Sherwood Knights matched it with the best teams in the state at Softball Victoria’s under-12 Spectacular Gala Day earlier this month.
Eight teams competed for gold at the gala day having progressed to the finals after winning their respective region qualifying events in November.
Knights’ coach Michael Bedwell said it was the first Sunbury Softball Association side to make it through to the final eight. The Knights won through from the northern region, which included teams from Northern Districts, Deer Park, Sunshine and other Sunbury teams.
“It was a real surprise,” Bedwell said. “There’s a really good bunch of youngsters at Sunbury and the quality has lifted.
“The kids were really excited. Many of the parents had Christmas parties that they had to rearrange. All of the kids made it to the day.”
The Knights won four games and drew the other to finish equal fourth.
Each team plays five games, with sides ranked on wins, losses, runs for and runs against.
Bedwell said while the children loved winning games, the event was more about having fun.
“All the children played different positions,” he said. “We had a couple of kids who are eight and you’re only allowed two 12-year-olds. The rest of the 13 were nine, 10 or 11.
“They didn’t care whether they won or lost. There was some really good moments in games, pressure moments.
“You’d think with five games on a hot day they would relax before games. But they were all out hitting and pitching between games.
“It was all played in really good spirit.”
