As we step into 2025, Baseball New Zealand is excited to unveil the next phase of our revamped performance pathways. This initiative aims to bring new opportunities for player development, with a strong focus on engaging athletes within their local communities through new player development hubs and academies across selected regions nationwide. These hubs will enhance athlete touchpoints and create more coaching opportunities, fostering growth and excellence in the sport.

Our Aim

To create an environment that prepares our people to achieve extraordinary results and become extraordinary individuals. We strive to establish and develop a deep talent pool of age-grade players, preparing them to succeed in high-performance environments and providing them with exposure to these environments.

We are dedicated to fostering:

• A hunger for opportunities
• Supporting our people
• Quality processes
• Having the right tools

New Programs for 2025

To kick off, Baseball New Zealand will introduce two distinct programs within the player development hubs: a Development Program and a Performance Program. Both are designed to feed into our national teams, with the ultimate goal of creating a world-class system that prepares athletes for success on the global stage.

Development Program

Target Age Group: 12-15 years

Purpose:

• Selection for the U15 National Squad and Team
• Selection for the U16 National Development Team
• Exciting tours and playing opportunities to be announced

Training Schedule:

• August to Mid-September: Offseason Phase
• Mid-September to October School Holidays: Preseason Phase
• Last Week of October School Holidays: National Development Camp

Sessions: 1-2 per week

Performance Program

Target Age Group: 15+ years

Purpose:

• Feeding into U18 and U23 national teams
• Preparing players for college-level baseball

Training Schedule:

• July: Strength Camp + Offseason Phase
• August: Offseason Phase
• September: Preseason Phase
• October: Preseason Phase
• National Showcase Series: Highlighting top talent

Teams Involved:

• U18/U23 National Squads and Teams
• Open Men’s National Team

Sessions: 2-3 sessions per week

Player Selection

Players will be selected based on their performance in national events, tournaments, camps, and recommendations from national selectors.

How to Get Involved

Interested in joining the 2025 Baseball New Zealand Pathways Programs? Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Attend National Events: Showcase your skills at national events and tournaments.
2. Participate in Camps & Clinics: Join regional and national camps to get noticed by selectors.
3. Advance Through Previous Pathway Levels: Progress through the existing pathway programs.
4. Complete an Expression of Interest: Register for the pathways programs.
5. Excel at National Trials: Attend national trials held towards the end of the season for data collection and player selection.
6. Excel and Be Identified in Club Baseball: Players can be scouted during club competitions by national pathways and performance managers, selectors, team coaches, or pathways coaches.

Looking Ahead for National Teams in 2025

2025 is set to be an exhilarating year for our national teams. With U23 and U15 World Cup qualifying events on the horizon, as well as thrilling tours for the U18 National Team and the new U16 National Development Team, there is plenty to look forward to. Additionally, exciting announcements for one of our national teams are coming soon, so stay tuned across all media platforms to ensure you don’t miss out!

These efforts align with Baseball New Zealand's performance pillar strategies by creating an environment that fosters extraordinary results, supports our people, and utilizes quality processes and the right tools. Our aim is to ensure every player and coach has the resources and support needed to thrive in high-performance environments.

We’re looking forward to a dynamic and successful year, and we invite all members of Baseball New Zealand to join us on this exciting journey. Let’s make 2025 a landmark year for baseball in New Zealand!

Article added: Tuesday 21 January 2025