Dual athlete focuses on softball career
By Gemma Varcoe, Queanbeyan Age sports journalist First published in the Queanbeyan Age, Friday 5 February 2016
Some valuable signings and returns came to the Queanbeyan Tigers in the off season, but the football club is set to lose one of their most promising young players.
Joshua McGovern, 18, will be taking a sabbatical from football in order to concentrate on his burgeoning softball career, at least for the next twelve months.
The dual athlete was recently selected in the Australian under 19 national softball squad, and is set to travel to Midland, Michigan, to compete in the 11th instalment of the Junior Men’s World Championships in July.
The selection means that McGovern will be representing his country for the second time, having previously been selected for the under 19 national team in 2014.
“I made this team two years ago, we went to the Yukon, Whitehorse in Canada so that was alright,” McGovern said.
“We came fourth, so I’m hoping for a bit better this year.”
McGovern said that the opportunity to represent his country and compete with good quality opposition was what excited him most about the selection.
“New Zealand, Japan and Argentina are always good,” McGovern said.
“New Zealand came second last year and they’re pretty good but in 19s there isn’t really anyone who dominates. See your ad here
“It’s either New Zealand, Japan, Argentina or us that usually come pretty close to winning.”
Despite taking a break from football, McGovern still enjoys the sport he fell in love with as a child and commended the inclusive community spirit inherent within Queanbeyan football.
“I only play AFL for fun now because I’m so competitive with my softball,” he said.
“But the people around the Tigers, and the community, they make you feel like it’s a second home.”
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