Young softballer Brad Kilpatrick sets sights on world championships

Even though he’s only 17, the Georges River Softball Association player has already represented his state and country and hopes to continue to excel.

Brad Kilpatrick. Picture: Tim Clapin

REVESBY youngster Brad Kilpatrick has the fire in his eyes to flip the world of softball on its head.

Even though he’s only 17, the Georges River Softball Association player has already represented his state and country and hopes to continue to excel.

His success has been no accident. Brad, who has been playing for 13 years, regularly trains five or six times a week to keep his skills up.

For his hard work and achievements, Brad is this week’s Local Sports Star nominee in the category of Junior Sports Star Individual.

“Playing for NSW and Australia has been such a huge honour,” he said.

“It was really good to see that my training and hard work has paid off.”

Picture: Tim Clapin

Brad was introduced to the sport through family friends at the age of four. He loved the game as well as the camaraderie so much that he stuck with it.

“You make friends for life from different areas and cultures so that’s always been a great factor,” he said. “I just really enjoy playing.”

The De La Salle College Year 12 student recently made the 30-man under-19 Australian squad.

Throughout the next few months he will be working on his abilities to try to make the final team which will head to Canada next year for the Under 19 World Championships.

Brad thanked all who had helped him get to such a high level in the sport, particularly his mum Kirsten.

“She’s the one who drives me around wherever I need to go and pays for all of my fees,” he said. “She makes it possible for me to play so I’m really thankful to her.”

The Local Sports Star program has five categories: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Stars Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Spirit Team, and Service to Sport.

Nominate someone at localsportsstars.com.au.