Softball to Visit New Zealand on Foreign Tour
09/15/17 | Softball
The Oregon softball team will play eight games over two weeks in New Zealand
EUGENE, Ore. - The Oregon softball team will play eight games over two weeks during a foreign tour to New Zealand in December, head coach Mike White announced.
"This is my first foreign trip at Oregon and to be able to take the team to my native New Zealand is especially exciting," White said. "We are very grateful to the athletics department and the Women In Flight program for making this trip possible."
The NCAA allows for collegiate teams to take a foreign tour once every four years. Recently, Oregon women's soccer visited China, lacrosse went to Australia while women's basketball visited Amsterdam, Barcelona and Spain. Generous donors to the Women in Flight fund helped make these team-bonding trips possible.
"Support through Women in Flight provides incredible opportunities for female student-athletes at Oregon," said Women in Flight director Callie Wagner. "There is such a high value associated with taking a foreign tour as a team bonds through travel and develops chemistry before their season."
White has arranged for the Ducks to play three doubleheaders against the NZ White Sox and another doubleheader against a New Zealand all-star team while on the trip. White's daughter, Nyree, a former Stanford pitcher, plays for the NZ White Sox.
Oregon will also spend some time sightseeing, visiting the Whakarewarewa Maori village, Huka falls, the Waitomo Glowworm caves, Tauranga beach and other locations while also stopping for practices and skills clinics at local parks and schools.
"With the 2020 Olympics bringing back softball, it's the perfect time to help grow the game, not just in the United States, but internationally as well," White added. "I'd like to thank coach Kevin Gettins for helping us work out the details of the trip over the last year and providing our team with what is sure to be an unforgettable trip and experience."
Fans who wish to make the trip can reach out to Alana Aldridge at House of Travel.
Oregon Softball New Zealand Itinerary
Dec. 9 - Depart Eugene
Dec. 11 - Arrive in Auckland
Dec. 12 - Visit Taupo
Dec. 13 - Visit Rotorua
Dec. 14 - Visit Hamilton
Dec. 15 - Doubleheader against NZ White Sox (Rosedale North Harbour fields)
Dec. 16 - Doubleheader against NZ White Sox (Rosedale North Harbour fields)
Dec. 17 - Doubleheader against NZ White Sox (Rosedale North Harbour fields)
Dec. 18 - Visit Tauranga
Dec. 19 - Travel to Hastings
Dec. 20 - Doubleheader against New Zealand Selection (All-Star) Team (Akina Park)
Dec. 21 - Visit Te Mata Peak
Dec. 22 - Travel to Auckland
Dec. 23 - Arrive in Eugene
"This is my first foreign trip at Oregon and to be able to take the team to my native New Zealand is especially exciting," White said. "We are very grateful to the athletics department and the Women In Flight program for making this trip possible."
The NCAA allows for collegiate teams to take a foreign tour once every four years. Recently, Oregon women's soccer visited China, lacrosse went to Australia while women's basketball visited Amsterdam, Barcelona and Spain. Generous donors to the Women in Flight fund helped make these team-bonding trips possible.
"Support through Women in Flight provides incredible opportunities for female student-athletes at Oregon," said Women in Flight director Callie Wagner. "There is such a high value associated with taking a foreign tour as a team bonds through travel and develops chemistry before their season."
White has arranged for the Ducks to play three doubleheaders against the NZ White Sox and another doubleheader against a New Zealand all-star team while on the trip. White's daughter, Nyree, a former Stanford pitcher, plays for the NZ White Sox.
Oregon will also spend some time sightseeing, visiting the Whakarewarewa Maori village, Huka falls, the Waitomo Glowworm caves, Tauranga beach and other locations while also stopping for practices and skills clinics at local parks and schools.
"With the 2020 Olympics bringing back softball, it's the perfect time to help grow the game, not just in the United States, but internationally as well," White added. "I'd like to thank coach Kevin Gettins for helping us work out the details of the trip over the last year and providing our team with what is sure to be an unforgettable trip and experience."
Fans who wish to make the trip can reach out to Alana Aldridge at House of Travel.
Oregon Softball New Zealand Itinerary
Dec. 9 - Depart Eugene
Dec. 11 - Arrive in Auckland
Dec. 12 - Visit Taupo
Dec. 13 - Visit Rotorua
Dec. 14 - Visit Hamilton
Dec. 15 - Doubleheader against NZ White Sox (Rosedale North Harbour fields)
Dec. 16 - Doubleheader against NZ White Sox (Rosedale North Harbour fields)
Dec. 17 - Doubleheader against NZ White Sox (Rosedale North Harbour fields)
Dec. 18 - Visit Tauranga
Dec. 19 - Travel to Hastings
Dec. 20 - Doubleheader against New Zealand Selection (All-Star) Team (Akina Park)
Dec. 21 - Visit Te Mata Peak
Dec. 22 - Travel to Auckland
Dec. 23 - Arrive in Eugene
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