Former Mariners and Bermuda rugby player, Roger Marshman, has been selected to represent Great Britain – in softball.

The Bermudian, who now lives in New Zealand, will represent Great Britain at the World Men's Softball Championships which is taking place in Canada in July.

Marshman is well known in Bermudian softball circles, having starred for both the Blue Sox and MR Onions during his time on the Island. While playing for Blue Sox, he won the Golden Glove award in his first season and topped all the offensive categories in his last year with the club.

He also played as flanker for Mariners and represented the Island during their World Cup qualifying campaign in 2000.

A construction worker, Marshman has been part of the GB set-up for a number of years and was a member of the side that came third in the European Softball Championships in Denmark last year.

However, his place at the World Championships in July is under threat because a lack of funding means he has to find $3,500 in order to make the trip to Saskatoon where the tournament will take place.

And his bid to make the event has suffered a further blow with the economic downturn seeing him laid off recently.

Marshman's friend, former Bermuda Policeman Billy Tempest-Mitchell, is urging the softball player's former team-mates and opponents to rally round and help.