The Ghajnsielem Redcoats received financial assistance from SportMalta and the Ghajnsielem Local Council to make participation in this tournament possible

In two weeks’ time the Għajnsielem Redcoats U18 softball team will participate in the prestigious XXXIV Memorial Civelli International Softball Tournament at Castions Delle Mura near Venice. Some of the best youth softball teams from northern Italy will participate in this competition along with two teams of SK Joudrs Praha of the Czech Republic. The U16 Italian National team will also participate in preparation for the European Championship.

Yesterday the draw for the competition was made with the Redcoats drawn against SK Joudrs Praha Blue and Bulls Rescaldina in POOL C. Although both these teams are very tough opponents, the Redcoats were happy to have avoided the Italian National team as well as the hosts, Friul ’81 Softball.

POOL A	POOLB	POOL C
MILANO 46	ITALIAN U16 NATIONAL TEAM	JOUDRS PRAHA BLUE
VICENZA	FRIUL’81	GHAJNSIELM REDCOATS
BEAVERS	JOUDRS PRAHA ORANGE	BULLS RESCALDINA

The commitments of the Redcoats start on Friday, July 5, with back-to-back games against the two opponents in the Group, with Game 1 at 11:10 against Joudrs, and at 12:50 Game 2 against the Bulls. Then, on Saturday the Redcoats will play against a team from each of the other two pools depending on where they finish in POOL C. At the end of the day the nine teams will be ranked according to their record over the two days so that on Sunday there will be the placing finals.

The Redcoats are very eager to do well in this high level tournament. The Club is also keen to find out where the team stands in relation to top European U18 teams. The coaching staff has been preparing the players for this tournament since February, when the participation in this competition was confirmed. Head Coach Joseph Scicluna, along with Assistant Coach Steve Ellis, have stepped up the intensity of the sessions over the past few weeks. A training camp is also scheduled for next week with the involvement of coach Lisa Maulden from the United States, and coach Roldan Ochoa Diaz from Venezuela, who will be coming to Gozo to assist in the final preparations for the tournament.

The roster for the tournament is as follows:

Players:

Estelle Scicluna Pitcher/Outfield

Monique Attard Pitcher/Utility

Corinne Grima Catcher

Daphne Cassar 1st Base

Rebecca Grech Middle Infield

Monique Camilleri Middle Infield

Ilena Buttigieg Middle Infield

Simona Refalo 3rd Base

Kimberley Scerri Outfield

Marilise Vella Outfield

Laragh Tabone Outfield/1st Base/Pitcher

Marija Vella Outfield

Coaching Staff

Joseph Scicluna Head Coach

Steve Ellis Assistant Coach

Lisa Maulden Assistant Coach

Roldan Ochoa Diaz Trainer

Michelle Zuber Physiotherapist

Support Staff:

Josephine Scicluna Player Liaison

Gilbert Scicluna Bat Boy

This will be the second experience for the Club participating in a tournament at Castions Delle Mura. In 2017, the U13 baseball team competed in the XXVI Memorial Federico Zuttion International Youth Baseball Tournament and earned the respect of the organisers as well as of their opponents with the tenacity of the players.

The Club received financial assistance from SportMalta and the Għajnsielem Local Council to make participation in this International tournament possible. The Għajnsielem Redcoats would like to thank both SportMalta and the Għajnsielem Local Council for their support.

The squad flies out of Malta International Airport on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.

Best of luck REDCOATS!