Teagan Fisher, hitting high for state softball selection

Snaring a place in the coveted Catholic schools NSW Girls Softball Trials for the third year running, Teagan Fisher, 17, of St Columba's College in Springwood was part of a team facing off against government and independent schools yesterday for a spot in the NSW All Schools team.

NSW CCC (Combined Catholic Colleges) softball convener Peter Garty said she also took on the role as the team's co-captain for the first time.

"I've been in the team now for the third time, so it's something I've aimed for for a while [making the All Schools side]," Teagan said.

The Year 12 student and school vice captain is busy juggling the demands of her final year of study and representative softball.

Today [Wednesday] she will know whether she has a place in the All Schools Team but she will be concentrating on other priorities - her half yearly exams.

"That's actually more a priority," she told the Gazette.

"I've got ancient history and English," she said, adding that in between practising for her trials, she had to fit in a final club softball match against her younger sister Jenna's team, as well as her casual job at a supermarket.

Starting in the sport at age eight, initially Teagan had to be cajoled back to softball after her first year.

"I think Mum made me go back [the second year]," she said laughing.

"But the next year I played and made lots of friends there, it's just a good atmosphere."

Since then, she's established a solid playing career as a talented infielder playing shortstop and on first base, and is also accomplished with the bat.

Garty, who is also a selector for the All Schools team, said Teagan had bucketloads of "enthusiasm for starters".

"The skills and ability she brings to the diamond has given her a place in the [NSW CCC] side for the past three years," he said.

Teagan played for Blue Mountains softball club for many years, winning their prestigious Junior Player of the Year award in 2012, for her representative achievements and contribution to the club, coaching two junior teams and umpiring. She has a long list of credits and has also been part of the under 17s NSW state squad, the Western Sydney Academy of Sport and the Sydney Metro team that competed at the Australian Regional under 15 Championships.

One of the highlights was playing against Japan, she said.

She has also represented the Parramatta diocese seven times and played State League for the past two years. And she's a gun netballer.

"She loves both sports," said mum, Susan, who has ferried her to softball games as far afield as Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra.

While sport is in her DNA -both parents are high school PE teachers - Teagan's not worried if she doesn't crack the big time in the softball leagues, having already placed first in one of her subjects at school last year.

She's hoping to be a physiotherapist. "I'd like to go to uni," she said.

Fifteen players will be selected for the NSW All Schools Team and they will compete at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide in November.