The recent release of Baseball NZ’s updated National Player Pathway, demonstrates Baseball NZ’s long-term strategy for player and athlete development to support performance growth. Over a series of articles in the coming weeks, Baseball NZ will outline what is in store for our New Zealand squads and teams in 2025 and beyond as our national programs expand.
This will include more game-based development, tours, and campaigns, alongside the upcoming Regional Development Hubs and National Squad activities. With the Summer Showdown tournament and Little League All-Star Series coming up our National Selectors and NZ Coaches will be working towards 2025/2026 National Squad selections.
Looking Ahead for the NZU15 Team in 2025
2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for our NZU15 Team with preparations to step back onto the international stage. Our NZ teams embody the passion and talent of New Zealand baseball, and we are thrilled to see them compete at the highest levels.
The NZ U15 Team is building on the momentum from their 2023 Guam campaign, which highlighted the continued growth of baseball in New Zealand. Although they were unsuccessful in qualifying for the WBSC U15 World Cup, the experience provided a valuable learning and development opportunity for our players and coaches.
As we turn our focus to 2025 and building momentum, the NZU15’s team will again have the opportunity to compete in the WBSC World Cup Qualifier as the pinnacle point of their player development program in 2025. The NZU15’s program will start within the wider National Development Squad with the players embarking on their off-season athlete development programs, regular coaching connect points within regional development hubs, through to the National Development Camp and onto the WBSC Oceania U15 Qualifier. There is also a high likelihood that the NZU15 team will compete in an international series as part of the build-up to the Qualifier as they hone their skills and continue to strengthen as a team on the diamond.
The road into the National Development Squad and NZU15 Team starts with player identification through various events, including the 2025 Summer Showdown tournament for 14U & 16U and regional trials. Where NZU15 Head Coach Brian Welts and National Selectors will be observing players. Players must participate in at least one of these events to meet the selection criteria.
Trials for the National Development Squad, encompassing the NZU15 team, are set to take place throughout the country in late April and May, as part of the process, to identify the next generation of players setting goals to step up to the plate in the black jersey.
National Development Squad & NZ U15 Team 2025 Activity & Timeline:
- Player Identification Events:
- Summer Showdown Tournament 12th – 15th April 2025
- Regional Trials
- 26th April: Christchurch
- 27th April: Nelson
- 3rd May: Wellington
- 4th May: Auckland
- May 2025 – National Development Squad Announced
- National Development Squad Induction Process – May 2025
- National Development Squad Off-Season Athlete Development Program
- National Development Camp – October 2025
- NZU15 Team Announced – October 2025
- International Game Series – October 2025 (TBC), will be mandatory for NZU15 Team
- WBSC Oceania U15 Qualification Tournament – November 2025 – January 2026 (date and location still to be announced by WBSC Oceania)
NZU15 Team Eligibility & Selection Criteria
- Players must hold a current New Zealand passport.
- Players must be born in 2011, 2012, or 2013.
For further National Development Squad, NZU15 Selection Information, and Player Registration click HERE.