Coomera Cubs Goes Pink for Breast Cancer

Coomera Cubs Goes Pink for Breast Cancer

Written by the Coomera Cubs, this story highlights the success of their recent breast cancer fundraiser event held at Surfers Paradise Baseball Club. Despite obstacles, the community rallied together, showcasing their unity and commitment to supporting an important cause. Read on to learn how their efforts made a meaningful impact in the fight against breast cancer.

In a heart-warming display of solidarity & support, the Coomera Cubs community came together to raise spirits & funds at the Coomera Cubs recently held breast cancer fundraiser event. The event, which took place on Sunday 11th Feb 2024 at Surfers Paradise Baseball Club, was a resounding success, drawing attendees from all walks of life who were eager to contribute to this important cause.

 

With everything stacked against the event going ahead from the tornado that swept through & ravaged Coomera Cubs’ facilities on Christmas night to the rain that cancelled 3 of the 4 scheduled games on the event day, Coomera Cubs worked with the Surfers Paradise Baseball Club, who kindly handed over the use of their facilities to Coomera Cubs to allow the event to proceed.  The willingness to assist Coomera Cubs Baseball Club displayed by Surfers Paradise Baseball Club, will hopefully be the start of more clubs working together to deliver events such as this one to show the wider community what baseball is made of!

Organised with meticulous planning & care by Coomera Cubs Treasurer, Jodie Sippel, who was supported by an awesome bunch of volunteers on the day & in the lead into the event, the fundraiser proved that when a club decides to get behind a worthwhile cause such as breast cancer to raise awareness about breast cancer & provide much-needed support to those battling the disease – great things can be achieved.  The support that was shown to the event by club members & families & members from other clubs purchasing pink jerseys, caps, cupcakes, bracelets, pins, brownies & canteen food & beverages both pre-event & on the day of the event, created a warm & inclusive atmosphere where attendees could connect & show their support while watching the Coomera Cubs GBL A Grade team battle it out on the diamond against Pine Hills Lightning.  The day was topped off with a walk off hit by Josh Welch in the bottom of the 11th innings with a 3-2 win to Coomera Cubs.

One of the highlights of the event was that even with the sour weather on the day, the fundraising drive saw an outpouring of generosity from attendees eager to make a difference. Through donations & merchandise sales, the community rallied together to raise $3650 that will go towards funding research, awareness campaigns, & support services for individuals & families affected by breast cancer.

Beyond the financial contributions, the event served as a powerful reminder of the strength & resilience of the baseball community when faced with adversity.  By coming together to support a common cause, attendees not only raised crucial funds but also fostered a sense of unity & hope that will continue to resonate long after the event has ended.

As Coomera Cubs reflect on the success of the fundraiser, they express heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed their time, resources & support to make the event a success.  Their tireless efforts & unwavering dedication have made a meaningful impact on the fight against breast cancer, inspiring others to join the cause & work towards a future free from this disease.

In the spirit of unity & compassion, Coomera Cubs looks forward to future events & initiatives that will continue to raise awareness & support those in need.  These types of events show that when clubs work together, great things can be achieved in the fight against causes such as breast cancer & know that our collective efforts can make a difference in the lives of many.

Calling U13 females to play at the QLD Little League State Titles Division 3 in April

Calling U13 females to play at the QLD Little League State Titles Division 3 in April

As part of our ongoing efforts to promote and develop baseball in Queensland, we would like to extend an invitation to any U13 females who have the desire to play in a Youth Girls Team competing in the Queensland Little League Division 3 State Titles from 12/13 April – 14 April 2024, hosted by Redcliffe Padres Baseball Club. 
 
We encourage players to play for their regions first, as we believe it is important to develop strong regional teams/culture, however, we also recognise that there may be female players who have the desire to play and may not have the opportunity via their region. 
 
EOI close Sunday 24th March 2024 at 5pm.  Register your interest now via button below:
QLD EOI’s now open for 2024 Barclay Cup

QLD EOI’s now open for 2024 Barclay Cup

Baseball enthusiasts across Australia are excited as the Barclay Cup returns in 2024 from September 29 to October 5, hosted by Baseball NSW. Named after Emeralds legend Jacinda Barclay, the tournament for girls aged 13-16 embodies her passion for inclusivity in baseball.

The Barclay Cup provides a platform for young female athletes nationwide, fostering camaraderie and empowerment. Unlike traditional state-versus-state matchups, the tournament welcomes multiple teams from each state, promoting unity and friendship among participants.

Deb Barclay, Jacinda’s mother, expresses pride in seeing the tournament grow, echoing Jacinda’s belief in encouraging girls from all backgrounds to embrace baseball.

Please note that the venue is yet to be confirmed.

Stay Tuned for more updates via:

Barclay Cup Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BarclayCupBaseball

Baseball NSW: https://www.baseballnsw.com.au/event/barclay-cup-2024/

AYC 2024 U16 WRAP-UP

AYC 2024 U16 WRAP-UP

Following the tales of our U18 players at the Australian Youth Championships (AYC), we now highlight our U16 team. With pride, we share the stories of these young athletes who returned with silver medals. Join us as we explore Paddy McLoughlin and Cooper Teichmann’s experiences on the field, providing insight into competition and camaraderie at the national level.

Q&A WITH PADDY MCLOUGHLIN

What position/s did you play during AYC?

I played outfield and pitcher.

Your proudest moment individually or as a team?

I was really proud when my coach put me as starting pitcher against NSW, and I felt like I pitched well for the team.  Our proudest moment as a team was when we came back from being 5 runs behind against VIC and we walked it off.  Every person in the team played so hard to get the win.

What did you do during the rain delays, did you bond as a team, or did you take the time for some personal reflection/training?

We bonded as a team the whole time at AYC, we all got on really well together.  During the rain delays we went to the games room in the hotel and it was also really good hanging out with players from other states.  On the last day when finals were rained off the coaches took time with each of us to give feedback on the tournament.

How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?

Nationals are more intense and it’s where you want to play your best baseball.  I was really proud to represent my State at Nationals and it’s good that you have scouts watching, it’s a big deal.  As I was a second year, it was also good being one of the leaders with the other second year players. 

How did you feel when you found out that you were awarded silver?

I wasn’t expecting us to get silver, we were supposed to play in the bronze medal game so it was a surprise when we got silver. We were really happy, but we all would have liked to play finals and win the medal, but it shows you never know what is going to happen in tournament baseball, and how important our first round results were when we battled every game.

From your AYC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?

I am always working hard to improve my game and it is important to learn from every game.  As a team we bonded well and worked well together, it was great how everyone supported each other and encouraged each other, I think we can work on reducing errors in the field, our bats were pretty aggressive so we need to keep that up.

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).

The baseball was always fun and we had a great time playing, but it was also really fun playing in the games room with the other teams.  When we went out for dinner as a team we had a good laugh with the coaches too.

Q&A WITH COOPER TEICHMANN

What position/s did you play during AYC?

Catcher for majority of the tournament and played one game at 3B.  I also got to the opportunity to pitch.

Your proudest moment individually or as a team?

Individually was the defensive plays I made against Victoria, throwing out multiple runners in the second round of competition.  As a team it was definitely how well we gelled as a team and coming home with a silver medal.

What did you do during the rain delays, did you bond as a team, or did you take the time for some personal reflection/training?

We bonded as a team, the hotel had a common area/gaming room where we could hang out as a team and have some fun.  There was some good table tennis competition going on amongst the team.

How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?

The competition was to a higher standard, there were strong teams with a lot of good players from around the country.  There was a lot of pride on the line, representing your state and playing for a national title.  It was a really good overall experience.

How did you feel when you found out that you were awarded silver?

I was happy that we ended up with silver, but due to the rain it impacted the second round.  I would have preferred to play all of the games in the second round and then let the final results determine the medal winners, but I’m really proud we won the silver medal.

From your AYC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?

Individually I would have liked to get some more hits, but I had good preparation going into the tournament and will continue to work on my hitting from both sides of the plate.  As a team I would say to continue to work on how to win the close games and handle pressure situations better.

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).

Most fun moment was our victory over Victoria in the first round.  The way we came from behind to win was really fun.  It was a close game with a few lead changes and to win that game meant a lot to the team.

AYC 2024 U18 Wrap-up

AYC 2024 U18 Wrap-up

As the dust settles on the exhilarating Australian Youth Championships (AYC) held this past January, we take a moment to delve into the personal journeys and experiences of two remarkable players, Liam Kiddle and Lachlan Jones. From nail-biting games to rain-soaked delays, their insights offer a captivating glimpse into the highs and challenges of competing at a national level.

Q&A WITH Liam kiddle

What position/s did you play during AYC?

I played rightfield.  

Your proudest moment individually or as a team?

I was proud of the group when we came back against a big lead against Western Australia and put together a good effort to tie the game after being down 4 runs in the last inning.

What did you do during the rain delays, did you bond as a team, or did you take the time for some personal reflection/training?

There was plenty of time for both.  I enjoyed getting to know some of the guys that I had played against but hadn’t previously spent much time with.  I also used the time for preparation, it’s a good opportunity to get into a good headspace and get locked in. I used these times to relax and visualise.

How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?

It’s very different as you’re playing at a much higher level.  The competition is harder, the stakes are higher and the games tend to be a lot tighter. It’s so much fun.

From your AYC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?

Collectively the team didn’t execute in big moments. There were some snippets of it however we struggled to come through in those big moments with runners on base. Personally there’s always a lot to work on.  Defensively I have spent more time as a corner infielder, so there is a lot I’m still working on to become the best outfielder I can be.

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).

A big moment for me which was a lot of fun was the triple I hit against WA to tie the game down to our final strike. The energy was good.

Thank you

I would like to thank the coaches for the time and work they put in with us. 

Q&A WITH LACHLAN JONES

What position/s did you play during AYC?

My position was catcher, I also played a game as a first baseman.

Your proudest moment individually or as a team?

My proudest moment was when the team was down against WA. After already playing a game in the afternoon, the boys were down by three runs going into the last inning and we managed to claw our way back and tie it up in the pouring rain! The fellas were scrambling to get tarps on and off the field just so we could keep our momentum rolling, which is something you don’t see every day from a group of under-18-year-olds.

What did you do during the rain delays, did you bond as a team, or did you take the time for some personal reflection/training?

During the rainy days we were given some options of what we wanted to do, go see a movie, shopping, etc. I used this time to try and relax and recover in case we were going to be able to get back out on the field and just enjoy being around the boys for the time we had left. I also used the time to get some holiday study done.

How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?

Playing in a National tournament is a lot different playing environment, it turns up the intensity and the speed of the game. You have a lot more eyes on you all of the time and the expectations increase big time. But the pride factor is definitely something for me that doesn’t change whenever I am playing it’s with a purpose and that’s not to let my people, club, or state down, I want to give it my all, all of the time.

From your AYC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?

As a team, what we can definitely improve on as a whole, is having that one same goal, to win a national championship! I felt like that was lost in Sydney and there were times when the individual goals of players may not have always aligned with the team’s goal. Also learning or understanding how to block out the distractions, sure, having scouts watch is great and exciting, but being able to learn to block them out and just show up as a team, stay present and keep focused on the common goal.

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).

Favourite FUN moment for me was on one of the rainy days. We got to use a function room at the hotel, which had all sorts of games and fun stuff to do to keep us occupied and enjoy ourselves.