Camden Valley Inn launches fundraisers to help Evan Wulff play in Men’s Softball World Cup

While spending months recovering from horrific burns to his entire body, a Sydney teenager never lost sight of his goal to play softball in an international tournament. Read how it has become a reality.

Camden boy Evan Wulff, 19, has been selected to represent Australia in the Men's Softball World Cup tournament taking place in Mexico, in November 2023.

Even after being hospitalised for horrific burns to his entire body, a Camden teenager still set his sights on representing Australia on the global softball stage. And it’s a dream about to come true.

Camden’s Evan Wulff, 19, has been selected to represent Australia in the U18 Men’s Softball World Cup in Mexico later this year.

Wulff, who plays outfield or pivot, also captained the NSW team in 2022 for the Under 18s Softball National Championship and was a part of the team when they won the 2023 competition.

Wulff has been playing softball since he was just eight years old when he started playing for the Camden Wanderers Softball Club.

“It was amazing to make the team because it’s always been a goal of mine to make an Australian team,” he said.

In 2018, Evan Wulff was hospitalised with severe burns to his body.

He had third-degree burns on his legs and second-degree burns on the rest of his body.

“There’s not much of a career in softball for men, but if there was, I would be doing it. The goal is to perform well at this World Cup and then set a new goal after this.”

In 2018, Wulff was hospitalised for three months with third-degree burns on his legs and second-degree burns on the rest of his body. He had been looking after the fire at a get-together when someone added methylated spirits to the blaze, which set Wulff on fire.

“I was in hospital for three months and had to wear skin garments for six months,” he said. “I couldn’t play during that time. As soon as I could get back into sport, I was always training.”

Despite the setback, Wulff trained hard and made it to the selection events this year before being chosen to be a part of the national team.

Wulff also works at the Camden Valley Inn, and from September 11 to 17, the pub is set to channel its efforts into helping him fundraise with a dollar from every chicken schnitzel sold to be contributed to his travel fund.

The pub has also set up a “travel tips jar” at each bar for patrons to drop their spare change in, and a GoFundMe page has also been established via the venue to allow people to donate online directly. The goal for the trip is $15,000.

Evan Wulff has been playing softball since he was eight years old.

General manager Kayla Seeney said it was heartwarming to witness the community coming together to support local talent.

“This campaign is a testament to the spirit of camaraderie that defines the Camden community, and we are proud to play a role in Evan’s pursuit of his dreams,” she said.

“Getting him to Mexico really is up to us and the local residents of Camden, and even Sydney, though – so we are strongly encouraging everyone to come down, enjoy a schnitzel, get to know Evan, pop your loose change in the Travel Tips jars we will have around the venue, and even donate to the GoFundMe page.”

Wulff said it was incredible to have the backing of the Camden Valley Inn and the community behind him as he readies to make his goal of playing on the world stage a reality.

He will play for the Junior Steelers who will come together in early November in Australia for training and warm-up games, before flying to Mexico for final preparations ahead of the World Cup, which takes place from November 11 to 19.