AMONG the Redlands softball players competing in national competitions around the country this month are the Watson sisters, Dakota, Kiara and Shania, of Wellington Point.
Seventeen-year-old Dakota was selected for Queensland’s under 19 team, playing in Western Australia this week.
Her mother Adele Watson said it was the second time Dakota had played in a national competition.
Other Redland Softball Association players in the team are Erin Blackmore, Tegan Trindle, Tia Waters and Tamieka Whitefield.
Chosen for the under 17 squad, Shania, together with Nikita Ireland, of Alexandra Hills, played in NSW earlier this month.
The Queensland team placed fourth in the tournament.
Shania was named in the All Tournament Team at Second Base.
Kiara was selected for one of two under 15 regional Queensland teams, together with three other Redlands Softball Association players.
They are also competing in Western Australia this week.
Ms Watson said it was an achievement for any individual to be selected for a state team and even more so for three sisters.
Three Redlands locals also played in the Queensland Heat team at the Australian Women’s Open Softball Championships in NSW earlier this month.
Redlands players Georgia Blair, Rebecca Chapman, Rebecca McEachern, Tara Speakman, Dorinda Stone and Tamieka Whitefield together with their teammates placed second after a hard fought loss to NSW.
The Queensland team were defending champions before going down to the Firestars 8-0.
By the end of the double round robin the Heat had only one loss.
They beat NSW in the finals series to make it to the grand final 5-4, but could not match them in the grand final.
Local supporters have the opportunity to watch the under 19 Men National Championships and under 15 Boy’s Regional Championships underway at Redlands Softball Association in Ormiston until January 21.
The event started on Sunday and will see hundreds of players and supporters gathering at the combined event.
Children aged six to 10 can also give softball a go at clinics at the event on Wednesday (January 18) and Friday (January 20).
