WHEN Charlotte Creek moved to Western Australia with her family four years ago, she'd never heard of softball.
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However, she was looking for a sport to play in her new home and her dad suggested softball.
"Dad played a lot of softball and said I should give it a go,'' the 13-year-old explained.
So Charlotte took her dad's advice. Fast track to this year and Charlotte has been named in the Australian under 14 side to spend two weeks in the USA in July.
Charlotte is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
She took part in the national selection trials held in Perth playing for Western Australia in January, just before her family moved back to the Tinonee area. She'd just arrived here when news came through that she's made the Australian team.
Charlotte took a liking to softball instantly.
"The first year was more kind of fun,'' she said.
"But from there it got more serious when I started to go to State selection trials.''
Charlotte plays second base or pitcher. She'll be one of five players from Western Australia in the national squad. They'll be away for a fortnight and play in Minnesota and LA.
"I'm really excited,'' Charlotte beamed.
"It's going to be a great experience and I'm really looking forward to seeing my friends from WA again.''
Charlotte's keen to continue her softball journey in NSW. However, that presents a few problems, as there's no competition played locally.
So Charlotte will be off to Newcastle when the new season rolls around, although she's considering having a run there during the winter. Charlotte lived an hour or so south of Perth when she was in WA, so the travel won't worry her too much.
NSW is a heavyweight in Australian softball and Charlotte admits to being a bit awestruck when she saw the Blues open women's team in action during the national championships in Perth.
Charlotte will turn 14 just after she returns from the US so will move into the under 16 division next season. Earning a spot in the NSW under 16s will be her next goal.
She's hoping the experience she'll gain in the US along with quality coaching she'll receive will help her in this quest.
A Go Fund Me page has also been set up help her raise the $5200 to make the trip to America.
However, with no softball locally, Charlotte will make a return to soccer this season.
"I played a season with Tinonee Eagles before we went to WA,'' she explained.
"I played soccer and softball the first year we were over there, but then I concentrated on softball. I've also put my name down for touch football.''
But softball remains the number one sport for Charlotte and she's certainly pleased she took her dad's advice four years ago.