Teeballers hit the road as pilot strike threatens championships bid

Travelling away for a big competition is always going to involve some challenging moments. But for one Hedland sports team the challenges almost proved a show-stopper to allow them to compete in their sport’s championships in Perth at the weekend. The Qantas pilots’ strike, and a last-minute Virgin flight cancellation on Friday as they waited to board the plane, left six Port Hedland Teeball Association families facing grim odds of traversing the 1700km to Perth in time for the annual TBAWA Teeball State Championships, which began on Saturday. Being held this year at Yokine Reserve with 91 teams and more that 1000 children aged between seven and 12 playing 232 teeball games over the long weekend, the contest includes teams from the Goldfields, Mid West and Port Hedland. Announcing the hiccup on Friday, the association said it had definitely been thrown a curveball. “Sometimes life throws you a curve to test your limits. Today, is that day,” the association said. “With Qantas flights being cancelled due to industrial action and our scheduled Virgin flight this morning cancelled last-minute (while sitting ready to board the plane). “It’s hitting the road in convoy for some of us — 1700km in fact. Tee-Ball Association of WA — don’t start without us — we’re on our way and teeball committed. “Be it by road or plane later today or tomorrow, we will see you on the diamond. Let’s go Hedland.” Head coach Toni McMahon said that the wait in the airport terminal on the Friday had been very frustrating with minimal updates, with the adults biting their nails while the excited kids were largely unaware of the dramas until it became clear a flight wasn’t going to happen. “Some families had already travelled down earlier in the week but we realised without the kids who were meant to be on the plane, our team didn’t have enough players (or uniforms) to take the diamond and we’d have to pull out of the competition,” she said. “Our kids worked so hard to prepare for this weekend, quitting was never an option. A quick chat between parents and we knew what we had to do and that was an overnight three-car convoy to Perth to get there in time. an hour later we were in the car on our adventure. “It was an 18-hour driving mission that we didn’t anticipate but to see our Hedland team take the field Saturday morning with family, friends and even the other teams cheering us on just made it all worth it. The kids were brilliant, they took it in their stride.” On its Facebook page on Saturday morning, the team announced they had indeed made it: “A quick nap for parents, coaches and kids... then hitting the diamond!” In a gesture of solidarity, many people responded to the post on Facebook announcing their arrival — including some from opposing teams. Sarah Sutherland said: “What a mission! We admire your dedication, team. Welcome to Perth! From the Melville Mariners Tee Ball Club.” McMahon said the team wanted to acknowledge the WA Teeball Association who “worked magic” to move game times on the Saturday morning so they didn’t miss out and the “whole WA Teeball community who have shown us so much support this weekend.”