Penrith softballer Taylah Tsitsikronis named in Australian squad for Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier

Penrith City Softball Association’s Taylah Tsitsikronis will be among the Aussie squad vying to claim the final Olympic spot at next month’s Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier.

Penrith softballer Taylah Tsitsikronis named in Australian squad for Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier. Picture: Brett Costello

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Penrith City Softball Association’s Taylah Tsitsikronis has been named in the extended Aussie Spirit squad who will compete for the final 2020 Olympic spot at next month’s Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier.

Held in Shanghai, China from September 24 to 28, the tournament will see Australia go head-to-head against seven of the region’s best national teams in an effort to secure a place in softball’s historic Olympic return at Tokyo 2020.

It will be the first time softball features at an Olympics since 2008.

In preparation for the tournament, Tsitsikronis and 29 of Australia’s top softballers have spent the last 10 weeks competing in the United States’ National Pro Fastpitch league.

Tsitsikronis will travel to Shanghai, China for the tournament, which will be held from September 24 to 28. Picture: Sam Donkin Photography

“There’s no replacement for game time against top level athletes and that’s what we’ve been able to put our players through over the last few months,” Aussie Spirit head coach Laing Harrow said.

“The coaching staff and I were able to try out a few things over the course of the season and give ourselves a good idea of what we can improve on between now and the qualifier.”

With no guarantee for softball’s Olympic future, Harrow said it was vital that Australia make the most of their opportunity.

“We were able to get a great look at the Chinese national team (in the NPF,” Harrow said.

“They beat us for a spot in the Asia Pacific Cup Final in Sydney earlier this year and went on to win that, and they’ll be tough again in the qualifier. So the nine games we were able to play against nearly their full-strength team throughout the NPF is the perfect preparation.”

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