A Noosa softballer who helped a Queensland team win a national title last weekend is now desperately seeking help from others to get to the US, where she will play for Australia in a World Cup.
Shinai Gibbins, 18, was a pitcher in the Queensland Women’s U23 softball team that was undefeated at the Australian championships in Redlands, near Brisbane.
Shinai, a Sunshine Coast Sports Federation Junior Sports Star of the Month, is now preparing to join the Australian Under 19 women’s team which will tour the US for three weeks in August. But she still needs about $3000 to get there and is desperately seeking donations or sponsorship. The entire tour and lead-up are costing Shinai and her family about $12,000.
“It’s been hard work raising the money but it’s a dream come true,” Shinai said.
Some of the money has been raised through a donation tin for customers at Peggy Sue’s Diner in Belli Park, where Shinai works. The diner is also donating $1 from every burger sold, and her family will organise a fundraising trivia night at the Tewantin-Noosa RSL.
Shinai, the first female softballer from Noosa to join an international touring team, is looking forward to the World Cup and hopes the team can improve on the previous Australian team which placed 7th.
“It’s going to be tough, especially as we face Japan in the first game but we’re really keen to do well,” she said.
Anyone who would like to help Shinai can donate at Peggy Sue’s Diner or call the diner on 5447 0027.
Noosa Softball’s summer competition for male and female junior and senior players will start on 14 September, with a sign-on day to be held at the club grounds in Butler St, Tewantin on Saturday 24 August.
