A pitch at retirement

NICHOLAS BOYACK/Hutt News

ROLE MODEL: Cindy Potae has been one of our best softballers in a long career for the White Sox, Hutt Valley, Saints and Te Aroha. She is not sure how much longer she will play but there could soon be another Potae making a name for herself. Cindy's 12-year-old daughter Kodi is already a Hutt Valley rep.

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The career of one of our best ever female softballers may be drawing to a close.

Cindy Potae was first picked for New Zealand as a 16 year old, and has attended three World Series and the 2000 Olympics in a career that has brought her numerous national and club titles.

For the last seven or eight years she has been a stalwart for Te Aroha and Hutt Valley, and will be one of the key players when Hutt Valley looks to defend its national title after Christmas.

But at the end of the season, the 31 year old plans to think about her future.

"I am going to finish the season off with Te Aroha and I am still up in the air about making myself available for the White Sox and having a go at the World Series."

An option, she says, is to continue playing for Te Aroha on a restricted basis.

Whatever she decides, Cindy says she is keen to put something back into the sport.

After leaving Taita College she played for Saints and then Te Aroha.

She has been fortunate to play during a golden era for the code, alongside top players like Kiri Shaw, Melisa Upu, Zavana Aranga and Nadia Mauriohooho.

She has also played under two of the best coaches New Zealand has produced, Mike Walsh and Naomi Shaw.

Her first contact with Walsh came when he was coaching the White Sox in 1999. He has since had a highly successful career with Te Aroha and Cindy says she has learned a lot from him.

"He is very good coach.

"I know he is hard but that is what makes him successful and he is very dedicated."

During the early part of her career, Cindy played for Saints under current Hutt Valley coach Naomi Shaw.

"She has been great for softball and that is where a lot of us have got our values from, the need to give something back to the sport.

"It is people like her that keep the game alive."

One of the factors that has kept her playing has been the success of Te Aroha, which she attributes to Walsh, the management of the club and spirit among players.

"We are successful because we are a family on the field and off the field. We have great support behind us, great management."

Cindy has flourished in more than softball.

During the years she has played rugby, rugby league and football.

This year she played football for Lower Hutt in a grade-winning team that featured Shaw, Shirley Povey, Upu, Aranga, Cheree Cartwright and Lara Andrews.

For now, her thoughts are on softball and extending Hutt Valley's winning streak.

The team has a positive attitude and she has no doubt that Hutt Valley will again be champions.

"It's another family environment, much like Te Aroha. The girls get on well and know their job, and respect each other.

"That is why we win."