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Two GB fastpitch softball teams – the GB Under-19 Women’s Team and the GB Under-16 Girls’ Team – are inviting applications from all players who wish to try out for these teams and make themselves eligible for selection in 2016.
The GB Under-19 Women’s Team will compete in the European Junior Women’s Championships from 1-6 August 2016 near Barcelona in Spain, and will be hoping for a medal after finishing fourth in 2014. To be eligible to compete for this team in 2016, players must be 19 or younger through the end of 2016.
The GB Under-16 Girls’ Team does not have an official European or World competition in 2016, but will compete in at least one tournament in Europe as part of their preparations for European Under-16 Championships in 2017. To be eligible to compete for this team in 2016, players must be 16 or younger through the end of 2016 – but to be eligible to compete in the next European Championships, players must be 16 or younger through the end of 2017.
Olympic chance
With softball looking likely to be restored to the Olympic programme in Tokyo in 2020, all of the GB female national teams are working together, under the overall direction of GB Women’s Team Head Coach Rachael Watkeys and Team Manager Simon Mortimer, to build a programme aimed at winning a Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will be held in 2019.
Players who do well in the Under-19 and Under-16 squads over the next few years will undoubtedly be considered for places in the Senior Team that will compete in that Olympic Qualifier.
All players who wish to be considered for selection Under-19 or Under-16 programmes should complete and return an initial application form by clicking here.