NZ U-18 National Team Selection Process – 2025 World Cup Campaign
National NZ U-18 Team Selection Process:
All eligible players who wish to be considered for selection MUST complete an expression of form (EOI) and confirm their availability for selection to represent New Zealand.
NZ U-18 Squad Availability for Selection & EOI Form
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for selection in the NZ U18 National Squad
- Players must hold a current NZ Passport
- Players must be born in the years 2007, 2008 or 2009
Selection Criteria:
- Athletes attend a minimum of one National selection observation event (National Showcase event, Baseball NZ National Tournament/s – see Baseball NZ website for details). Note – *if athletes are unable to attend an event due to extraordinary circumstances or you are an overseas-based NZ player, please contact Connar O’Gorman
- Athletes Attend trials and/or national testing events in their local area (TBA)
- Selected NZ U-18 Squad athletes (up to 40 athletes) are to attend the National Performance Camp and all National Squad duties.
- Final player roster of 18-20 athletes with 5 non-traveling reserves to be selected post-squad process.
NZ U-18 Selection Timeline
Availability for Selection & EOI – Opens – 1st November 2023
National Showcase & Testing Event – 7th – 10th December 2023 – Tauranga
National Little League Play-Offs – Seniors 16U (Feb 2024) & Juniors 14U (April 2024) – Auckland
National 16U / 21U Champs & Testing Event – 15th – 18th February 2024 – Hamilton
National Club Champs – 14th 17th March 2024 – Auckland (only applies to 17+ year olds)
National Trials – TBA (*if required)
National Squad Announcement – April 2024
National Performance Camp – July School Holidays 2024
U18 Mini Camps – TBC – 2024
U18 Final Roster Announcement – TBC 2024
WBSC U-18 Oceania Qualifier window – September 2024 – January 2025 – Details TBA
WBSC U-18 World Cup – TBA 2025
Video Submissions
Whilst Baseball New Zealand would prefer athletes to complete the outlined selection process, we understand some athletes are unable to attend due to a variety of reasons. Baseball New Zealand will also allow the submission of international players who hold current New Zealand passports. Athletes who are trialing via video submission are to follow the below process.
- Complete EOI
- Email Baseball New Zealand Performance Pathways and Development manager Connar O’Gorman
- Email is to include, relevant data and baseball resume.
Position Players:
- Sprinting – 60-yard dash and game baserunning
- Defence – in-game and practice footage of athlete in position/s
- Hitting – in-game swings (side angle preferred) practice swings (side and behind angles)
Pitchers:
- In-game footage all pitchers (if possible, behind, front and side angles)
- Bullpen Session all pitches shown in footage (side and behind angles)
- Velocity readings on camera if possible
NZ U-18 Coaching Staff:
Head Coach – Aaron Campbell
Assistant Coach – Connor Perry
Assistant Coach – Yong Min Lee
Assistant Coach – Taiyo Konishi
Executive Officer – Kiri Hay
Physiotherapist – Tania Stokes
Campaign Manager – Connar O’Gorman (Baseball NZ, National Pathways & Performance Manager)
