Australian softball team: The first team to land in Japan speak about their Olympic preparations

After arriving in Japan's capital Tokyo on Tuesday (1 June), the Australian women's softball team became the first athletes to land in the host nation ahead of the Olympic Games next month.

Having touched down at Narita Airport, the Aussie Spirit were whisked away to their base in Ota City, Gunma - which also hosted pre-camps for the team previously in 2018 and 2019. They will stay there until entering the Athletes' Village on 17 July.

Chelsea Forkin, Leigh Godfrey and Belinda White, a trio who have played together for over two decades, spoke to Tokyo 2020 from their separate rooms.

"It's been a long time coming," Folkin said, "It's sunk in for me [that the Olympic Games are approaching] and I'm sure it has for the other girls as well that we're pretty close now and that we are in the last stage. It's exciting to finally be here in Japan.

"I think we are ready to get stuck into the busy end of things."

It's just 47 days until Australia begin their Olympic campaign but before then the team needs to be whittled down from 23 to 15. And with that in the back of her mind, Godfrey is still keeping her feet on the ground.

"Because we haven't made that final team selection, it's sort of a day-by-day thing. I think whoever makes it will have a bit more of a realisation that the Olympics aren't far away," she said.

"For me personally, it becomes more real once that team gets announced - whether I'm in it or not - just how close the Olympics are."

For now though, the players are settling into 'bubble life', where they have access to a dining hall and gym alongside a table tennis table, with some players even bringing their Nintendo Switch for some friendly competition.

"We've definitely got plenty of activities to keep us busy," Forkin said.

The players can only leave the hotel to travel to and from training, but they've had plenty of time to prepare for their time in Japan.

"I think we're all very well versed in the fact that we weren't going to be able to just leave the hotel like you regularly would be able to... so a lot of people packed their favourite snacks, coffees and all that good stuff," Godfrey said.

"Also the hotel [staff] have always look after us when it comes to that sort of stuff. They're super accommodating and try to do whatever makes our lives as easy as possible.

"I would say that most girls have got rooms full of all their favourite things."

Back together again in Japan

With players coming from several states across Australia, the Aussie Spirit haven't trained together since February 2020. But that's all set to change tomorrow (Saturday 5 June), as they have their first training session in Japan.

For the majority of the past year, players have trained within their home states, sometimes with just one other person alongside them.

"We've obviously been separated for a significant period of time," said Godfrey, who was just one of two Spirit team members in Western Australia, "So it's just nice to be around the group again, and just going out to play the game that we all love to play."

"Similar to Leigh, there are only three South Australia-based players. I'm really excited to get out and be around the team. I thrive off the energy of everyone else, so I'm keen to have a full diamond, have a bit of a hit and a throw with a different group of people," said White.

While the 23 players departed from different ports in Australia, eventually transiting through Singapore together, it was the farewell at Sydney International Airport that most drew the attention of the media.

Even in the days leading up to their departure, they were the talk of the town in Australia.

"It was very different because we've never experienced that much media hype around softball," recalled White, who flew from Adelaide to Sydney for the departure.

"But it was really cool. Everyone was in just such a great mood to see their teammates, as we haven't seen them for so long, and talk to the press. It was just such a good energy around it that was really polite and pleasant."

Once they touched down in Tokyo, it was a similar experience as they made their way out of the arrivals hall.

"I think walking into the airport and there was no one around, that was the more unusual part because we've travelled so much over the many years we've played," White noted.

"It became a bit more realistic when there was so much press surrounding our arrival," Godfrey said. "And obviously we're following all the protocols that have been put in place for us to keep everyone safe."

Bases fully loaded

In Australia, a country that has dealt relatively well with the COVID-19 pandemic due to its strict border control measures, many athletes have gone through a long period without international competition.

Their time in Ota City, which is also where Japan's national softball team are based, will give Australia valuable preparation time.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for us to be able to get together as a team and work on the things that we need to work on," Forkin commented. "We're certainly not where we need to be yet, but we know that this is a perfect opportunity for us to play those games and be exposed to that type of level of competition.

"It's an integral part [of preparations] and we definitely can't wait to get out there."

"I think on the back of that," Godfrey added, "The reality is that with the Games being postponed we had an extra 12 months of training and particularly individual training. So I think at the end of the day, us being able to come together as a group and play as many games as possible is only going to benefit us down the track and allow us to have as much success as we can at those Olympic Games."

Australia will play 23 games against local professional teams, with two of those against Japan. However, in the midst of their preparations, eight players will be cut from the team.

And while the decision will be difficult, especially with the team already in Japan, Godfrey sees it as a way to have healthy competition among the players.

"Obviously there have been a number of challenges through a pandemic, we haven't been able to play a lot together. I think this gives us the optimal chance for success at the Olympic Games, so at the end of the day it's a healthy competitiveness we've got within the squad."

The wait is almost over!

Softball was removed from the Olympic programme after Beijing 2008, so Tokyo 2020 represents a unique opportunity for the players to fulfil their Olympic dream.

And the one-year delay hasn't dampened the excitement of the players.

"It kind of like the Olympics are even bigger because, for our sport as a whole, it's been so many years," Forkin said.

"But it's also time to just take one step because obviously it's not for another month and a half... And then once that team has been selected, we can focus on the next part."

Australia's Stacey Porter and Justine Smethurst are the only two members of the 23-player squad to have previous Olympic experience, having played at Beijing 2008 where Australia took home bronze.

"Having the opportunity to play on the Olympic platform is something that we've probably always wanted to do as individuals. I know for me personally, it's been a goal of mine for many years. And I guess now that the opportunity is actually real, you can almost reach it and grab it," Forkin continued.

"I think just being able to have the opportunity and just be grateful to even be here is something that I'm trying to channel. I might not even make it. But just having the opportunity to be here with the girls and help in the preparation is just something that I've been trying to focus on rather than the end result."

A chance to build on past glories

Along with the United States, Australia is the only team to have medalled at every Olympics softball has been a part of, winning one silver and three bronzes.

Gold is the only colour medal not in their collection.

It won't be an easy road with both Japan and the United States, the gold and silver medallist from Beijing 2008, expected to be the favourites.

But Forkin believes that anything is possible at the Olympic Games.

"There are six games that are going to be contested for that gold medal and I think on any given day, anyone could take it."

Australia will face Japan, Italy, Canada, the United States and finally Mexico, with the top four teams set to battle it out for a medal.

"There's just so much before that to come, but I have thought about it," White said. "You have to put yourself in situations to know how you're going to feel, how you're gonna react and all of that. But I haven't thought to that extent. I know we want gold, that's the only reason we're going. We're not going there to win any other colour," she laughed.

"I'm just excited to take every day as it comes... But definitely like Foulkes, that's only reason we're going. I don't want silver, I don't want bronze," White smiled.