The Otago Māreikura will not be the only team from the region attempting to end Canterbury’s long stranglehold on the symbol of South Island softball supremacy.
Central Otago is making a long-awaited comeback to the tournament.
"It’s the first time in 16 years, I think," Central Otago Softball Association secretary Tyla O’Neill said yesterday.
"We’re quite young. But we used to go to this tournament at under-17 level and a lot of those ones have come through and mixed with a couple of players who have come back to town."
The youngest player is 18, and there are three sets of sisters in the squad — including Tyla and sibling Mekah.
O’Neill said organised softball was still popular in Alexandra and the wider region.
Tuesday night games were played across various junior grades and a 10-team adult competition.
Like virtually every other team at a tournament that has one giant and a bunch of minnows, in softball terms, Central Otago will get some pick-up players from Canterbury to help be competitive in the Jubilee Cup.
Still, the challenge of playing Canterbury, and even Otago and Southland, is a formidable one for Central.
"It’s going to be a massive step up," O’Neill said.
"But it should be a really cool weekend."
Otago will start as the second favourite in the women’s competition.
The Māreikura have had a good couple of years, winning the annual Henderson Shield game against Southland twice, and making the Jubilee Cup final last summer.
Coach Mark Ahlfeld has put together 10 local players and will get some pick-up help from Canterbury that includes two local American imports.
"We’re coming together really well," Ahlfeld said.
"Our goal is to be in the final again, and I think we’ve got a really strong team.
"We’ve got a nice mix of experience and some youth in there, and we’re happy with the pick-up players from Canterbury."
Marissa Ahlfeld and Toni Elers head the pitching staff, backed up by Canterbury pick-up Trinity Mackley.
The addition of Central Otago means teams now face a gruelling Saturday featuring four games.
Jubilee Cup
The squads
Otago Māreikura: Angela Taylor, Georgia Latu, Kadince Robinson, Katie Smith, Keisha Togo, Marissa Ahlfeld, Reign Tuhoro, Teah Price, Toni Elers, Zillah Conder, Dominique Humphrey, Heaven Samson-Loffley, Makea-Al Kaluau, Trinity Mackley.
Central Otago: Simone Keane, Paige Luff, Courtney Milne, Breigh Monaghan, Aria Monaghan, Mekah O’Neill, Tyla O’Neill, Paige Luff, Amy Townsend, Hannah Townsend.
