The Queensland Youth Women’s Team is ready to take the national stage, with final preparations complete ahead of the Australian Youth Women’s Championships starting Tuesday 14 April.
In the lead-up, the team has drawn inspiration from some of Queensland baseball’s most respected figures. At their recent jersey presentation, former Queensland representative Laura Wagner – the 2022 Australian Women’s Championship MVP and a Brisbane Bandits ABL Women’s Showcase player – shared a powerful message with the group.
“Baseball isn’t just about the numbers,” Wagner said. “It’s about the connections you build along the journey. The people, the moments, and the experiences are what stay with you long after the game is over.”
The sentiment resonated strongly with the squad, reinforcing the importance of team culture and shared experience as they prepare for competition.
Adding to that inspiration, the players also heard from Baseball Queensland Life Member Kevin Cantwell. With decades of involvement in the sport and as a key contributor to the state’s performance pathway, Cantwell’s words left a lasting impact.
“There’s nothing better than representing your state and playing at the best of your abilities,” he told the group.
Just weeks out from competition, the opportunity to hear firsthand from one of Queensland’s most respected figures instilled a strong sense of purpose and pride. His message encouraged the players to embrace the honour of representing not only their state, but also their regions, clubs, families, and themselves.
Head Coach Neal Ragau praised the group’s preparation and mindset heading into the tournament.
“The group has prepared really well in the lead up,” Ragau said. “The consistency across sessions, the intent in their work, and the way they’ve connected as a team has been strong. They’ve put themselves in a great position heading into the tournament.”
The team flew out today, wasting no time in getting to work with a training session upon arrival. Now, all eyes turn to opening day tomorrow, where Queensland faces a challenging double header against Western Australia at 1:30pm, followed by South Australia at 3:45pm.
With strong preparation, inspiring guidance, and a united group, the Queensland Youth Women’s Team is ready to represent with pride.