Following national trials held in Cardiff on 22nd November 2025, three Chichester Falcons players have been selected for the Great Britain Under 16 Men’s Fastpitch Softball squad. Owen Harbord, Solly Burton, and Magnus Thornton-Smith (also selected for the U18 squad) undertook a number of tests at the Vale Arena to demonstrate their skills to the GB assessors with around eighty kids taking part.

The tests included batting, pitching, throwing and base running, with an experienced team of coaches from across the UK to assess the participants. The date and venue were rearranged after severe weather prevented the original trials that were scheduled at The National Baseball & Softball Complex at Farnham Park in September.

The player selection was independently assessed on the day, however the three Chichester players have attended a number of GB run training sessions throughout the year to build their skills and confidence, including matches against top level men’s teams, and the GB U18 and U23 squads.

Fastpitch softball is like baseball with a similar pitch layout, except with a larger ball (which is not soft), underarm pitching, and a few minor rule changes. Although baseball pitching is faster, typically 90+ mph in the professional game compared to 60-70+ mph in softball, the ball delivery is much closer in fastpitch softball, so reaction time is minimal.

Great Britain will be sending U16 & U18 teams to the 2026 European Championships in the Czech Republic in June, hopefully with a strong representation from the Chichester area. Intensive training will take place throughout the next few months with the U16’s working alongside the U18’s. The final squad of 17 will be announced in the Spring.

In addition to this, there was more success for the Chichester Falcons youth players with Nathan Wyborn and Jonah Lord-Taylor selected for the GB U18’s Fastpitch Softball squad. Both have previously represented Great Britain playing in the 2023 European Championship where the GB team finished 4th.

Chichester Falcons also run a popular youth baseball programme, and this has brought equal levels of success with three players making the training squad for the Great Britain U12’s. Freddie Ford, Archie Douglas and Clark Piesse were all selected. The Falcons have won the U10’s National Little League title for the last two years.

They become the first ever Great Britain Baseball representatives from Chichester Falcons. If they make it through to the final squad they will play at the 2026 European Championship in France in July.

Youth team coach David Piesse said “After two seasons of success at Nationals we now have achieved the goal of getting representation within the Great Britain Baseball setup. Freddie, Archie and Clark are credits to the club and their country for the commitment and hard work they have put in to get there. We hope this is a great start to fostering local baseball at the elite level and expand the game within the Chichester area.”