Gooden heads off to New Zealand on Monday as part of the under 14s Australian 'Aussie Diamonds' softball team.

She's not the first Gooden to represent Australia, with her mother Amanda forging her own way through to the seniors ranks years ago, and the teenager is hoping she can continue on the same path to the top.

She's excited for what lies ahead.

"I've wanted to represent Australia," Gooden said.

"I was really excited to go away and represent Country and when I got this opportunity I was very excited, and a little bit nervous."

Gooden caught the eye of selectors when in Perth for the Australian under 15s regional championships in January, where she was one of the youngest players.

It helped her book a place on the tour where she will take part in training camps, play games against sides from Waikato and Western Bay of Plenty before competing in the Easter Classic against New Zealand.

She expects there will be plenty of tough competition from her trans-Tasman rivals.

Gooden followed her mother into the sport, starting off in teeball as a five-year-old before progressing through the ranks at Turvey Park, and uses her as an inspiration to continue to excel.

She also wants to continue to progress through to Australia's open ranks and sees the New Zealand tour is an important stepping stone to doing that.

However the year eight Wagga High School student is also thrilled to already get one up on mum.

"I've always wanted to follow in mum's footsteps but I was really happy when I was chosen in the Country team as mum was never chosen in the Country team," Gooden said. 

"I would love to go on and play opens for Australia so this is just the start of my career."

There is plenty of excitement in the Gooden family for the trip to New Zealand but no is prouder than Amanda Gooden (nee Wheeler).

She admitted she lives ball Sophie plays from the sidelines, and can't wait for her to experience the chance to play for Australia herself.

"As a mother I'm just so excited for her," Amanda Gooden said.

"Not just in softball, but creating friends, travelling overseas and having new experiences.

"She will grow so much as I certainly did from the experience."

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