Olympics:'We need games', Australian softball squad off to Japan next week

FILE PHOTO: Stacey Porter of Australia (L) scores on a single by Natalie Ward in the sixth inning as Canada catcher Erin Cumpstone takes the throw during their women's preliminaries softball game at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 17, 2008. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Olympic softball squad will be among the first athletes to arrive from overseas for the Tokyo Games when they fly off for a training camp in Japan next Monday to get some desperately needed game practice.

The 23-woman squad will land in Tokyo on June 1 for a six-week camp in Ota, some 80 kilometres northwest of the capital, before the final 15-strong roster for the Games is selected.