Mark Sorenson
Mark was the captain of the New Zealand Men's Softball Team, the Black Sox, from 1989 until the beginning of 2001 and led his team to victory at the world championships in 1996 and 2000. He returned to the team in 2004 when they became the first team ever to win three consecutive Softball World Championships. IN 2007 he retired from all levels of Softball.
He was named Wellington Sportsman of the Year in 1989, 1997 and 2001 and three times NZ Softball player of the year. In 1997 he was named as Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Mark has been selected 12 times to the “All World Team” by the International Softball Congress (this is a world record, no-one has ever played for this team for over 11 years) and selected six times consecutively to the “All American Team” at the USA Nationals and voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player in 1990 and 1992.
As well as his highly successful sporting career on the playing field, Mark also coached the Under 19 Junior Black Sox for their 2005 World Series. To cap his successful sporting career, Mark recently claimed the No 51 spot in the book, NZ's 100 Top History Makers in Sport.
Mark has held a number of sales, promotions and project management positions and has acted as a youth worker and sports ambassador for NZ police and Sport Wellington region.
Mark’s presentations are both inspirational and entertaining. His story covers how the team did it the “hard way” using discipline and dedication as tools to success. Following their triumph at the 2004 World Championships, on home ground in Christchurch, the Black Sox have arguably become New Zealand’s most successful sports team.
Testimonials
Without a doubt Mark was one of the most interesting and entertaining speakers we have ever had at our Club. To hear first hand how the New Zealand team planned and excecuted the defence of their World Title had the audience enthralled. In short, they did it the hard way and their discipline and dedication is an example that all our national teams should follow.—Johnsonville Club Inc
[We] needed to provide inspiration on how much more effective we can be as a team - he did this well. A perfect balance between friendly, professional, personal and inspirational.— ANZ
Mark had obviously studied the brief and tuned his presentation to our theme accordingly. Because of his down to earth presence and presentation, it made the audience more comfortable with and accepting of what he had to say. Many felt his presentation was the best of the invited speakers at the conference.—Foodstuffs (South Island) Ltd
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