Congratulations to former Moorebank Royals player Blake Gooding who has been offered a full scholarship to study and play baseball at Hillsborough College in Florida!
Blake began his baseball career with the Royals at the age of six and instantly fell in love with the game. Playing Short Stop and Second Base, he then moved on to play for the MacArthur Orioles and Sydney University.
In 2021, the Wattle Grove local was selected in an elite group of five to go on tour with DownUnder Travellers, where he showcased his skills to the coaching staff at Hillsborough, as well as other colleges and scout agencies.
In 2022, he represented U18s Australia in New Zealand with the team qualifying for the 2023 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan.
In April 2023, just before his 18th birthday, Blake played in a tournament in Queensland which was organised by DownUnder Travellers and received the offer to play for Hillsborough.
Blake says it’s a dream come true.
“It’s a bit of a pinch yourself moment. Playing in the US is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid and to be offered a scholarship is the icing on the cake. All the training and hard work is paying off. I really do feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents and their unwavering support. And a massive thank you to the teams I’ve played with, and my coaches”.
Blake’s Mum Shelley says she couldn’t be prouder.
“We see the time and effort he puts into his training, and we see how hard he works. He deserves this opportunity, and we can’t wait to see how far he goes. It’s a dream come true and the whole family has so much love and pride in our hearts”.
Moorebank Sporties and the Moorebank Royals wish Blake all the best in the US.
