Junior Sports Star Martin Cook to represent NSW in Japan

MARTIN Cook first took up the softball bat and gloves when he was eight and his dad — a softball trainer — was curving the ball to him.

Softballer Martin Cook is set to make his mark in Japan. Picture: Adam Ward

• JSS Jessica Bowden a netball star
• Golfer Jackson Bugdalski’s promising US career
• Ben Camua excels in martial arts

MARTIN Cook first took up the softball bat and gloves when he was eight and his dad — a softball trainer — was curving the ball to him.

“I loved playing right from the start,” the 12-year-old said.

“I just didn’t want to stop.”

And since then the Blacktown schoolboy certainly hasn’t.

Tall for his age, Martin is an ace at batting, fielding and pitching, and was part of the under-13s team that hoisted the trophy of the Cumberland Nepean Softball Association competition this year.

Now the Walters Road Public School student, who plays for Wenty Waratahs, is off to Japan on a nine-day tour with a two-team NSW squad to take on opponents from other countries.

“I’m going on the bullet train and we’re going to play plenty of matches,” Martin said.

“I’m really looking forward to it. The team says I’m doing a good job at throwing, batting and catching.”

Martin’s mum, Louise, said her son had a go at everything and did so with happiness, passion and a great temperament.

Martin Cook plays for the Wenty Waratahs and NSW.

Martin has also raised more than $1500 to cover the costs of going to Japan. His mum said the overseas trip was the icing on the cake for Martin.

“He really has earned this trip to Japan,” she said.

But if anyone thinks the trip is the pinnacle of Martin’s softball prowess, think again.

“I really want to work hard and get to the Olympics,” he said.

“That’s my ambition. My dad still trains me at home and I train twice a week at Rooty Hill too, and I’m really loving it, so I reckon it could happen.”