Oliver gets GB softball call... indoor league starts

Howley, 15, mixed in with other international hopefuls as the squad were put through their paces with a full day of practice at a training camp, followed by a tournament under the watchful eye of GB manager Ian Tomlin.

The players were assessed on their throwing, catching, pitching and hitting as well as working on game situations.

After the tournament, each player was given individual feedback by Tomlin regarding their performance over the weekend, and were told whether they had made the GB squad for the year.

Tomlin said: “We were very pleased with Oliver’s performance and as such we have included him in our squad. He will get the opportunity in the future to go to Paris as they have a second trip in March”.

Howley can also look forward to representing his country in the European Championships in the Czech Republic and the World Championship in Canada next year.

Falcons coach David Morris said: “We are so proud of Oliver and delighted he has made the U19s team at such a young age. He works so hard at practice, he is a fantastic role model for the other players and he has the support of his parents who drive him all over the place to play.

“It has been our goal to get a junior Falcon into the GB squad but we didn’t expect to achieve it so early, so a lot of credit can go to the coaching staff at the Falcons organisation.”

Chichester Falcons Club have finished their outdoor activities for the year – but are back to action at the end of September when Chichester Indoor Slowpitch Softball League gets under way.

Now in its second year, this informal league is for male and female players of any ability aged 14 and upwards, to learn and improve their softball in the weather-proof environment of Chichester College’s sports hall.

Indoor softball is fast and frantic, and perfect for learning fundamentals of the game as the action is never more than 25 metres away.

Players enrol for the league individually and will be rostered into four league teams on the first of eight Friday-night sessions.

Sponsorship from The Bell Inn in Chichester means every enrolled player gets a team shirt to wear and keep, equipment is provided and coaches are present to both mentor new players and help experienced players tune up their game.

The first session on September 30 will be a training session to get teams up to speed and used to the ball and rules, with the league getting under way for real on week two.

There are also plans to spring a ‘fastpitch night’ on the group to give the players an insight into this growing and exciting variant of the game.

Anyone interested in enrolling for the indoor league can visit www.chichesterfalcons.com to find out more.

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