Victorian representative Ryan Sinclair and the Aussie Steelers are set to embark on their 2019 WBSC World Championship campaign in Prague next week.

SV Media caught up with Sinclair for an exclusive two-part interview series, looking into his personal journey to Steelers selection, the team’s preparation in the lead-up and the influence Coach Kere Johanson has had on the playing group.

Sinclair’s journey to selection has been far from easy. Speaking on the brief break he took from the sport, he said it allowed him to return rejuvenated and eager for the next challenge.

“Following the 2017 World Championships in Canada, I took a hiatus for 9 months, which was good to freshen up the mind and the body,” Sinclair said.

“As of mid-2018, I got back into training for the Victorian team, competed at Nationals earlier this year and put myself up for reselection.

“I’ve been leading up to this tournament for 12 months, it’s been a bit of a challenge over that length of time.”

Due to the Steelers players being based all across Australia, the team hasn’t always trained as a group. Luckily for Sinclair, he has elite Victorian based companions that have helped him through his preparation.

“About a month ago we all met up for a training camp at the AIS in Canberra. Then back in Victoria, I’m lucky enough to have a number of elite athletes, including Joel Goodall & Jayden Bamford around to train with.

“We train together once a week for the past couple of months, so I have really enjoyed training together in that circle.”

“The lead up has been good, the team is very close and we’ve been working hard over the past six weeks. We’re really looking forward to the challenge that’s coming up.”

When asked about who he’s most looking forward to playing alongside, Sinclair spoke highly of long-time teammates and friends from New South Wales, Liam O’Leary and Hayden Matthews.

“I have developed a pretty close relationship with some of the guys from New South Wales in Liam O’Leary and Hayden Matthews.

“We’re all the same age. We played in the Junior World Series together and have a lot in common. I generally room with them when I go away.”

“To also play alongside two of the best pitchers in the world in the Captain Andrew Kirkpatrick and Adam Folkard, is pretty exciting with the experience and talent they bring.”

Stay tuned next week on our website and social media channels for the second part of SV Media’s interview with Ryan Sinclair’s.

Find out all you need to know about the Aussie Steelers WBSC World Championships campaign here: