Samoa is already targeting a place at the 2017 World Softball Championships after coming up short in their bid to qualify for next year's event in Canada.
The Tanifa finished third in the Oceania Qualifier Series in Auckland at the weekend, losing all four of their matches against World Champions New Zealand and eventual winners Australia.
Despite all three countries being ranked in the top seven, only the top two advanced to next year's World Champs in Saskatoon.
Samoa coach Rob Siolo says the prospects for 2017 are a lot better.
"The next World Series is open. By open I mean that there isn't a qualifying series to be had - it's basically you apply and whoever can get there basically gets in - so that's in 2017. We've already talked about that. The boys that were there at this qualifying series tournament have all committed to being there for 2017 so that's a great start for us and lots of planning and fundraising and what have you needs to go into ensuring that we get the best team possible to that event".
Rob Siolo says despite not winning a game at the weekend, the Samoan team improved considerably the more time they spent together.
