Schollum's spoiled for choice

LUCIE CARY/Marlborough Express

SOFTBALL OR RUGBY? Both thanks, says multi-talented Kurt Schollum, pictured on Thursday at A and P Park in Blenheim.

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This time last year, Kurt Schollum faced a difficult decision.

Picked in the New Zealand under-16 softball development team, the national coaches advised him not to play rugby because of the risk of injury.

Schollum initially wanted to play, so trialled for the Marlborough Boys' College First XV and made the cut. However, he then heeded the softball officials' advice and withdrew from the squad.

The teenager then suffered a bad knee injury during physical education in the Marlborough Boys' College gymnasium, but he still managed to get through the softball tour to Australia and later in the season turned out for the Marlborough under-16 rugby team at the South Island tournament in Blenheim.

This year, he has had the same advice from New Zealand softball after his selection in the New Zealand under-19 training squad.

They have a training camp at Hastings next month, and from that, the team will be chosen to represent New Zealand in a Friendship series in Australia.

This New Zealand team will be a virtual development team working towards selecting the 2012 Junior Black Sox for the World Series in Argentina.

Schollum, of course, wants to make the national team next month, but not at the expense of rugby, and he has decided to have a bid at both.

At 98 kilograms, 186 centimetres and still only 15 years of age, the imposing loose forward looks set to make the college's First XV to play in the Press Cup competition.

Speaking yesterday about his decision, Schollum, a talented pitcher and game-breaking batter, said, "I missed out on the First XV last year because of softball and I do regret that decision.

"I'm playing in the (First XV) trials. I'm not sure which sport I'll concentrate on in future. I'll see where rugby goes in two years."

Schollum's softball skills will be on show tomorrow, as he plays in the Redwood Trophy knockout cup final for Wairau Black against Saints at A and P Park, start time 1pm. The Wairau Black team has several players from Wairau White playing, Schollum included, because White were unable to field a full team.

Wairau spokesman Colin Hayes expects the final to be close, batting being the strength of both teams who have been affected by player unavailabilities, mainly because of rugby commitments.

Wairau Black won the previous clash between the two convincingly during the Intercity competition, but Saints spokesman Darren Aldridge is hoping his team can redeem themselves tomorrow.

Key pitcher/batter Kyle Marfell, plus Jim McCabe and Hamish Stevenson, are unavailable for Saints, but Jason Rouse is expected back to boost the batting and provide back-up to starting pitcher Shane Parnell.

Marshall Rawiri, Colin and Dylan Hayes and Shawn Bogle are among the key men in Wairau Black's quest for the silverware.

Schollum and fellow Wairau team-mate Dylan Hayes are off to Christchurch next week to play in the club nationals.

Schollum is a guest player for Stoke Eagles, while Hayes joins up with his brother, former Black Sox under-19 pitcher Nik Hayes, with Hutt Valley Cardinals.

- The Marlborough Express