Caden, 15, was part of the NSW Country team that won the under-15 title at last year’s Australian Regional championships and is now going one better.

The shortstop and catcher said winning the title last year was a great feeling.

“It was pretty fun, exciting. It is good to be around teammates winning,” he said.

And he rates it higher than winning at a local level.

“It doesn’t feel as good as winning a national.”

Apart from chasing another win at the under 17s level, now with the NSW state team, the tournament could also be a stepping stone for an international series and a future in open softball for Caden.

He said Australian teams for the International Friendship Series that has featured teams from New Zealand and Pacific Islands would be picked from players in the championships.

“I’d like to make the open men’s team and keep on playing for NSW,” he said.

Softball has a NSW state league based in Blacktown but Caden says he would like to continue to play in Orange at an open level.

“There’s a Sydney competition but I will still probably be staying here,” he said.

Caden has been training for this weekend’s tournament in Sydney for the past three months.

That has necessitated his dad Darren, a teacher, driving him down to western Sydney and back once a week.

They have to be there in time for training from 6.30pm.

“I’m back in Orange at one o’clock [in the morning] and then I’ve got to get up for work. Work has been very accommodating,” Darren said.

The national titles will be held at Adelaide’s West Beach from January 5-11.

The under 17s competition will featured teams from NSW, SA, Victoria, Queensland and WA.

NSW are the reigning champions.