US tournament’s in Tia's sights

A Clontarf Beach State School pupil has qualified for the Babe Ruth World Series Softball and Baseball Tournament in the United States with the Aussie Drop Bears U12s.

Tia Peys and her mum Kate are raising money for the youngster to travel to Nashville, Tennessee and Florence, Alabama for 12 days, from July 20 to August 1.

Tia first started playing softball in October 2020 when she and her family moved from Victoria.

“I had played in Bairnsdale Victoria for 30 years, and looked into getting into it again, as this was a way to meet new people,” Kate says.

“(Redcliffe) PCYC was our choice with Betty Paxton OAM welcoming us with open arms and Tia’s softball journey started.”

Since then, Tia has played with the Paxton Price U12s and Scorpions Softball Club U14s before joining the Aussie Drop Bears.

“Tia also played the summer season with Paxton Pride every Saturday in the U14 and U16 and played in the Open Women’s Teams for Phoenix and Paxton Pride, also recently learning how to umpire, gaining her level one,” Kate says.

When asked what Tia is most excited about, she says: “To travel to America and to play with new people, make more friends on the way and represent Australia in the sport I love.”

Tia and Kate are hoping to raise $5000 to cover the cost of airfares and accommodation. They have so far raised $1250.

“We are having a Bunnings sausage sizzle on May 5 at Rothwell Bunnings, where there will be a raffle with over $700 worth of prizes,” Kate says.

Help the fundraising appeal here.