New Zealand White Sox rely on family legacy
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The New Zealand White Sox women’s softball team begins its World Cup qualifying matches carrying a strong sense of history and responsibility to past players and family members.
Captain Dr. Lara Andrews (Ngāti Ruanui) emphasizes that this legacy of whānau, family, is the team’s greatest strength, something beyond rankings. The current squad includes sisters, father-daughter pairs, and former players now serving as coaches, continuing generations of participation in the sport.
Andrews herself is a veteran of the White Sox program, having learned from softball legends and later coached many of the players now alongside her. She also became the first New Zealand female softballer to play professionally in the US and the first woman to cap 100 times for the team, experiences she integrates with a uniquely New Zealand approach to the game. Beyond softball, Andrews runs clinics for young people, using the sport to teach life skills.
The team’s strong family connections create a sense of accountability to one another, motivating them more than concern for their opponents. They also express their culture through the haka, a traditional Māori challenge, learning about its origins and meanings as a group. The White Sox face challenges in funding their international competitions, relying on fundraising and community support, but they view this effort as a source of strength.
They will compete against the USA, China, Netherlands, Mexico, and Brazil in Oklahoma City from September 12-16, hoping to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games.
