Baseball New Zealand’s Performance Pathway is designed to take young Kiwi athletes from grassroots baseball all the way to the international stage. The upcoming December 12–20, 2025 tour to the Gold Coast is a prime example of this system in action.
Two national age-grade squads, the 16U New Zealand Development Team and the 18U New Zealand National Team, will travel with 20–25 player rosters to compete against a strong Queensland Baseball representative side. The tour is more than just a series of games; it’s a concentrated player development and exposure opportunity that sits at the heart of the Baseball NZ pathway.
From Development to Performance
For the 16U New Zealand Development Team, this tour represents the first step into a genuine high-performance environment. Players born in 2009, 2010, or 2011 will get a taste of international competition, learn to prepare like elite athletes, and experience the standards required at the next level. This group forms the future core of New Zealand’s 18U squad, with the tour serving as direct preparation for the 18U WBSC World Cup Qualifier in the following year.
Challenging the Next Generation of 18U Talent
For the 18U New Zealand National Team (players born in 2007 or 2008) the tour provides both a development and performance challenge. Younger players in the group will be pushed to adapt to a faster, more physical style of baseball, while top-age athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of Major League Baseball scouts, Australian professional clubs, and college recruiters.
A Three-Year Commitment to Player Development
Baseball New Zealand is proud to confirm it has secured a three-year agreement with the Gold Coast City Council to host this tour. This long-term partnership demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to creating consistent, high-quality international playing opportunities that will directly benefit the next generation of Kiwi baseballers.
High-Performance Environment On and Off the Field
Based at the Voco Hotel, Gold Coast, the teams will train, prepare, and recover in a professional setting. The schedule will combine competitive games with targeted training sessions, recovery protocols, and pathway education — ensuring players leave with both enhanced skills and a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed internationally.
Why It Matters for the Pathway
This tour delivers on several key goals of the Baseball New Zealand Performance Pathway:
- Early exposure to elite competition for emerging talent
- A clear bridge between development and performance phases
- Opportunities for athlete identification by scouts and recruiters
- Cultural immersion and team-building in an international setting
As National Performance Manager, Connar O’Gorman, explains: “I was super excited when working on this deal with the GC council to ink a long-term commitment to going to the Gold Coast. Understanding that our players need to play at a high level more often, this tour is so important for the future of the game and for players to prepare for World Cup qualifiers, and to create future Diamondblacks.”
By linking competitive experience with a structured development plan, and now locking in a three-year home for the event, this tour is more than a one-off, it’s a cornerstone in the long-term mission of producing New Zealand baseball players capable of competing and succeeding on the world stage.
Call to Action – Player Registration
Player registrations for the 2025 Gold Coast tour are now open.
- 16U Team: Players born in 2009, 2010, or 2011.
- 18U Team: Players born in 2007 or 2008.
- Estimated tour cost: $3,500–$4,500 NZD (includes flights, accommodation, meals, uniforms, transport, and game fees).
To register your interest, click the appropriate link below.
For more information, you can email info@baseballnewzealand.co.nz. Registrations close 21st September, 2025.