Olympic Games’ dream of softballers Chelsea Forkin and Jessica Torpey close to reality

The Olympic Games’ dream of softballers Chelsea Forkin and Jessica Torpey will become a reality after Australia qualified for Tokyo 2020. The pair were part of Aussie Spirit unbeaten campaign at the Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier in China.

The Olympic Games’ dream of softballers Chelsea Forkin and Jessica Torpey will become a reality after Australia qualified for Tokyo 2020.

The pair were part of Aussie Spirit unbeaten campaign at the Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier in Shanghai, China, which secured the side entry to the Games.

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Forkin, an elder statesman of the team, said it was “hard to put into words’’ the team’s accomplishment.

“It is super surreal,’’ she said.

“All the hard work, the preparation is worth it.

“For many players it has been a dream.

“It is super exciting not only for the girls who were part of it, but also for softball in general.’’

Bears player Chelsea Forkin running toward base for Australia. credit WBSC

She said it was also a moment for people around the players, like family and friends, teammates and coaches, to saviour.

Forkin said the decision by Softball Australia to send the squad to the United States to play in the National Pro Fast Pitch League could not be under estimated. They played under the banner of the Aussie Peppers.

“It was a massive role,’’ the Redcliffe State High School teacher said.

“Going there and being part of the season, getting 50 plus games under our belts, being together as a team daily playing, a daily training environment, it certainly paid dividends,’’ she said.

Bears player Chelsea Forkin running into base for Australia. credit WBSC

But being prepared is only part the job. The other part is having the ability to win in China under pressure.

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“The competition was great. It was world class,’’ Forkin said.

“We certainly stuck to our processes over there.

“We knew we had to win every game to give ourselves the best chance of qualifying.

“Every time we played, it was on the line.

“It is a credit to our preparation, sticking to the process.’’

Australian softball players Chelsea Forkin and Jessica Torpey

Forkin said going through the qualifying tournament unbeaten also gave the squad confidence entering the Olympics.

“We will now go into the Olympics as a real threat,’’ Forkin said.

She said it gave the side confidence knowing if “we continue to stick to our processes and game plan, and all play our role’’ then Australia can match it with anyone.

Forkin, who lives at Everton Park, and Mitchelton resident Torpey were also teammates at the Bears.