Three Murihiku softball dynasties are keeping the softball fires burning in Southland.
Multiple generations from the Johnson, Te Huia and Elers whānau were showing their tautoko (support), from on and off the pitch, at the Under-19 Girls New Zealand Softball Championship at Southland Ball Park last week.
Southland Softball Under-19 Girls co-coaches Kiahn Johnson and Te Kaanu Te Huia gave back to their sport by coaching the girls team, which their sisters, Teremaia Johnson and Maraea Te Huia, had previously played for.
Johnson said it was a bit different.
``But it's about time I gave back.
``Having something like this (championship) will draw (in) the crowds, which is needed around the whole South Island.''
Pitching in as a whānau to support the Southland softball team at the Under-19 Girls New Zealand Softball Championships in Invercargill last week are (from left) Joanne Te Tai, Toni Elers, Api Elers, Peter Te Tai and co-coaches Kiahn Johnson and Te Kaanu Te Huia.
He and Te Huia have played for Demons Softball Club, have been Southland Men's and Southern Pride and ISA softball representatives as well as age group New Zealand trialists.
Johnson's mother Joanne Te Tai represented Southland in the sport at age grade level and was proud of the legacy her family and extended-whānau members were continuing in the region.
``In 2023, Kiahn's dad, Marc Johnson coached the Under-19 Girls team with Te Kaanu as the assistant coach and the team came third place in New Zealand at the Temperzone U19 Girls National Championship held in Hamilton,'' Ms Te Tai said.
Local and ex-softball stalwart Api Elers was also down at the diamond supporting the Southland team, of which her granddaughter Toni Elers was a former team member as well as a 2019 New Zealand Under-15 Girls Development Sox player.
On the other end of the whānau tree, grandfather Peter Te Tai would not miss seeing his grandchildren play softball and was proud at whatever they did; whether they were playing or coaching, the proud Southland Stags veteran would always be there in support.
``I have been a real strong supporter of the softball and my own family, my two sons and my daughter, played softball and all my mokos play softball, and five of them have represented Southland.
``I'm very proud to be here to support my moko (Kiahn Johnson) and his team.
``He's learning the game as a coach at representative level, and the team that he's coaching, they're going to prosper from this tournament,'' Mr Te Tai said.
The Under-19 Girls New Zealand Softball Championship was held over four days at Southland Ball Park in Invercargill last week.
Teams representing Southland, Otago, Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Counties Manukau, Hutt Valley, Manawatu and North Harbour took part in the tournament.
Hutt Valley won the competition, beating County in the finals.
