"Our daughter Jacinda really enjoyed the Aussie Hearts tour the first time, no doubt the experience helped her improve and advance her game. She is greatly looking forward to Hong Kong! "
-Debbie & Mike Barclay are from Perth, Western Australia and their family plays for the Eastern Hills Hornets Baseball Club. Their teenage daughter Jacinda Barclay has participated on six (6) tours with the Aussie Hearts since 2006. Since then, she has been named regularly to the Western Australia state team, as well as being selected to the Australian national women's team at the 2008 Women's World Cup.
"Being part of Champions International quite literally changed my life. To attend an American university was amazing; a whole new world was opened up. I am certain Rob Novotny and I will be friends for the rest of our lives."
-John Quong is originally from Melbourne where he played for the Bonbeach Baseball Club. He was placed into Wisconsin Lutheran College where he was captain of the baseball team and a member of the gridiron football team. John now lives lives in Burlington, Vermont wher he and his American wife Jill are expecting their first child. He has had a chance to fulfill his dream to work with marine animals...and he coaches the men's baseball team in Burlington.
"The Aussie Hearts tour of 2005 to the USA was a rewarding challenge. I learned a great deal about the game of baseball and about myself. The coaches were great and with their help, I became a more confident player. The team were a group of women who game me strength and support. A lot of work went into ensuring our trip was fun, and the activities organsied were fantastic. For anyone who wants to learn more about baseball, see the sights and play international competition, this is for you."
-Alison Hunt-Sturman participated in the 2005 Aussie Hearts tour to California and Florida. She has six years experience playing for the Chelsea Baseball Club in Melbourne.
"My baseball career was greatly helped several times by Champions International. I am very grateful that it was available to me."
-John Edwards is the head coach of the Fitzroy Baseball Club in Melbourne. John was placed into Triton Junior College and was later drafted in the 8th round by the Minnesota Twins. After his professional career was finished in America, John was next placed by Champions International to play for the Herrenberg Wanderers located near Stuttgart, Germany.
"The tour was a once-in-a-lifetime bonding especially at a very important time in my daughter's life; this will stay with both of us always. I felt very privileged that I was able share this tour not only with my daughter, but the wonderful coaches and other parents...The whole experience challenged Jade to grow and become not only a better baseball player but a more rounded teen. I will never forget the pride I felt when hearing her name and team members called out and the national anthem played. Watching her score a home run, well, that was the icing on the cake."
-Karon Cantori is the mother of junior player Jade Cantori who plays at the North Ryde Baseball Club in Sydney. The Cantoris participated in the 2006 Aussie Hearts tour to California and Florida.
