the Sunbury Softball Association.
Four Sunbury Softball Association players were also chosen for the 13-boy state squad.
To help the Sunbury Pirates players get to Sydney, contribute to the fundraiser at bit.ly/1J8YYIf
