EX-COAST WINNER TO LOOK AFTER AUSTRALIA

FORMER Gold Coast championship-winning player and Australian baseball icon David Nilsson will drive the national team forward as the Tokyo Olympics loom.

The ex-Milwaukee Brewers catcher and 1999 MLB All Star takes the reins as manager having mentored the Brisbane Bandits to three straight Australian Baseball League titles. Nilsson played in Australia’s silver medal campaign at the 2004 Olympics and has been hailed as the “strong leader” required.

“David is an outstanding appointment to a critical period in our sport’s success, with the 2019 Premier12, 2020 Olympics and the 2021 World Baseball Classic all taking place over the next three years,” said Baseball Australia boss Cam Vale.

“We had a quality field of candidates who applied and interviewed for the position, and ultimately David was the unanimous choice.”

Nilsson featured in the Gold Coast-based Daikyo Dolphins’ 1991-92 ABL championship.

Picture: SMP IMAGES David Nilsson, a former Major League Baseball player, has been appointed to lead Team Australia.