About 200 softball players and coaches were recognised for participating in their fifth consecutive Pan Pacific Masters Games (from 2004-2012) today at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast.
Amongst these players were softball’s latest buzz, The Queen Bees of Sydney – a team whose reputation at the Games has more than lived up to its noble name. Eleven women on the team received recognition alongside their coach, Pat Reynolds.
In addition to their five Pan Pacific Masters Games appearances, The Queen Bees have also competed in the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada in 2005 and the World Masters Games in Sydney in 2010.
When asked why he and his team have continued to return to the Gold Coast for the past 10 years, Pat’s response was simple.
“The fun of it” said Pat. “We’re not just players on a team, we’re friends. We enjoy each other’s company and we have a real ball when we come up here.”
Upon getting to know the women that make up this team, it became apparent that other teams will find it tough to stop The Queen Bees from defending their reign.
Although they compete in the 35+ age group, Pat estimated the average age of his players to be about 45. Three of their players are near 60 years of age, two have survived cancer and one continues to play even after receiving two hip replacements.
Despite all of the above, the team’s talent and heart prevailed at the previous Pan Pacific Masters Games in 2010 when they took the gold in their event, making it their first medal ever in these games.
After coming together in 2003, The Queen Bees will be celebrating their 10th anniversary as a team next year in 2013 and plan to return to the next Pan Pacific Masters Games in 2014.
In other softball news, sport convenor Linda Lynch said come the next Games in 2014, about 10 athletes and coaches will be recognised for their participation in the past 10 Pan Pacific Masters Games, which date all the way back to the year 1996.
The new system was born here and filagra this is not something that we would like to see. Caverta although better in some elements but not momentous for us.
