Guernsey softball star makes Great Britain cut
Guernsey's own Josh Smith feels ‘incredibly proud and honoured’ after being selected to represent Great Britain in two European championships this summer.
The softball star has made the cut for the GB team in both senior men’s slowpitch and U23 fastpitch. His place as a reserve in senior fastpitch tops that off.
In slowpitch, he and his teammates will be heading to Italy in June to defend GB’s title from the inaugural European Men’s Championship in 2018.
‘I am proud to play alongside the best players in Britain, who I have personally looked up to since I joined the set-up in 2019,’ he said.
‘I’m so grateful to the coaches for giving me the opportunity to experience slowpitch softball at its highest level in Europe.
‘It has always been my dream to play at a European Championship and I’m excited to step onto the diamond in Italy.’
Listen to fellow GB call-ups Macy Cortez and Kirstie Marquis talk about the island's softball success on the Guernsey Press Sport Podcast:
This comes along with his presence in the men’s fastpitch game, where he will be able to target the inaugural U23 European Men’s Championship in the Czech Republic in July, which gives GB a shot at qualifying for the World Cup later this year.
Both the U23s and the seniors will host Sweden at Farnham Park beforehand.
‘I was ecstatic when I found out the news that I got selected to represent GB at the Under-23s European Championship and the Sweden series at the end of May,’ he said.
‘Throughout my childhood I always watched my dad [Jason Smith].
‘Fastpitch softball really is “Smith tradition” and I hope I make them proud this summer when they make the trip over to watch me play in the Czech Republic.
‘I couldn’t be happier to share this experience with a very talented but also lovely group of guys – I feel this could be a special summer ahead.’
Overall, he expects 2022 to be ‘full of many amazing memories and experiences’.
‘I have many occasions to look forward to including the European Championship, NSL with Bristol Tigers, but also to play alongside my mum [Jussie Smith] in a recent switch to Rookies in the Guernsey leagues.’
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