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Let’s give a warm welcome to our newest member of the Australian Youth Championships – the Roos!

Unfortunately, Baseball Canberra is unable to field a team at the 2025 Australian U16 Youth Championships.

 

Baseball Australia wanted to make sure that the number of teams at the event remained consistent as planned, while also ensuring that opportunities for 140 players were available for players across the country at both age groups.

With BNSW already fielding two teams (Metro and Country), an opportunity presented itself where additional players from the next two largest baseball states, Queensland and Victoria, could be afforded opportunities to players who would ordinarily be friendship players for the Baseball Canberra team.

There are ten players from Queensland and ten players from Victoria on the Roos. Each state will also contribute towards the coaching staff to ensure that opportunities are provided to coaches similar to the opportunity provided to players.

The Roos will be wearing the indigenous artwork of Team Australia continuing the theme of representation of our entire community.

Of the twenty players, thirteen are aged 15 and seven are 14 years-old.

Notably, all of them are experiencing their first national championship.

For all your tournament information, head to www.baseball.com.au/ayc2025/.

What an opportunity to bond together, and show the rest of the country what they’re made of, all while gaining experience as a group.

Ashton Leake, from Queensland, feels primed to break out. He’s also been training with the Brisbane Bandits Development Squad. He travelled to USA to play in the Perfect Game 14U tournament with Australia.

Levi Duke has impressed in recent times for Brisbane Metro in charter competition, he’ll likely also get the ball in big situations.

Nate Lucas can play infield and pitch and should provide some nice versatility.

When it comes to the bat, multiple players have singled out the catcher tandem the Roos possess.

“Watch out for Xavier Huntley, he has good command of the game,” says 15-year-old Reiss McDermott.

“Watch Colbey Ryerson,” says Nate Lucas. “He’s a catcher who hits for power and has a canon of an arm.”

Utility man Jarvis Johanson has been fun to watch with the Rangers at charter tournaments. He has some sneaky power and can play around the field.

14-year-old Victorian Sam Stafilis was one of the top performing players for the Rangers at the last two Junior League championships.

We can’t wait to see how this team bonds together!