Mackay’s James Allen crowned MVP in U16 National Softball Tournament

He capped off a remarkable comeback from injury with an MVP performance but this teen isn’t done yet.

After co-captaining Queensland and being crowned Most Valuable Player in the Under-16s National Softball Tournament in Sydney, it would be an understatement to say James Allen was making his mark on the sport.

The Mackay boy’s performance on the national stage capping off a remarkable comeback from injury.

He was only cleared to return to sport from a dislocated shoulder last month having missed the end of the 2021 softball and the entire cricket season.

James Allen said it was his performance with bat in hand that crowned him MVP of the recent under-16 Nationals tournament. Picture: Supplied.

Allen’s Queensland boys enjoyed a successful tournament reaching the grand final.

However, they sadly fell to a New South Wales team in front of their home crowd, a team they had beaten in three earlier games over the course of the weekend.

The Queensland captain still believes New South Wales deserved the win.

“You’ve always got to have that belief there but at the end of the day the best team is going to come out on top and it just wasn’t us that day,” Allen said.

Discussing being awarded captaincy, Allen spoke with great pride.

“It’s a pretty special honour to have, especially only having two of us chosen out of the whole team,” he said.

“Having that passion for the game and that want to be better and see the team perform well.”

James Allen was the co-captain of the Under-16 Queensland softball team which finished second at the recent Nationals tournament. Picture: Supplied.

The tournament was the closest the Mackay boy has come to being crowned national champions in his several appearances for Queensland.

Another point to celebrate alongside being crowned MVP.

“Not many people get those awards. It’s a once in a lifetime moment and it was really humbling to receive it,” Allen said.

“My batting was probably my strength of the tournament, I was very strong in that department and my fielding was at a pretty high standard as well.”

Allen wanted to thank his specialists and physiotherapist who helped him get his shoulder to a point where he could perform on the national stage, and thank his parents and coaches for all their support.

His goal now is to continue honing in on his craft and hopefully one day represent Australia in the Open Men’s team.