Magnificent seven fly flag

Seven players from Geraldton Softball Association will represent the State this month across a series of tournaments.

From as young as under-15s girls to the open men’s division, Geraldton has a representative in each age group selected in the 2018 Softball WA State teams.

Making her debut is 13-year-old Zoe Purcell, who will represent WA in the under-15 girls’ division at the tournament in Perth. Purcell, who plays for Midwest Marlins, said she was happy to be selected and excited to play at the tournament.

Representing WA for the second year in the under-17 boys, Cooper Jefferies said he was nervous but felt the team was stronger this year, especially with his Suiside teammate Joseph Mazza joining for his debut.

Joseph said he was nervous but trained regularly and expected to have a solid first tournament.

“We train every second weekend in Perth and twice a week locally, so I think we could go well this year,” he said.

The under-17 boys will head to New South Wales this month.

Also heading east this month is Suiside catcher Teagan Mundy, who has been selected for the under-17 girls’ team for the second time.

“It’s great to be selected again — our team this year has a lot of potential to go far and improve on last year,” she said.

In the boys’ under-19 team, representing WA for the first time are Martians players Daniel Stewart and Riley Jupp.

Stewart said it was great to see so many regional children getting selected in the teams.

“We should do pretty well this year — we have a really solid side, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

Geraldton Softball Association board member and local Rams A-grade player Dion Harrison will represent the State for the second time in the open men’s division in Canberra. Harrison said it was great seeing plenty of players from Geraldton representing the State.

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve had a number of people going away and representing WA at different ages,” he said.

“It’s good to see Geraldton getting some recognition for the talent we’ve got up here.”

Harrison hoped the junior players would keep on representing WA for years to come and get a good career out of the game.