A group of 12 talented young baseballers from Brisbane North Region in Narangba will represent Australia on the global stage after winning the national championship.
The team, comprising players aged 10-12, secured their “once-in-a-lifetime experience” by claiming the Australian Little League Championship in Blacktown, NSW.
This victory means they will now represent the Australian Region at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which runs from August 13-24. Their opening match is scheduled for 13 August at 5:00 p.m. U.S Eastern time in Volunteer Stadium against Vacamonte from the Panama Region.
A Community’s Pride
The team, which draws players from Division One teams at Redcliffe Padres and Narangba Demons, has brought immense pride to their local communities. The Brisbane North Region Baseball Association, with its address at PO Box 316, Narangba, QLD, 4505, has played a pivotal role in fostering the talent that led to this national triumph.
Head coach Keith Land, a founding member of Redcliffe Padres, stated that this opportunity would be a truly unique experience for the players, noting the significant media attention and the excitement of a street parade involving 20,000 people. He encouraged the players to bring their passports, prepare to sign autographs, and embrace their Australian accents, which he believes are well-liked overseas.
Road to Glory
The Brisbane North squad showcased remarkable skill and determination during the Australian Championships. In Pool A, they secured impressive victories over Melbourne Rangers (11-0) and NT Buffaloes (14-0), along with wins against Eastern Phantoms (5-3) and Ryde Red (7-3). Their only pool loss was to Macarthur (9-5).
Finishing second in their pool behind Ryde, the team demonstrated their mettle by convincingly defeating Pool B winners Manly 5-0 in the semi-finals. The final saw Brisbane’s pitchers deliver another dominant performance, shutting out Ryde Red 6-0 to secure their World Series ticket. Coach Land expressed his delight with the team’s performance, particularly highlighting their ability to concede no runs in both the semi-finals and final, stating that doing the “little things right” was key to their success.
Facing the World
The Little League World Series is a major international event, featuring 10 US teams and 10 international teams. It attracts crowds exceeding 25,000 spectators and television audiences of over one million on ESPN. The Brisbane North team includes Monica Arcuir, Braxton Black, Josh Campbell-Manfield, Porter Cox, Averey Griffin, Issei Hamano, Cameron Holden, Harper Lokeni, Preston Reid, Xander Reid, Ryder Smith, and Floyd Staines. The coaching staff comprises Keith Land, Eli Jones, Darren Holden, and Sally Reid.
Having previously guided the first Brisbane North team to the World Series in 2022, Coach Land acknowledged that the upcoming tournament would be a step up in standard, but affirmed the team’s commitment to giving their best and enjoying every moment. The squad was given a week off training after their national victory and will return to prepare before departing for the US in early August.
Published Date 7-July-2025
