Pinjarra Students Earn Spot on WA All-Star Baseball Team for Singapore Tournament
Two Year 7 students from Pinjarra Senior High School, Jaxon Fish and Nash Bentley, are gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime sporting adventure after securing their positions on the WA All-Star Team. The 12-year-old boys, hailing from the Shire of Murray, are the sole representatives from their region on the squad, which includes 11 other talented players.
Selection and Upcoming International Competition
Jaxon Fish from Barragup and Nash Bentley of North Yunderup were officially selected for the 12-and-under team in January. They are set to represent Western Australia at the prestigious Lion's City international tournament in Singapore, scheduled from April 29 to May 6. This marks their first trip to Singapore for the event, although they previously competed against Singapore's All-Star Team when it visited Perth.
During the upcoming tour, the team will spend a week in Singapore, engaging in intensive training sessions and competing on international fields against teams from across South-East Asia. Both boys expressed immense excitement about the opportunity to represent their state and community on a global stage.
Jaxon Fish's Baseball Journey and Aspirations
Jaxon's passion for sports ignited at the tender age of three when he joined the Peel Diamond Sports club. Over the years, he has played for the Secret Harbour Pirates and has been a consistent member of the state tee-ball team for the past five years. He transitioned to baseball in 2023 and now excels as a shortstop and pitcher for the Rockingham Rams in the Intermediate League.
Reflecting on his selection, Jaxon shared that this opportunity validates all his hard work and practice. "To play against other teams around the world is going to make me a better player," he said. "Baseball is such a fun sport because, whilst we are part of a team and supporting each other, we also get to challenge ourselves."
Nash Bentley's Path to the All-Star Team
Nash's tee-ball journey also began with the Peel Diamond Sports club when he was seven years old. He later moved to Secret Harbour, where he, too, has been a key player on the state tee-ball team for several years. Like Jaxon, Nash started baseball in 2023 and is now teammates with him at the Rockingham Rams, where he is recognized as one of the club's top catchers.
Nash revealed his dream of one day playing for Major League Baseball teams like the LA Dodgers or Seattle Mariners. "We both feel very special that our coaches believe in us and see that we have what it takes to be part of an international team," he said. "I get to go to school with my friend, play club baseball with him and now travel too."
Community Support and Sponsorship Efforts
Both Jaxon and Nash are currently seeking support from local businesses or sponsors to help fund their journey to Singapore. They are eager to turn this dream into a reality and are actively reaching out to the community for assistance. Anyone interested in supporting their efforts can contact the families via email at tracey.keeler@hotmail.com.
This selection not only highlights their individual talents but also showcases the thriving youth sports culture in the Shire of Murray. As they prepare for the international competition, Jaxon and Nash are focused on making the most of this incredible opportunity to grow as athletes and ambassadors for Western Australia.
