Hitting it out of the park

Eleven-year-old Elijah Barron-Morton has been selected to represent his country in Australia, but needs help getting there.

Elijah has been chosen to be a part of the Under 13 ISA Softball Squad to represent New Zealand at the New South Wales Under 14 State Championship, an international softball tournament held at Wagga Wagga, an Australian town just outside of Sydney.

He has played softball since he was four, starting with the Ardmore Marist Softball Club, before switching to the Drury Softball Club, where he’s been playing ever since.

For his family, this is an amazing opportunity, and his mother, Vanessa Morton, says this is a trip of a lifetime for her son, which will help improve his confidence and make him a better player.

The entire trip, including flights, accommodation, travel, meals, and uniform, costs $3,750, and the family is asking local businesses for help.

“If anyone is willing to sponsor Elijah, we would be truly grateful. It doesn’t have to be a large amount, even something to go towards a raffle (a raffle is contingent on the family getting enough prizes from local businesses) would help. Elijah would just be over the moon if we were able to get any help at all,” said Morton.

The tournament begins in September, and if all goes according to plan, Elijah will be there from September 15 and return on September 21. His family needs to raise the money and have everything finalised by August. As of this writing, no businesses have stepped forward to help.

The ISA promotes softball and the development of young softball players through intensive training, fostering teamwork and sportsmanship, promoting respect for the game and teammates, and creating an experience that all players and spectators can enjoy.

If anyone would like to help sponsor Elijah can contact vmorton001@gmail.com.