Stepping up to a bright future
Congratulations to Thomas Summers (Duncraig, Year 11), who recently competed in the School Sports Australia National Baseball Tournament in Lismore as part of the WA/ACT team and was recognised with the Graeme Webb Award.
Thomas has been playing baseball for six years, after getting his start by playing tee-ball. He plays for local team, Carine Cats and specialises in outfield and third base.
You don’t have to dig too deep to discover Thomas’ passion for baseball.
“I love being part of a team, working together and always working to improve my batting and fielding skills. Being part of WA/ACT team was a great opportunity to play baseball at a national level and to meet some new mates from other states. It was excellent to be playing against some of the best players in my age group and receiving great coaching!”
By being given the Graeme Webb Award, it’s clear that Thomas made an incredible impression during the eight games he played in the tournament. The Award is given by the coaches and staff to the player they believed best emulated Graeme’s approach to baseball by being passionate, respectful, rallying the team, putting the team’s goals ahead of their own and being positive in their interactions with other coaches and players. Quite an accolade for any player!
Thomas’s ambition is to play College baseball in the USA, so the St Stephen’s School Elite Athlete Program is important in helping him balance his commitment to baseball while maintaining his school studies.
“The Elite Athlete Program provides me with a number of study periods during the school day to help me complete my schoolwork which allows me more time before and after school for gym and training sessions. It also helped me work with my teachers to adjust any assessments due around the week I was away at the tournament”.
We’re very proud of Thomas for not only achieving at such a high level, but also demonstrating fairness, respect and integrity both on and off the field. We wish him all the best for what will, no doubt, be a very bright baseball future!
Click here for more information about the Elite Athlete Program