WHAT started out as some friendly competition with his mother has developed into something special for talented Wagga softballer Kyle Halls.
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Kyle only started playing softball three and a half years ago as a competition with his mother Sharon to prove how difficult the sport was.
While it began as some family fun, Kyle has quickly risen through the ranks to the point where he will tour New Zealand next week.
Kyle has been selected in the under 15 Aussie Sparks Australian Fastpitch Softball Team.
The 13-year-old will leave on Tuesday for his first trip overseas.
“I’m pretty excited,” Kyle said.
“A little bit nervous too.
“I’ve never been anywhere before so it’s going to be a new experience.”
Kyle plays for Turvey Park in the Wagga competition and has quickly earnt a reputation as one of the sport’s most promising talents.
He was recently selected to play for Country NSW at the International Challenge in Sydney for the second time.
Aussie Sparks, in conjunction with Softball Australia, selected the touring squad from more than 60 applicants from across Australia.
The year eight student at Mater Dei Catholic College was thrilled to win selection.
"I was pretty excited,” he said.
“I just want to play well and meet a few new people.”
The game of softball has grown on Kyle ever since he started.
“I enjoy it, particularly the social aspect,” he said.
“That and the challenges you get when you play other teams.”
Kyle has been travelling to and from Sydney since January for training.
It is no ordinary training session with video analysis on batting swings and stop watches to check reaction times.
He expects to play at catcher and second base among other positions during the 10-day stay.
Kyle’s trip was almost put in jeopardy when he injured his fingers in a game in Sydney last weekend.
He missed his Wagga softball grand final on Monday night and if it was not for the work of Amy Geach at Riverina Hand Therapy, next week’s trip could have been in doubt.
The Aussie Sparks will play games in Auckland, Howick and Albany, while also visiting places such as Rotorua and Rainbows End Theme Park.
The Aussie Sparks main aim is to provide Australian players with the opportunity to play internationally, enjoy top coaching and to create future pathways within the game.
Aussie Sparks squad: Jared Reynolds (Vic), Adam Dodson (Vic), Cullen Whetu (NSW), Cody Horsfall (Qld), Taylor Morrison (Qld), Jordan Miller (Vic), Reilly Cole (Qld), Jett Wright (WA), Cameron White (Qld), Ethan Fitzgerald (NSW), Benjamin Nelson (NSW), Mason Teora (NSW), Hayden Teixeira (NSW), James Fanning (Qld), James Cheung (NSW), Peter Reeves (NSW), Kyle Hall (NSW), Joel Beches (WA), Kye Mayne (NSW), Kyle Barnwell (Qld), Daniel Meyer (NSW).
