Mount Gambier softballer Georgia Hood is one step closer to the Olympic dream

She was cut from the squad in 2019 but now the young gun is one of Australia’s first athletes to arrive in Japan – and she’s ready to secure her spot in softball team.

Mount Gambier’s Olympic hopeful had her dreams dashed in 2019 but now she had landed in Japan ready to claim a spot at the Tokyo Games.

Speaking from hotel quarantine in Ota City, Georgia Hood said it still did not feel real.

The 20-year-old is a member of the 23-strong Australian women’s softball squad fighting for a spot on the official Olympic team.

Australian softball national team players wave to the media upon their arrival at a hotel in Ota City, Gunma on June 1. Picture: Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP

After daily Covid-19 testing, Aussie Spirit will be released from quarantine on Saturday to begin its final preparations including matches against Japanese pro-teams before the team is named at the end of the month.

“We’re in a very safe environment and we’re not allowed out of the hotel to go into shops or anything. It’s all very strict and all very safe,” Hood said.

“We’re hanging around doing some gym work and getting through the days as they come.”

Hood did not make final selection in the lead up to the 2020 Games but when Covid-19 hit she got a second chance to impress the coaches.

Mount Gambier's Olympic hopeful Georgia Hood has landed in Japan ahead of the Tokyo games. Picture: Softball Australia

After four years of travelling to and from Mount Gambier she made the move to Adelaide and upped her training.

“I was actually cut from that squad so after that I had a little bit of a break from softball,” she said.

“Travelling is hard on your body, physically and also mentally as well so I think it has definitely helped and I’ve got more opportunities in Adelaide as well.”

Late last year Hood was at work when she got a call from an unknown number.

“I thought I don’t know if this is going be important and lucky I answered it,” she said.

Mount Gambier's Georgia Hood has been playing softball since the age of 5 or 6. Picture: Softball Australia

“I figure that training does actually pay off and everyone’s watching, it was definitely one of the most exciting phone calls that I’ve ever had because it’s not every day you get a second chance at something amazing like the Olympic Games.”

Lining up at first base and as a hitter, Hood plans to try her best and learn alongside her idol and captain Stacey Porter.

“Only 15 are allowed to compete in the Olympics so eight of us will get cut,” she said.

Georgia Hood (third) says she would have never made it to Japan with an Olympic debut in reach without the support of mum Tanya, sister Amber and dad Andrew Hood. Picture: Supplied

“Having a second chance I’m always going to be happy to be here and it’s just another challenge for me.

“We’re all one team and obviously we’re competing for a spot, but at the end of the day we’re all going to be happy for each other.”

The former Mount Gambier High School student first picked up the sport as a five or six-year-old following in the footsteps of her parents.

She played juniors for Mount Gambier’s Warriors Softball Club and made her way into seniors at a young age, eventually making the move to club softball in the city with Seacombe Softball Club and Hills Heat.

Softballer Georgia Hood could be Mount Gambier’s next Olympian. Picture: Softball Australia

“My mum has made me the person and the player I am today so without her I definitely wouldn’t be here at all,” she said.

“She’s devastated that she couldn’t be here.

“My extended family have been my biggest support crew, they’ve come to all of my tournaments so it will be weird not having my cheer squad here.”