TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM SPORT AUSTRALIA ...... 2

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ...... 4

CEO’S REPORT ...... 6

MEMBER STATES ...... 9

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ...... 10

COMMITTEES ...... 11

HIGH PERFORMANCE ...... 12

MEMBERSHIP ...... 23

MEMBER RECOGNITION ...... 27

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING ...... 33

HOMEPLATE LADDER PROGRAM ...... 37

TECHNICAL ...... 43

TEAMS AND SQUADS ...... 59

INTERNATIONAL ...... 63

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS ...... 66

OTHER RESULTS ...... 76

AWARDS & HONOURS ...... 79

PARTNERS & SPONSORS ...... 84

MESSAGE FROM SPORT AUSTRALIA

John Wylie AM

Sport and physical activity has enormous influence on our nation’s health, education, social, economic and diplomatic outcomes.

It’s why Sport Australia and the AIS remain steadfast in our vision: to make Australia the world’s most active sporting nation, known for its integrity, sporting success and world-leading sports industry.

Australia’s commitment, outlined in the Australian Government’s national sport plan, Sport 2030, is to reduce physical inactivity by 15 per cent. It’s a huge challenge Sport Australia enthusiastically accepts.

We are making significant progress and Sport Australia’s programs are benefitting sport, as well as broader community health and wellbeing, including tackling issues such as obesity. Our partnerships with National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) remain fundamental, but we are also engaging more than ever with other networks to grow our sporting industry. Collaboration with physical activity providers, health, education and various levels of Government can deliver more for sport and all Australians.

This was highlighted in 2018-19 when Sport Australia, on behalf of the Australian Government, delivered $150million in new participation programs. The $100million Community Sport Infrastructure grants program is enhancing hundreds of grassroots facilities across Australia. The $28.9million Participation grants program is encouraging innovative programs that help break the down barriers to physical activity. The new $22.9million Better Ageing grants program is helping senior Australians 65 and older to get more active and socially connected.

Our national Sporting Schools program remains a key platform to address childhood inactivity and drive generational change. We have funded 7300 schools and recorded more than 5.2million attendances since its launch in mid-2015. We continue to look at ways to maximise the impact of Sporting Schools and link it with our work in physical literacy. By teaching our children to run, throw, jump or kick, we put them on the path to better lives.

There is no success without integrity. We continue to encourage environments that are inclusive and welcoming. Increasing diversity in our industry is critical and we want to make sport the benchmark for a more equitable society.

All this work is emphasised by our national behaviour change campaign, Move It AUS. Our call to action is to ‘Find Your 30’ minutes of physical activity every day, and enjoy the benefits.

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We are continuing to build the capability of the sports industry, addressing governance reform to bring out the very best in our sporting organisations. The One Management project looks at helping sports align their strategy, workforce and financial management.

The AIS, in partnership with the National Institute Network and National Sporting Organisations, is aligning Australia’s high performance sport strategy too. The National High Performance Sport Strategy 2024 signals the first time all Federal and State/Territory sports agencies have signed up to a joint high performance strategy.

In November 2018, the AIS announced an updated investment model for high performance sport and through this improved framework, Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports will benefit from a longer term approach to funding. Instead of annual grants to sport, for the first time the AIS is providing longer-term funding commitments to give sports more stability and certainty to plan ahead.

All of this work is important with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics drawing near, and the 2022 Beijing Winter Games and Paris 2024 beyond that.

Enhancing athlete pathways and athlete wellbeing are primary areas of focus for the AIS, and are keys to creating long-term sustainable success. We have embedded 20 Athlete Wellbeing Managers across National Sporting Organisations, and, working closely with the AIS Wellbeing and Engagement team, are delivering key programs and support from mental health programs, through to career guidance and connection to Australians at the community level.

The AIS is also leading collaborative sports research, applied technology and innovation initiatives including the Gold Medal Ready program, a unique partnership with the Australian Army to help athletes perform under pressure.

From backyards to benchmark international events, we believe unquestionably in the power of sport and physical activity to reflect the very best in our culture and to be a powerful vehicle for change.

Thank you for all you do for Australian sport and best wishes for the year ahead.

John Wylie, AM Sport Australia

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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

John Hollingsworth

Softball Australia has seen significant change over the last financial year most of which will benefit the sport in the long term.

The appointment of David Pryles as Chief Executive Officer and Chet Gray as Chief Operating Officer has set us on track for success both on and off the diamond. David has achieved significant commercial outcomes for Softball Australia in a very short space of time with a raft of new commercial partners coming on board together with increased media exposure. Chet Gray has been freed up to dedicate his time to oversee our major events and High Performance program. On behalf of the Board of Softball Australia, I’d like to congratulate both David and Chet on the steps they’ve taken to put us in a strong position for the year ahead.

We commenced the One Softball project in 2018 and I’m pleased to report we have taken great strides towards an outcome that will transform our sport in Australia. We knew when we began to explore new models that it would be a lengthy process, however with the support of our Member States, we are continuing to move forward into exciting new territory. The primary aim of this project is to increase participation and ultimately membership in softball across Australia. It is crucial for us to grow the sport and the One Softball strategy is going to play the pivotal role.

In February 2019, as part of our efforts to improve participation and lift our profile, we introduced a world- first format of the game – Fully Loaded Softball. Launched by international calibre athletes through the Summer Slam in the game’s first ever broadcast deal with FOX SPORTS Australia, we were able to capture the attention of the softball community with the exciting fast-paced product. We’ve seen several clubs and associations trial the new format with great feedback from participants old and new to the game.

In addition to Fully Loaded Softball, Softball Australia has also begun to re-energise the Softball Batter Up program with the help of our Member States.

Fully Loaded Softball and Softball Batter Up have toolkits available to help clubs and associations attract new participants to softball at the grassroots level.

At the elite level we’ll turn our attention to Shanghai in September 2019 for our all-important Olympic Qualifier against our fellow Asia/Oceania nations. We can be proud of our Travelodge Aussie Spirit and the steps they’ve taken to prepare for a possible return to the Games.

Our Open Women’s team returned to the National Pro Fastpitch League under the banner of the Aussie Spirit.

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Notably, Stacey Porter’s 430th game at the Asia Pacific Cup in February was an outstanding achievement; congratulations, Stacey.

Congratulations also to our 2018 Life Member inductees: Debbie Grove and Ngaire Huston, and Softball Australia Hall of Fame inductees: Jodie Bowering, Neal Delpero and Jeff Goolagong.

Thank you to my fellow national directors. It is a pleasure to have such a diverse, highly-skilled board working hard for the sport of softball in Australia. Thank you to all the State Boards, State-based staff and national office staff – your collective efforts are much appreciated. Finally, a huge thanks to the volunteers on the ground delivering softball competitions and programs to our near 150,000 participants.

The next year promises to be just as fulfilling for softball in this country.

John Hollingsworth Chair

Stacey Porter (NSW) – 430 Games @ 2019 Asia Pacific Cup

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CEO’S REPORT

David Pryles

Softball Australia has taken enormous steps on and off the diamond over the past 12 months.

Financially, I’m proud to report Softball Australia is in the strongest position in recent years, reporting a significant profit in the 2018/2019 Financial Year, the first since FY16.

Through hard work across all areas of the business, we’ve put ourselves in a much stronger position, resulting in a better product for current Softball Australia members, and an attractive sport for potential new participants.

We look forward to sharing the results of this windfall with exciting new products and initiatives to Clubs and Associations across the country.

Importantly, we’ve taken some significant steps forward in the One Softball initiative, I’m pleased to say the communication between Softball Australia and the Member States has never been at a higher level.

This initiative is crucial to the future growth of the sport and while we still have a long way to go, I’m confident we can create a model that operates in the best interest of softball in Australia.

Significantly the new format of the game, Fully Loaded Softball, was put on display to an international audience during the Summer Slam.

We were able to broker the sport’s first ever broadcast deal with FOX SPORTS Australia (as well as Fox Sports Asia and Sky Sport in NZ) which also included the Asia Pacific Cup final, all three days of the Summer Slam and the Men’s TAB Challenge Cup played in New Zealand.

I’m excited to confirm FOX SPORTS Australia have agreed to continue to televise elite softball in 2020, putting us again in a strong position for our current and potential commercial partners.

Softball Australia’s recent commercial success has played a large part in our financial position after we’ve been able to secure partnerships with a number of exciting organisations.

TFE Hotels, East Coast Car Rentals, FOX SPORTS Australia, SONIQ, Virgin Australia, American Tourister, SportsLink Travel, V-Insurance, Easton and Greatrex have all seen the exciting opportunities achievable through a partnership with Softball Australia.

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As a result, we’ve been able to provide members with exclusive offers and discounts, we look forward to securing more for members over the coming months.

Still on our members, the decision was made to appoint a full-time Communications and Marketing resource for Softball Australia to reach a broader audience outside of the softball fraternity.

Already we’ve seen a significant uplift in mainstream media coverage, social media presence, marketing collateral and overall presentation of the organisation. Already, at our major event, the Asia Pacific Cup, we’ve seen an increase of over 100% in our social media reach, interaction and engagement. This resource also allows us to service the needs of our growing list of commercial partners.

On the diamond, with Chief Operating Officer Chet Gray continuing to oversee our High Performance program, our Travelodge Aussie Spirit and Aussie Steelers continue to represent themselves with pride on the international stage.

Our Women’s team this year took an important step in their Olympic Qualifier preparations when they made another appearance in the National Pro Fastpitch League, this time under the banner of the Aussie Peppers of Minnesota.

Our partnership with the Peppers gives us an attractive pathway to develop our future stars as we continue to aim for a place in the Olympic Games.

The Travelodge Aussie Spirit also performed admirably at the WBSC World Championship in August 2018, just missing out on the medals with a fourth place finish.

Our Men’s team competed in the WBSC World Championship in Prague where we finished seventh and saw the end of a magnificent international career for Andrew Kirkpatrick.

The highlight of the last 12 months was undoubtedly the Junior Men’s World Championship where our Junior Steelers won gold in July of 2018, congratulations to those young men, some of whom are now fixtures in the Open team.

I would like to make mention of the fantastic contribution made to the game by Sue Nisbet, Sue retired from her role at Softball Queensland after 30 years of service.

Congratulations on your career Sue and I hope to see you around the diamonds in the years to come.

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Finally, while all eyes will be on China in September during our Olympic Qualifier to return to the Games after 12 long years, regardless of the result, I’m confident softball in Australia will continue to rise.

We have an excellent team in place, all driving towards increasing our profile on the busy Australian sporting landscape.

Thank you for your support during the past 12 months, I’m looking forward to another year of fantastic achievements for this sport.

David Pryles Chief Executive Officer

2019 Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball

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MEMBER STATES

SOFTBALL ACT President: Frank Curcio Chief Executive Officer: Ben Kirk

www.act.softball.org.au SOFTBALL NSW President: Frances Crampton General Manager: Cathy Kerr/David Whittaker (CEO)*

www.nsw.softball.org.au

SOFTBALL NT President: Michelle Krauer Executive Officer: Nicky Bacon

www.nt.softball.org.au

SOFTBALL Qld President: Mark Jeppesen General Manager: Sue Nisbet/Ross Symonds (CEO)**

www.qld.softball.org.au

SOFTBALL SA President: Uby Fadoul Executive Officer: James Harris

www.sa.softball.org.au

SOFTBALL Tas President: Sheryl Burnie Executive Officer: John Milbourne

www.tas.softball.org.au

SOFTBALL Vic President: Bron Madigan Executive Officer: Nick Frayne

www.victoria.softball.org.au SOFTBALL WA President: Warren Duff Chief Executive Officer: Russ Clark

www.wa.softball.org.au

*David Whittaker, CEO from 26 November 2018-7 June 2019 **Sue Nisbet retired December 2018 | Ross Symonds, CEO commenced 5 November 2018

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ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

Board of Directors

John Hollingsworth (Chairman) Melissa Hamilton (appt 25 March 2019) Dennis Cullen (resigned 13 Oct 2018) Peter Jon Hartshorne (elected 13 Oct 2018) Fiona Crawford Christine Heron Sandra De Witt (elected 13 Oct 2018) Helen Langenberg Jenny Dunn (elected 13 Oct 2018) Richard Lindell (appt 1 July 2018)

Staff

David Pryles Chief Executive Officer Chet Gray Chief Operating Officer Jack Lucas (com 4 Dec 2018) Communications & Marketing Manager Ben Utting Sport Development Manager Laing Harrow (appt Oct 2018) Australian Women’s Head Coach Helen Davis Office Manager Shane Cantelmi National Events Manager Tim Hatzi Club & Community Development Coordinator Brooke Wilkins Technical Project Coordinator Joanne Paez Participation Coordinator Hari Prasad Financial Controller Audrina Ning Accounts Assistant

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COMMITTEES

FINANCE COMMITTEE NATIONAL SCORING COMMITTEE

John Hollingsworth, Committee Chair Ngaire Huston (Qld) – Chief Statistician Jenny Dunn Michael Hannelly (NSW) – Technical Development David Pryles Sandra Palmer (NSW) – Operations Hari Prasad Kirsty Andrews (Qld) – Communications Chris Trengove (Vic) – Technology Development

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NATIONAL UMPIRING COMMITTEE

Christine Heron, Committee Chair Kyira Cox (NSW) National UIC/UIC Operations David Pryles, Softball Australia CEO Leigh Evans (Vic) UIC – Technical Sandra De Witt Debbie Grove (Vic) UIC – Development Helen Langenberg Scott Rindfleish (NSW) UIC – Communications Richard Lindell

PRESIDENTS’ COMMISSION HIGH PERFORMANCE ADVISORY GROUP

John Hollingsworth Dennis Cullen (Director) Peter Jon Hartshorne Fiona Crawford (Director) David Pryles Chet Gray (Softball Australia) Frank Curcio (ACT) Simone Wearne (Softball Australia) Loretta Watts (NSW) Laing Harrow (Open Women’s Head Coach) Michelle Krauer (NT) Joyce Lester (Qld) Mark Jeppesen (Qld) Bob Crudgington (Qld) Uby Faddoul (SA) Kerrie Porter (NSW) Sheryl Burnie (Tas) Bron Madigan (Vic) Warren Duff (WA)

HISTORY & RECOGNITION COMMITTEE

Joanne Paez (Softball Australia) Kylie Bloodworth (Softball Australia) Margo Koskelainen OAM (Vic) Mark Jeppesen (Qld) Neville Lawrance (SA) Audrey McLaughlin AM (Qld)

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HIGH PERFORMANCE

The past year has seen tremendous success on The team enjoyed more success in the second the diamond highlighted by the Junior Steelers half of the season due to the addition of several defeating Japan 6-1 at the 12th WBSC Junior World Championship team members who arrived Men’s Softball World Championship in Prince at the start of July for the second half of the Albert, Canada. season. Although the final standings below don’t provide a clear picture of the High Performance The Open Women’s Squad took part in the outcomes achieved by being part of the NPF in second half of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) in 2018, the team still managed to finish third the USA followed by the Women’s Softball World overall. Cup in Chiba, Japan where the team finished in fourth position. 2018 Regular Season Standings

After a thorough High Performance review W L Games following the Open Women’s World played Championship, a number of new staff 1 USSSA Pride 39 5 44 2 Chicago 37 7 44 appointments occurred in the high performance Bandits area. 3 Aussie Spirit 16 32 48 Laing Harrow was appointed program Head 4 Beijing 13 33 46 Eagles Coach and travelled with the Open Women’s 5 Cleveland 10 38 48 Team to the 2018 Japan Cup in Takasaki City. Comets Simone Wearne was appointed High Women’s Softball World Cup Performance Manager to assist with the Open Chiba, Tokyo (Japan) Women’s Squad preparations for the Olympic 2-12 August 2018 Qualifier and Dr Deidre Anderson was appointed Athlete Wellbeing Coordinator. Result – Fourth

International events Player highlights: • Kaia Parnaby – 35.2 innings with an ERA National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF) of 1.27, including 41 strike outs. St Joseph, Missouri (USA) • Clare Warwick –.458 batting average, 19 May-18 August 2018 was clutch in situations and also led the As was the case at the end of the 2018 financial team defensively at short stop year, the Aussie Spirit completed their season at • Jade Wall –.304 batting average, hit the beginning of August before the World middle of the order and also held down Championship team flew to Japan in preparation a solid spot in the outfield for the World Championship.

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Junior Steelers World Cup Player highlights: Prince Albert, SK (Canada) • Kaia Parnaby – 24.3 innings pitched, 1.43 7-15 July 2018 ERA with 27 strike outs Result – Gold Medal • Ellen Roberts – 23.3 innings pitched, 1.80 ERA with 23 strike outs Player highlights: • Jessica Torpey –.357 batting average • Layton Reid – 24 innings pitched with an • Leigh Godfrey –.350 batting average ERA of 0.88, including 49 strike outs • Tamieka Whitefield –.300 batting • Shaun Lanaghan – 16 innings pitched average with an ERA of 1.75 2019 Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball • Ryan King – .381 batting average as one 4-6 February 2019 of our top hitters, hit well in clutch situations, including 2 home runs. The Summer Slam was not only an opportunity • Blake Jackson –.429 average and hit to showcase softball across the country and clutch off the bench, with a couple of internationally with the help of FOX SPORTS home runs. Australia, it also met specific High Performance objectives that were a priority given the 2018 Japan Cup Takasaki, Tokyo (Japan) importance of 2019 as the year of the Olympic 1-4 November 2018 Qualifier. Summer Slam objectives Result – Bronze Medal • Performance Under Pressure – hitting • Player highlights: Stacey Porter – .300+ with runners in scoring position, moving batting average and was solid at third runners over, pitching with runners on base in all four games of the base, defensive choices under pressure, tournament. etc. • Verity Long-Droppert – Worked hard in • Decision-making in game situations, the batters box to show consistent notably with runners on base improvement over the lead up camp and • Ability to adapt – players playing in then throughout the tournament. different teams, with different coaches in • Rachel Lack – pinch hit home run in the a different environment. An opportunity bronze medal game against Chinese for players to be exposed to different Taipei that locked in the Victory and a situations and adapt on the go. podium finish. • Exposure to ‘quickness’ of the game – 2019 Asia Pacific Cup runners on base every inning, things 31 January-3 February 2019 move quickly, no warm-up for pitchers, Result – Second following regular fixtures, pitchers nowhere to hide defeated by China in Semi Final Result (Aus A) – Sixth

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• Opportunity to see coaches in a new • Layton Reid (Qld debuted for the Aussie environment, making decisions, and Steelers at 2019 WBSC World adapting to a different style of play Championship (Player #127) • Opportunity to scout opposition players Player Milestones from Chinese Taipei Women Player debuts • Jade Wall (NSW) – 50 Games @ 2018 Women Women’s World Championship • Madeline Cameron (SA) debuted for the • Leigh Godfrey (WA) – 150 Games @ 2018 Aussie Spirit at the 2018 Japan Cup Women’s World Championship (Player #286) • Clare Warwick (ACT) – 200 Games @ • Shannon Keevers (NSW) debuted for the 2018 Women’s World Championship Aussie Spirit at the 2018 Japan Cup • Carmelle Sorensen (Qld) – 50 Games @ (Player #287) 2018 Women’s World Championship • Tahli Moore (NSW) debuted for the • Stacey Porter (NSW) – 430 Games @ Travelodge Aussie Spirit at the 2019 APC 2019 Asia Pacific Cup

(Player #288) Men Men • James Todhunter – 50 Games @ 2019 • Callum Beashel (NSW) debuted for the Zeister Slot Tournament Aussie Steelers at 2019 WBSC World • Nick Norton – 50 Games @ 2019 Men’s Championship (Player #125) World Championship • James Purcell (Qld) debuted for the Aussie Steelers at 2019 WBSC World Championship (Player #126)

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Setting up our network 2019 NPF season, Mel headed up the battery program at the Open Women’s Camp in March There are significant relationships that we are not (AIS) and two Battery Camps (Qld and NSW) in only continuing to establish, but are committed April and May. to supporting: National Physiotherapy Coordinator Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Qld based physio, and current member of the We continued to grow our relationship with the Open Women’s Physiotherapy Panel Kathy QAS, committing to improved communication Mitchell (Queensland Academy of Sport) was and collaboration, and focusing on processes added to the national network as the across the board. QAS has been supportive of Physiotherapy Coordinator in early 2019. A long- the Open Women’s Program and where possible, time servant to the game as a player at an elite assisted with providing access to facilities, level, Kathy has significant experience not only equipment and staff. working in softball, but a variety of sports.

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Performance Support We continued our growing relationship with One of our focus areas was to provide support NSWIS, which saw an increase in staffing and for the players across the country. A real resource allocations. Not only did Kerrie Porter commitment to the performance support take on the part-time DTE coach role, we also network saw coaches and staff from all states appointed a part-time Physiotherapist, Paula engage with Softball Australia in a bid to learn Peralta, and Strength and Conditioning Coach more about expectations and requirements in Jason Howell. In addition, we were able to bring specific areas. Additional staff were added on Melanie Roche in a part-time Battery (voluntary and part-time) in a number of states in Coaching role. order to ensure all athletes were able to receive the support necessary to achieve high National Strength and Conditioning Coordinator performance outcomes. NSW based Strength and Conditioning Coach Jason Howell (NSWIS) was added to the national Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement (AWE) network as the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Coordinator in late 2018, updating our Open Dr Deidre Anderson was added to the national Women’s Program benchmark and testing network at the conclusion of the 2018 World protocols and setting up the Periodisation Championship. Due to additional AIS funds Calendar (and battery-specific periodisation provided for a part-time AWE position, Deidre calendar). came into the program on a more consistent basis not only to continue her support of the National Battery Coordinator playing group, but also in a bid to provide After joining the NSWIS team as a part-time support for the new High Performance Manager Battery Coach, Melanie Roche was added to the and new Open Women’s Head Coach as the national network as the National Battery program was reviewed and restructured. Coordinator in early 2019. Focusing heavily on preparation of our pitchers and catchers for the

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Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Scholarship Athletes We utilised the AIS for facility use for our We had athletes involved with ACT Academy of Conference in November 2018, along with Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport, NSWIS hosting both Open Women’s and Open Men’s and Western Australia Institute of Sport during Camps during the year. The AIS also provided 2018/19. The current Squad of 30 are scholarship ongoing support outside of camps through areas athletes. The ongoing support they receive in such as recovery equipment, recovery resources, their state-based Institute/Academy programs nutrition, Athlete Management System (AMS) provides a fantastic support and base for our assistance, etc. National Program.

Other important areas Direct Athlete Investment Support (dAIS) Funding Our athletes were eligible for dAIS funding on In addition to preparing for qualification to the two occasions to assist them as they trained 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the following throughout the year. positive outcomes have occurred: Athlete Management System (AMS) Open Women Training Camp We again committed to AMS, utilising the AIS A three-day camp was held at the AIS in March experts to edit and adjust our forms in order to 2019. The camp not only included all Australian- capture all information that we believe is based players (we were missing US college important for forward planning. athletes), it also saw a number of important staff from the Open Women’s Program come together Dropbox Video to see the girls in one place at one time. We With the help of Tony Mackie (NSW), Claire utilised the resources on site at the AIS and ran Kenneally-Dabrowski and other local and state- several player seminars in preparation for the based video analysts, we set up Dropbox folders NPF season and the Olympic Qualifier. to share with our players for video analysis purposes. The folders are a great way to access Open Women Battery Program video on multiple devices and means that we With the addition of Melanie Roche as the don’t always have to rely on hard drives when Battery Coordinator, we facilitated two Battery travelling. Camps in April and May for our pitchers and catchers. Not only did we have all Australian- HP Conference based pitchers and catchers in attendance, we As noted above, a HP Conference was held in opened the camps up to additional players from November 2018 in order to bring together key development teams (U15, U17, U19), and invited staff from states. Coaches and other staff working Open Women’s players who sat outside the closely with the current playing group were Squad. We also engaged sports scientists from invited and were able to hear from speakers and WA and Qld to assist with Rapsodo pitching data have discussions with new Head Coach Laing collection and analysis. Harrow and High Performance Manager Simone Wearne.

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Simone Wearne High Performance Manager

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Andrew Kirkpatrick, Aussie Steelers v USA

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Aussie Diamonds Pathways Program

The Softball Australia Aussie Diamonds Pathways meetings, and be involved in all team duties. Program (ADP) has taken off this year with 10 These tours are an ideal opportunity for coaches teams competing internationally. and team managers to gain experience and development opportunities. In addition, they U14, U17 and U19 teams toured Japan, New work closely with our young players and Zealand and the United States, with an aim to contribute to their future development for junior prepare an U19 Women’s team set to compete at and senior Australian team programs. the World Cup in August 2019 and an U18 Men’s team for the World Cup in February 2020. A commitment by Softball Australia through the ADP program to identify talent early, providing Softball Australia views the international playing regular high-quality competition, exposure to and training opportunities as crucial pathways to elite game play and international training ensure the playing stocks remain competitive at opportunities will only improve our player depth. the highest level of the game. The ADP program will ensure this by providing identified players an Softball Australia will continue its established and opportunity to train, play and compete in an successful relationship with Sportslink environment at a level far higher than they International to ensure the ADP program is experience in Australia. highly regarded. Due to the success of the tours, we will select 2020 Aussie Diamonds squads Training and playing in an international following the 2020 Regional and National environment, under experienced and developing Championships commencing across the country coaches against quality opposition is providing in December 2019 and January 2020. each athlete with improved knowledge and skills of the game. The program has a commitment to We thank GameClothing for their support in developing not only players, but also coaches. providing uniform kits and supporter packs for all Coaches selected for the ADP program are tours. required to, facilitate practise sessions, team

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Tours

Tokyo, Japan 3 October 2018, 13-day tour

An U19 Australian Development Squad, in preparation for the 2019 U19 World Championship, and an U16 ‘expression of interest’ Aussie Diamonds team toured Japan in October 2018, playing warm-up matches before competing in the National Women’s High School Softball Tournament in Chiba.

Following the tournament, athletes were given a two-day sightseeing break in Tokyo, immersing them in Japan’s culture with food and shopping, and a trip to the happiest place on earth, Disneyland.

Teams returned to the softball field after their sightseeing break to contest games against local team Vond’s Ichihara. Both teams attended and experienced several matches in the Japan Softball League, Ota City Stadium and met Aussie Spirit captain Stacey Porter and pitchers Kaia Parnaby (SG Holdings Sagawa) and Ellen Roberts (Ogaki Minamo). Watching the game between SG Holdings and Ogaki Minamo provided the group an opportunity to see our Aussies go head-to-head on the diamond.

This tour, being the first on the calendar, provided an opportunity to review the program from travel and accommodation to the number of games and competitions played. We will continue to review and learn from each tour.

Teams 1 U16 Girls’ team – expression of interest – 15 players 1 U19 Girls’ team – selected – 15 players

Officials 5 staff – 1 tour coordinator

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Auckland, New Zealand

15 April 2019, 9-day tour

U14 Boys’ team

Six Aussie Diamonds Pathway Squads toured New Zealand in April, playing warm-up matches before competing in the Auckland Easter Classic Tournament, North Harbour. Squads were selected from the 2019 Summer of Softball Regional and National Championships in January 2019.

The squads were put through two days of training and warm-up games against Wakato and Western Bay of Plenty at Tom Voyle Park and a four-day tournament at the North Harbour Softball complex.

Athletes were given a day of sightseeing visiting the Hobbiton movie set, the location where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were filmed.

Tour costs were kept to a minimum with accommodation (athletes and staff) at the Auckland YMCA where staff could supervise all 96 athletes.

Teams 2 U14 Boys’ teams - 16 players per team Gold team placed 1st | Green team placed 4th

2 U14 Girls’ teams - 15 players per team Green team placed 1st | Gold team placed 2nd

2 U17 Boys’ teams -15 players per team Green team placed equal 3rd Gold team placed equal 3rd

Officials 20 staff, 2 tour coordinators

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Mankato, Minneapolis USA 28 June 2019, 4-day tour

Australia’s best U17 softball players embarked on the journey of a lifetime when they travelled to Mankato, USA.

The U17 Squad, in preparation for the 2020 U18 World Championship, was divided into two teams, playing warm-up matches prior to competing in the Peppers Classic Tournament at Caswell Park, Mankato.

This tour was by far the most successful. Players were accommodated on a college campus, which provided an opportunity to experience college life along with international competition. The Mankato Peppers Girls’ Softball Association were terrific to work with, and Mankato offered a “no distraction” environment. Being allowed the opportunity to, interact with and watch the Aussie Peppers play in the National Pro Fastpitch league added so much more to the experience for our young players.

The two teams (Green and Gold) finished on top in their respective pools remaining undefeated through the opening two days. Strong play earned them a first-round bye in the finals, and it was looking like an all Australian grand final until the Gold team were defeated in the preliminary final by SE Flyers. The Green team advanced with a 4-3 win over Lakeshore Rise and finished tournament winners defeating SE Flyers in the final.

Teams 2 U17 Girls’ teams – 15 players per team Green team places 1st | Gold team placed 3rd

Officials 5 staff and 1 tour coordinator

Brooke Wilkins Project Coordinator

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MEMBERSHIP

As at 30 June, Softball Australia’s membership totalled 25,477, reflecting a 5% decline from the previous year. This continued decline in membership over at least a 15-year period highlights the urgent need to put measures in place to rectify this worrying trend.

ACT NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA TOTAL

1,158 8,214 251 6,817 2,329 511 2,819 3,378 25,477

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Strike Out Stroke

The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP (Australian Treasurer), Vivienne Harkness, President Strike out Stroke and David Pryles, CEO Softball Australia

Softball Australia proudly partnered with Strike out Stroke, a new national campaign to enhance awareness and promote early recognition of the signs and symptoms of stroke and B.E.F.A.S.T. for treatment.

The program was launched at Kew Primary School in Melbourne on World Stroke Day by The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP (Australian Treasurer) and Softball Australia representatives.

In the first year of the program, a total of 2,353 primary school students from 18 schools across four states enjoyed the benefits of this great initiative.

Softball-themed games – incorporating school curriculum requirements – promote awareness of the signs of stroke to school children, while at the same time encouraging a healthy lifestyle. The program is free to primary schools and resources are available on the Strike out Stroke website.

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Participation

Softball Batter Up

5,875 children under 12 (Sub-Junior) participated in the modified versions of softball all around Australia.

The program is supported by the Softball Batter Up website, which saw 376 new users register and gain access to the extensive resources, including game videos and session planners available to deliver softball. Sporting Schools

14,900 participants took part in the Softball Batter Up program through Sporting Schools. The reporting year (terms 3 and 4 in 2018 and terms 1 and 2 in 2019) saw a total of 298 programs delivered nationally.

The Sporting Schools Program continues to provide a great opportunity for Clubs to engage with local schools and connect through softball. It provides a great opportunity to promote the sport to what is considered our core market, primary school children. Fully Loaded Softball

Launched in February, Fully Loaded Softball provides a fast, exciting format of the game. Clubs and Associations are starting to offer this format to re-energise existing members and attract new members to the game. Social 7s

We saw a tremendous uplift in Social 7s numbers with an increase of 54% increase in participation year on year. Of all participants who played Social 7s, 39% (827 of 2,115) were new members.

The program was delivered in seven out of eight states, with the larges participated events as follows:

• 230 participants: Western Bulldogs Community Foundation CALDPlay Social 7s Gala tournament Werribee (Vic) • 109 participants: ACT Belong Commit Belong Rockingham City and Districts (WA) • 105 participants: West Pilbara Social 7s (WA) • 94 participants: Mount Isa Social 7s (Qld) • 374 participants: multiple programs conducted by Softball ACT • 220 participants: two Bacardi Day events in NSW and one in WA

Of an overall total of 2,115 participants:

• 639 participants were current playing members • 649 participants took part in programs where no individual data was obtained • 827 registered participants not already in the database, these are classed as “new members” to the sport

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The additional members generated through the Social 7s program contributed to approximately 3% of the membership total. Of the new members 55% were female, 45% were male.

With the growth in Social 7s numbers, there is mounting evidence that the simplified and social form of the game is appealing to a wide audience. With targeted programs for disadvantaged groups considered successful and the style of game attractive to both women and men, Clubs and Associations should certainly consider it as a viable option to the more traditional format of the game.

New Members Playing Social 7s State Female Male Grand Total ACT 110 86 196 NSW 27 35 62 NT 34 9 43 Qld 121 86 207 Tas 48 45 93 Vic 115 111 226 WA 0 0 0 Total 455 372 827

Ben Utting Sport Development Manager

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MEMBER RECOGNITION

Softball Australia proudly acknowledge Life Members, Hall of Fame inductees and Service Award recipients.

2018 Softball Australia Life Debbie Grove (Vic), Ngaire Huston (Qld) Members

2018 Softball Australia Hall of Fame Jodie Bowering (Qld), Neal Delpero (WA), Jeff Inductees Goolagong (ACT)

2018 Softball Australia Service Qld Robyn Barnwell, Cameron Cox, Mitchell Crawford, Awards Kylie Crouch, Nicki Endicott-Davies, Katrina Gierke, Leila Higgins, Andrea House, Tracey Lavis, Janelle Mills, Paul McBain, David McDonald, Jenny Mould, Kerrie Simpson, Liahni Truscott, Mandy White, Michelle Writz

Vic David Addlem, Bernie Cannon, Ray Carter, Christine Clinnick, Tania Hoare, Jenny Joynson, Nigel Mackey, Helen Short, Andrea Wilson-Mansfield

WA Melissa Robertson, Peter Tilley

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SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Debbie Grove (Vic)

Debbie Grove has been an active umpire for over 30 years, from the grassroots to the international stage. Whilst she has excelled with the Australian Umpiring ranks personally, her real service has been to the national umpiring program, with a focus on the Development portfolio.

Debbie’s contribution has been significant, joining the National Umpiring Committee in 2007. She has continued to provide exceptional service to our sport over an extended period.

Training and development are the cornerstones of any program, from writing and implementing policies and procedures, to delivering training courses. The impact of such is significant as it shapes the entire organisation from the novice to the international umpire.

Debbie’s 11 years of service to the National Umpiring Committee has been influential in setting and maintaining the standards of the organisation. From the board room to the ballpark, Debbie has impacted the program. In addition to all her governance responsibilities, Debbie continues to take on the active roles of Tournament Chief Umpire and assessor.

This makes her accessible to the umpiring community at all levels. A respected umpire and mentor, Debbie’s ability to transition between administrator and teacher seem effortless. She is highly respected by players, coaches and officials and is valued as both a friend and mentor by her colleagues.

Along with this incredibly high level of commitment and dedication to service, Debbie has also excelled as an on-diamond umpire. With over 25 international appointments, including five ISF World Championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, her 16 years on the international stage saw her inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 2013.

When it comes to contributors to the National Umpiring Program both past and present, few people stand beside Debbie. Her commitment over an extended period has been significant and has impacted the program with distinction. She is an asset to the Australian National Umpiring Program. AWARDS

2013 Softball Australia Hall of Fame 2018 Softball Australia Life Member 2018 Softball Victoria Life Member 2007 Softball Australia Umpire of the Year 2003 Softball Australia Umpire of the Year

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TOURNAMENTS

1997 Tour of New Zealand 2006 XI Women’s Softball World 1999 Canada Cup Championship - Beijing, China 1999 Qantas International Challenge 2007 VIII Junior Women’s Softball World 2000 Brisbane International Challenge Championship – Enschede, Netherlands 2000 Sydney International Challenge 2008 Beijing Olympic Games 2000 Tri Nations Challenge 2008 Tour of Canada 2001 VI Junior Men’s Softball World 2008 International Challenge Championship – Blacktown, Australia 2010 New Zealand Test Series 2001 Trans-Tasman Challenge 2011 Men’s World Championship Qualifier, 2002 Japan tour of Australia Hawker, ACT 2002 South Pacific Classic 2012 XII Women’s Softball World 2003 VII Junior Women’s Softball World Championship - Whitehorse, Canada Championship – Nanjing, China 2012 Canadian Open Fastpitch 2003 Hobart International v Japan

Ngaire Huston (Qld)

Ngaire Huston has made a significant contribution to softball in Australia over a period of 23 years. She is a Level 6 Statistician and the current Softball Australia Chief Statistician since 2012 (6 years).

She has been a member of the National Scoring Committee since 1995 until the present day. During that time, Ngaire has also served as a member of the National Quality Assurance Committee and Manager of the Level 4 Scoring exam since 2005 (13 years).

In 2013 Ngaire was inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame having participated in Open International competition for at least six years, including at least two ISF Open World Championships. She has always demonstrated the highest personal standard of sportsmanship and integrity. AWARDS

2013 Softball Australia Hall of Fame 2018 Softball Australia Life Member TOURNAMENTS

1993 IV Junior Men’s Softball World Championship, Auckland, New Zealand 1997 V Junior Men’s Softball World Championship, St John’s, Canada X Men’s Softball World Championship, East London, South Africa Open 2004 XI Men’s Softball World Championship, Christchurch, New Zealand 29 | Page

Softball Australia Hall of Fame

Jodie Bowering (Qld)

Jodie was a member of the Australian Open Women’s team from 2007 to 2014. Player number 240, she played 175 games for the Aussie Spirit.

Jodie made the AIS Squad in 2007, which led to her selection for the Australian Open Women's team. She made her debut for Australia in 2007 at the China/Australia Challenge in her home state, Queensland, and she didn't take long to make her mark on the game, hitting a home run in her first game. After only 12 months in the AIS squad, Jodie made the 2008 Olympic team in which she won a Bronze medal.

Jodie was a dedicated athlete. She was often known to train six days a week. A natural left hander, she was well known for her ability to change a game with one swing of the bat. AWARDS

2009 Most Valuable Player, Open Women’s National Championship 2013 Most Valuable Player, Open Women’s National Championship 2013 Best Batter, Open Women’s National Championship 2018 Softball Australia Hall of Fame TOURNAMENTS

2007 Test Series v China, Brisbane 2011 Test Series v New Zealand 2007 Test Series v Italy 2011 Canada Cup, Vancouver 2007 Test Series v Netherlands 2011 USA World Cup, Oklahoma City, 2007 China Cup Oklahoma 2007 Japan Cup 2012 Test Series v New Zealand 2007 Japan Elite Challenge 2012 International Challenge Series v Japan 2008 International Challenge 2012 USA World Cup, Oklahoma City, 2008 Canada Tour Oklahoma 2008 Beijing Olympic Games 2012 Canadian Open Fastpitch 2009 Canada Cup, Vancouver 2012 XIII Women’s World Championship, 2009 USA World Cup, Oklahoma City, Whitehorse, Canada Oklahoma 2013 USA World Cup, Oklahoma City, 2009 Japan Cup Oklahoma 2010 Test Series v New Zealand 2013 Canadian Open Fastpitch 2010 Test Series v Japan 2014 XIV Women’s World Championship, 2010 XII Women’s Worlds Championship, Haarlem, Netherlands Caracas, Venezuela

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Jeff Goolagong (ACT)

Jeff Goolagong has had a long and distinguished career, representing ACT for 12 years. During that time, ACT won nine Open Men’s National Championships.

Jeff first represented Australia in 2001 at the Trans-Tasman Challenge in ACT. Player number 59, he represented the Aussie Steelers on 110 occasions.

Jeff was well known for his versatility as a shortstop/utility. There have been many highlights in his playing career, but one of his greatest achievements was being a member of the Australian Open Men’s team that won the 2009 ISF World Championship in Canada. AWARDS

2001 Aussie Steelers – Most Valuable Player (on debut) 2009 Open Men – Most Valuable Player 2009 Softball Australia Indigenous Athlete of the Year 2012 Open Men – Player of the Grand Final 2013 Open Men – Most Valuable Player and Best Batter 2018 Softball Australia Hall of Fame

TOURNAMENTS

2001 Trans-Tasman Challenge v New Zealand, 2005 Pacific Series (New Zealand) (Canberra) 2006 Commonwealth Championship 2001 Doreen Dalton Memorial (New Zealand) (Melbourne) 2001 Test Series v New Zealand (New Zealand) 2008 ISF World Championship Qualifier (New 2003 Dean Schick Memorial (New Zealand) Zealand) 2003 Tri-series New (Zealand) 2009 12th ISF World Championship (Canada) 2004 Hawker International Tri-Series 2011 ISF World Championship Qualifier 2004 11th ISF World Championship (New (Canberra) Zealand) 2013 13th ISF World Championship (New 2005 Vic Guth Tournament (New Zealand) Zealand)

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Neal Delpero (WA)

Neal Delpero had a long and distinguished career, representing Western Australia for 19 years. During that time, Western Australia won four Open Men’s National Championships.

Neil first represented Australia in 1995 in a Test Series against New Zealand. Player number 38, he represented Australia on 60 occasions.

One of the highlights of Neal’s career was claiming a win as pitcher over the New Zealand Black Sox in the 4th Test Match in the 2001 Trans Tasman Series. This was the first time the Aussie Steelers defeated New Zealand. AWARDS

1992 U19 Men – Pitching Award 1993 U19 Men – Pitching Award 1994 U19 Men – Pitching Award 2002 Open Men – Pitching Award and Most Valuable Player 2012 Open Men – Pitching Award

TOURNAMENTS

1995 New Zealand Provisional Championship 2004 Hawker International Tri-Series 1995 Test Series v New Zealand 2004 11th ISF World Championship (New 1996 Perth Shootout v Canada Zealand) 1996 9th ISF World Championship (USA) 2005 Vic Guth Tournament (New Zealand) 2001 Doreen Dalton Memorial (New Zealand) 2005 Pacific Series (New Zealand) 2002 Test Series v New Zealand 2011 World Cup Qualifier – Argentina 2003 Tri-series New (Zealand) 2014 Test Series v New Zealand

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COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

In December 2018, a full-time Marketing and Communications Manager was appointed to Softball Australia beginning in December 2018.

Since the appointment, several steps have taken place to improve the organisation’s strength in both areas.

The new role has developed to encompass social media, sponsor servicing and graphic design tasks to take huge leaps forward in the presentation of the organisation and sport in general. eDM Softball Insider eDM Softball Australia have secured a number of Consumer list Commercial Partners over the past year. In order After a review of the communications being sent to retain their support and attract new partners, by Softball Australia, the database of softball the Softball Australia EDM has been re- members has been re-uploaded with a more introduced. strategic approach. Previously known as ‘Pitch the News’ the last The eDM service (Mailchimp) has been switched eDM was sporadic and not consistent in its to a subscription model, meaning Softball messaging to members. Australia can now send unlimited EDMs and The Homeplate Ladder update, too, has been important information to softball members. sent sporadically, it is proposed to be integrated Media List into the new EDM.

Softball Australia can now send one release to Under a new design, the eDM includes: categories within the master list, categories were • National News (Aus Team Announcements, also been defined further to ensure releases International tournament news etc) aren’t being sent to irrelevant parties. • Homeplate Ladder Update This has led to an increased media presence in • Upcoming Events the busy Australian sporting landscape. • Broadcast information (stream or otherwise)

Following the launch of the inaugural Summer The regular eDM allows for another channel of Slam in 2018, the momentum has been carried communication between Softball Australia and over with mainstream print coverage during the members Asia Pacific Cup, Summer Slam tournament proper, and WBSC Men’s World Championship.

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Events Clubs and Associations facilitate a Fully Loaded Softball competition. National Championships/International Friendship Series Graphics, videos, information documents, infographics and copy were provided to Member A content plan has been established to ensure States for publication through their own each National Championship receives sufficient channels. coverage from the governing body. The collateral was shared widely by For Open Men’s and Women’s, editorial style Clubs/Associations and broader softball wraps were created daily with an official media community and reached as far as Canada, release following the grand finals. France, U.S and the United Kingdom.

These wraps, along with reports were Industry partners, WBSC, AOC and Sport communicated to SEO’s and staff for their own Australia assisted in promotion of the format use should they choose to, along with images for launch. the day. To date, all interactions have been Asia Pacific Cup & Summer Slam overwhelmingly positive. Numbers correct as at 29 March 2019, one day following launch. Earlier in January liaised with Japan Softball Association to create defending champions Totals media release, followed by Travelodge Aussie • Video Views – 29,243 Spirit and Australia A team announcements, the • Impressions – 77,134 latter resulting in coverage in The West, Courier • Engagement – 5,596 Mail and Canberra Times. • Reach – 49,082 Both tournaments provided a perfect Corporate Partnerships opportunity to begin to build a gallery of images for use throughout the year, for this reason, a The additions of a number of new Corporate professional photographer was hired by Softball Partners in the last year has led to multiple offers Australia for the entire week. The organisation and discounts for the Softball Australia now has a large library of assets for marketing community. and communications purposes. Kayo Partnership The inaugural Summer Slam saw the introduction • Have been working with Kayo Sport (Fox of Fully Loaded Softball to an international Sports streaming service, ‘Netflix’ of sport) to audience. The exciting, fast paced format create digital assets to promote Softball provided the perfect assets to promote the new Australia events AP Cup, Summer Slam and format at a grassroots level. TAB Challenge Cup streamed on Kayo. • Fully Loaded Softball Campaign Kayo provide all creative and as an incentive, $15 from every subscriber through our Softball Australia were able to compile a channels is paid to Softball Australia. comprehensive ‘Marketing Kit’ to help drive

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• Kayo offers a 14-day free trial which captured Travelodge Partnership the entire seven days of softball coverage • TFE Hotels capitalized on their Naming beginning from the AP Cup final Rights Sponsorship by leveraging Softball • This partnership comes at no cost to Softball Australia media coverage Australia, a media release will be published • Continue to offer softball community on the seven days of softball coverage once exclusive deals the Kao assets are prepared. American Tourister partnership Eastcoast Car Rentals Partnership • Eastcoast Car Rentals remain uniform • In exchange for social posts, four member sponsor of the Summer Slam and still eDMs, website promotion and logo on SAL provide their Softball Australia Member website, American Tourister has supplied 30 discount on their rentals Curio backpacks for the Aussie Spirit and Aus • Discount for Softball Australia Members A teams as well as 20 Business backpacks for staff. Sportslink International Partnership • Due to a lack of retail platform on American Tourister, Open Women Australian team • Formalised the new partnership with needs to contact American Tourister directly Sportslink International who will continue to to secure 40% discount. service the Aussie Diamonds Development • The partnership also showed how willing the Tours as well as Supporter Tours around athletes are to assist in promotion of Softball international tournaments in which Australia Australia’s partnerships with all players is competing. posting to their social media accounts with V-Insurance Partnership their supplied American Tourister product. • Contact was made with V-Insurance to see East Coast Car Rentals what opportunities exist to assist both • Major partner of Softball Australia, set to organisations benefit from new range of Summer Slam merchandise featuring their logo. Social Media • East Coast Car Rentals need to be utilised Reached 15,000 followers on Facebook more effectively to offer mutually beneficial deals to softball community. Softball Australia reached the milestone of 15,000 Soniq Partnership followers on Facebook, further strengthening the reach and influence of that channel. • Soniq joined Softball Australia prior to the Asia Pacific Cup and Summer Slam Social media remains our best tool to tournaments communicate news and updates, as well as a • They have provided exclusive discounts to valuable tool for potential and current partners. the softball community as well as donations In 2019, the decision was made to remove Junior of televisions directly to Softball Australia Spirit and Steelers pages in order to focus a larger audience to the Open Men’s and Women’s pages.

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While all traffic is generated through Softball than flooding the Softball Australia page with Australia channels, the team’s pages remain a content. valuable asset during major tournaments rather

Twitter Instagram Facebook You LinkedIn Aussie Aussie Junior Junior Tube Spirit Steelers Spirit Steelers -SUB

July 2018 3687 2650 12990 728 319 2299 1423 1116 1318

June 2019 4068 4425 15497 1273 452 2961 1608 n/a n/a

% Growth 10% 67% 19% 75% 42% 29% 13% n/a n/a

Jack Lucas Marketing and Communications Manager

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HOMEPLATE LADDER PROGRAM

Homeplate Ladder is Softball Australia’s Club and Association recognition program established to recognise Clubs and Associations for implementing best practice governance and management as well as membership growth and retention through successful recruitment and retention strategies.

The third year of the Homeplate Ladder program introduced ‘inclusion’ as an additional category to earn points.

A total of 22 Clubs and Associations achieved Homeplate status in 2018/19, eight Associations reached ‘Going for Home’ and 84 Clubs and Associations made it to ‘On Base’.

Mackay Softball Association achieved the ultimate recognition of Homeplate Status, finishing on top of the Homeplate Ladder for Associations nationally with 140 points. The Strikers Softball Club in NSW triumphed on top of the Homeplate Ladder for clubs nationally with a record 190 points.

Key highlights

Of the 22 Clubs and Associations that achieved the ultimate recognition of Homeplate Status in 2018/19, the following outcomes have been determined:

• 64% had significant growth in membership demonstrating successful recruitment strategies • 45% achieved a membership retention of 80% or greater • 95% of the Clubs and Associations completed a National Affiliation Standards Checklist and demonstrated they are meeting the minimum operating standards expected of a softball affiliate. • 95% completed a Sport Australia Club Health Check in the past three years identifying areas of their operations that they can improve • 54% have a strategic or operational plan in place that they are working towards achieving their goals and objectives • 100% are registered to Softball Australia’s dedicated online club development resource ‘Homeplate’, accessing resources, tools and templates to help them with running and growing their Club or Association • 95% had members complete an accredited course in coaching, scoring or officiating, thus ensuring their volunteers had appropriate qualifications • 54% had their volunteers complete training courses to gain knowledge and skills required to effectively perform their roles and responsibilities • 31% demonstrated inclusive practices to engage the broader community

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2018/19 Top 20 Ladder for Associations and Clubs

HOMEPLATE LADDER 2018/2019: TOP 20 ASSOCIATIONS Rank Association State Points HOMPELATE STATUS 1 MACKAY Qld 140 2 NEWCASTLE NSW 134 3 SOFTBALL FAR NORTH Qld Qld 130 4 GOLD COAST Qld 120 5 CASEY Vic 100 6 BUNBURY WA 94 7 ROCKHAMPTON Qld 94 8 CUMBERLAND NEPEAN NSW 90 9 BRISBANE Qld 89 10 FRANKSTON Vic 89 11 WAVERLEY Vic 85 12 WERRIBEE Vic 84 13 GLEN EIRA Vic 83 GOING FOR HOME 14 REDCLIFFE Qld 77 15 ROCKINGHAM CITY WA 76 16 DANDENONG Vic 70 17 CENTRAL COAST NSW 68 18 PERTH SOFTBALL LEAGUE WA 60 19 WAGGA WAGGA NSW 57 20 MACARTHUR NSW 55

* Equal points separated by membership growth %

HOMEPLATE LADDER 2018/2019: TOP 20 CLUBS Rank Club Association State Total HOMPELATE STATUS 1 STRIKERS NEWCASTLE NSW 190 2 WOLVES NEWCASTLE NSW 142 3 CHEETAHS NORTHERN DISTRICT Vic 112 4 LILYDALE EJAYS KNOX Vic 108 5 MAITLAND CITY NEWCASTLE NSW 104 6 COCKBURN COUGARS ROCKINGHAM WA 101 7 CASTLE HILL CUMBERLAND NEPEAN NSW 99 8 WAHROONGA NORTH SHORE NSW 90 9 HAWKS FASTPITCH WERRIBEE Vic 89 ON BASE 10 ACROSS THE WAVES BUNDABERG Qld 50 11 BLUE JAYS MACARTHUR NSW 50 12 KALAMUNDA WA 50 13 SOUTHERN KNIGHTS DANDENONG Vic 50 14 EVATT EAGLES NORTHSIDE JUNIOR ACT 50 15 PANTHERS BRISBANE Qld 50 16 REDSOX SOFTBALL FAR NORTH Qld Qld 50 17 BROTHERS UNITED BUNDABERG Qld 45 18 HURRICANES NORTHSIDE JUNIOR ACT 45 19 SOUTH SLUGGERS BUNDABERG Qld 45 20 CITY RAIDERS WERRIBEE Vic 45 * Equal points separated by membership growth %

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SOFTBALL FOR ALL

Softball Australia continues to demonstrate its Strike Out Barriers to sport through commitment to ensure that softball is a safe, Softball welcoming, inclusive and accessible sport for The Victorian Government funded Strike Out people of all ages, cultures, race, religion, Barriers to Sport through Softball Project made gender, abilities, sexual preferences, orientation significant progress in the second year of the and identity at all levels through Australia. program with the development of new To highlight this, Softball Australia has partnerships and initiatives further engaging developed a National Inclusion Strategy to people from migrant and refugee backgrounds imbed inclusion into the core business of the into sport through softball. The key outcomes sport at all levels. The goal is to create a positive and exceptional highlights to date have been sporting culture that embraces diversity and participants involved in the program developing effectively includes anyone who wants to take and emerging into leaders, delivering softball to part. Inclusion is reliant upon the sporting a broader audience within their community. environment having positive attitudes, effective communication and appropriate access.

This is demonstrated by two women from this achievement, they were nominated and Dandenong, Marzia Haideri and Nasrin selected to participate in the Centre Nabizada. After successfully completing their Multicultural Youth’s (CMY) Game Changer Level 1 Softball Coaching Accreditation, they Sport Leadership program for women. As part assisted in the delivery of a four week Sporting of this, the two young women of Afghanistan Schools Program at Emmerson School in heritage organised a Social 7s Come and Try Dandenong teaching children with an Day and Information Session in conjunction with intellectual disability the basic skills of softball, the Dandenong Softball Association to which has allowed them to gain valuable encourage other women from migrant and experience in coaching, communication, refugee backgrounds to get involved in sport. organisation, teamwork and overall personal Over 20 women attended the day which is likely and professional development. In recognition of to lead to a six week Social 7s competition. 39 | Page

Credit: Western Bulldogs Community Foundation

Another significant achievement has been the majority would like to continue playing as well new partnership developed with the Western as introduce their family and friends to the Bulldogs Community Foundation with the sport. In term four, a similar program was Western Bulldogs CALDplay sports program delivered with migrant and refugee children as resulting in softball being delivered as part of part of the Western Bulldogs CALDplay Junior the program for the first time and connecting sports program involving 120 primary school softball with a new cohort of young people from aged students from English Language Schools migrant and refugee backgrounds. The program and 30 high school students, culminating in a T- involved over 200 people from multiple English ball/Social 7s tournament held at Werribee Language Centres in the Western Region. Softball Association. Softball Australia trained a number of Western Overall the Strike Out Barriers to Sport through Bulldogs staff and volunteers through the Softball project in year two has resulted in 45 Softball Community Coaching Course with the participants completing a Softball Community skills to deliver softball to the participants. After Coaching Course and Level 1 Coaching Course four weeks of practical softball skills, all the with three participants gaining a Level 1 Softball centres united on the fifth week at the Werribee Coaching Accreditation and over 350 Softball Association to challenge each other in a participants engaged in softball for the first Social 7s Softball Gala tournament involving 20 time. All participants now have: teams, each representing their centre. • Evaluation at the end of the program confirmed a greater knowledge and interest in that the young people loved softball and the softball which they can share with other 40 | Page

community members, friends and activity as part of the practical coaching family course. • a stronger connection with their local The program will expand into two new locations softball Association; (Werribee Softball replicating the successful elements of the Association or Dandenong Softball project and introduce new migrant and refugee Association). communities to softball whilst continuing to • a greater awareness of the importance build on existing relationships and programs of physical activity and health benefits developed in Wyndham and Dandenong. The of sport City of Casey and Brimbank are the two new • improved their English language skills locations planned for years three and four. In by participating in the practical readiness, new partnerships have been coaching courses. established with the Casey Softball Association, • gained experience in leadership and Sunshine Softball Association and City of Casey teamwork by having to work within a with others in development group to develop and deliver a softball First Wheelchair Softball Competition in Australia launched

Softball Australia launched the inaugural The competition, held in the City of Casey in Wheelchair Softball Competition demonstrating Victoria at Casey Stadium, was developed the sport’s commitment to providing an following successful come and try days. The inclusive sport for people of all ages, culture, inaugural season of the competition involved gender and ability throughout the country and four teams and grew to six teams in the second paving the way for the development of similar season. Julie’s Alpacas took out the inaugural programs throughout Australia. season of the competition and Cranny Cats triumphed in season two.

A number of other organisations have played a key role in the competition including Disability Sport and Recreation Victoria, Casey stadium, City of Casey, AAA Play, Softball Victoria, Casey Softball Association and the Narre Warren Softball Club as well as all teams, players and supporters that have taken part.

The inclusive competition, held on a basketball court, provides an opportunity for people with a disability to participate in softball with able bodied participants on a level playing field. The competition has brought together amazing people with inspiring stories. Roy Davie, an avid Roy Davie (credit: barendphotos.com) baseball player prior to his injury said “Baseball

has always been a big part of my life and I really missed being able to play a sport that I love. I

41 | Page saw the new wheelchair softball competition as demonstrate the need for programs such as the a way to get back onto the field and even Indigenous Softball Program to continue as well though softball is a little different from baseball, as the benefits to attract support from funding I registered my own team and got a few friends bodies and sponsors. together and have played in both seasons.”

City of Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon helped launch the competition. “I’m very proud not only as Mayor of the City of Casey but also as an advocate for people with a disability and their carers,” said Cr Stapledon. “The enthusiasm, that’s what I love, what we’re trying to do is provide health and wellbeing outcomes for all of our community and that includes people who are in wheelchairs or have mobility issues, people with autism, mental health issues and people who are able-bodied.”

The competition has also inspired the development of similar Wheelchair Softball initiatives in other States including NSW and NT and more a planned in the future. Credit: Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Indigenous Softball Program

The Indigenous Softball Program uses softball as Early findings from a small sample size taken a vehicle to improve health and well-being from participants involved in the Far North West outcomes in targeted Indigenous communities. Sports League in South Australia indicate the It provides opportunities for Indigenous people following. of all ages and abilities to become involved in • 93% of participants expressed a high sport and recreation through softball, increasing level of enjoyment for the game the social connections within communities and • 93% of participants expressed a high allowing them to develop the skills required to level of support for softball from the organise and manage sustainable softball community and elders programs. • 77% of participants reported that their A total of 2,200 Indigenous participants were health and wellbeing had improved involved in over 50 activities held. through their involvement in softball Softball Australia has commenced research into the impact softball has within Indigenous Tim Hatzi communities and people involved in sport on Club and Community Development Coordinator the lands. The research will help the sport

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TECHNICAL

Umpiring

The National Umpiring Program (NUP) has had a positive year with all National Umpire in Chiefs remaining in leadership roles. With this continuity, the program has delivered some outstanding results, especially servicing international and national events.

Collectively, the NUP covered an outstanding 362 games, 1,215 appointments by a total of 71 on field umpires and six dedicated off field umpires across 28 playing days in January 2019. Two umpires attended five tournaments, six umpires attend four tournaments and six umpires attended three tournaments. Without the continued commitment of all umpires throughout the Summer of Softball our program would not be as successful as it is.

National Committee Assisting staff NUIC WBSC-SD Elect Leigh Evans Technical Darrell Shephard, Jason Carter UIC Communications Scott Rindfleish Communications Richard Barrow, Kristina Travers NUIC Development Debbie Grove Development Ron Houison, Chris Trengove NUIC Operations Kyira Cox NUIC Technical Leigh Evans

Awards

Vivienne Triplett Umpire of the Year Award was awarded to David Casey (Qld)

Accreditation and professional development

Manuals

• Levels 1,2,3 and 4 Manuals have been reviewed for currency.

In Progress

• Levels 5 and 6 draft Manuals has been completed and are under final review (due for release end August) • Level 2 Presenters Manual

Future Projects

• Train the trainer Manual • Assessors test in the Assessors Manual

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Technical Bulletins, Memos, Policies

• Bat compression testing update, Pitching Points of emphasis, Metal Cleats for U18 Elite and Clarification of incidental contact by runner were the four technical bulletins released and updated in the last year. • The re-formatted Rule Book for 2018 – 2021 was released. The National Umpiring Committee provided recommendations and proof reading for the 2016/2018 Australian Championship rules including issuing memos.

National accreditation achieved Level 5 accreditation Level 6 accreditation Talia McDonald (Vic) David Addlem (Vic) Jessica Rook (NSW) Dylan Murdoch (NSW) Kerry Franklin (Vic) – Recertification

2019 WBSC Umpire Certification Seminar

WBSC Umpire Certification Seminar was held in Blacktown NSW at the combined U19 Men’s and Women’s National Championships 20-26 January. Mr Bob Stanton WBSC Director of Umpires and Mr. Wayne Saunders Regional Umpire Coordinator – Oceania conducted the Seminar and assessed candidates throughout the tournaments.

The following umpires attended the Seminar from Australia and New Zealand:

NSW Andrew Compton, James English, Krissi Travers Qld Dale Kaimoana, Graeme Love SA Steve Wallace-Yarrow Vic Richard Dodds, Chris Trengove New Zealand Rikki Thompson, Brydon Wells, Andrew McManus

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Successful certified umpires: Andrew Compton, James English, Graeme Love, Rikki Thompson, Brydon Wells and Andrew McManus from New Zealand.

Appointments

International

The NUP continues to be held in high regard on the international scene, with umpires appointed to WBSC-SD World Championships and major international competitions at home and abroad, including:

XVI Women’s World Softball Championship, Chiba, Jason Carter (Vic), Kyira Cox (NSW) Japan XII Junior Men’s World Championship, Prince Albert, Trevor Murphy (Vic) Canada Asia Pacific Cup, Blacktown, NSW, Australia Andrew Rindfleish – TCU (NSW) Claire Austring (NSW), Andrew Birks (NSW), David Casey (Qld), Kyira Cox (NSW), Richard Dodds (Vic), James English (NSW), Leanne Gearside (NSW), Amanda Housion (NSW),Trevor Murphy (Vic), Scott Rindfleish (NSW), Darrell Shephard(NSW),Kristina Travers (NSW), James Townsend (NSW), Steve Wallace-Yarrow (SA) National

The following umpires were appointed to national championships:

Championship Appointments Open Women’s National Tournament Chief Umpire: Debbie Grove (Vic) Softball Championship Crew – David Addlem (Vic), Richard Dodds (Vic), James English (NSW), Kerry Franklin (Vic), Amanda Houison - Assessor (NSW), Norelle Thomas (Qld), Dale Kaimoana (Qld), Dylan Murdoch (NSW), James Townsend (NSW), Jesse Smith - Assessor (NSW), Kristina Travers (NSW), Stephen Wallace-Yarrow (SA) U15 Girl’s Regional Softball Championship Tournament Chief Umpire: Ron Housion (NSW)

Crew – Angela Broadbent (Vic), Steven Durrington (Qld), Nicole Findlay (Qld), Steven Gunter (WA), Bart Lethlean (WA), Glenn McManus (WA-PT), Michael Morse (Vic), Trevor Murphy – Assessor (Vic), Jayne Pleysier (WA), Greg Rusack (SA), Jason Turner (NSW), Cliff Warner (WA)

U17 Boy’s and Girl’s Tournament Chief Umpire: Kyira Cox (NSW) National Softball Championships Crew – Danielle Bellchambers (Qld), Michael Bendall (SA), Andrew Birks (NSW), Ian Gray (SA), Joel Grimes (NSW), James Harries (Qld), Janelle Hicks (Qld), Lucy James (Vic), Kylie Knight (Qld), Claire Lack (Qld), Neville Lawrance -Assessor (SA), Talia McDonald (Vic), Shane McIntosh (NSW), Jamie McLean (WA), George Norrish (NSW), Darryl Pearce (WA), Andrew Rindfleish -Assessor (NSW), Jessica Rooke (NSW), Peter Samuels (Vic), Kevin Tannebring -Assessor (SA), Ron Trow (Qld)

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Championship Appointments

Open Men’s National Tournament Chief Umpire: Darren Sibraa (Qld) Softball Championship Crew – Claire Austring (NSW), Jason Carter (Vic), David Casey (Qld), Kyira Cox (NSW-PT), Warren Duff (WA), Leanne Gearside (NSW), Debbie Grove - Assessor (Vic), Damien McCauley (SA), Trevor Murphy (Vic), Scott Rindfleish - Assessor (NSW), Jonas Kristensen (Europe)

U15 Boy’s Regional Tournament Chief Umpire: Kevin Tannebring (SA) Softball Championship Crew – Richard Barrow - Assessor (Vic), Michael Bendall (SA), Corey Hall (NSW), Jamie McLean (WA), Michael Morse (Vic), Angela Post (Tas), Leith Roberts (ACT), Rhonda Rowe (Vic), Tobias Sadler (Vic), Jason Turner (NSW), Paul Wilkie (WA), Kieren Wright (ACT)

U19 Men’s and Women’s Tournament Chief Umpire: Leigh Evans (Vic) National Softball Championships Crew – Claire Austring (NSW), Andrew Birks (NSW-PT), Andrew Compton (NSW), Kyira Cox - Assessor (NSW), Richard Dodds (Vic), James English (NSW), Leanne Gearside (NSW), Jay Gibson (NSW), Debbie Grove - Assessor (Vic), Amanda Houison (NSW-PT), Dale Kaimoana (Qld), Graeme Love (Qld), Trevor Murphy (Vic), Jessica Rooke (NSW), James Townsend (NSW), Kristina Travers (NSW), Chris Trengove (Vic), Stephen Wallace-Yarrow (SA), Alan Walsh (Qld), Andrew McManus (NZ), Rikki Thompson (NZ), Brydon Wells (NZ), Laura MacMillian (Canada)

U23 Women’s and Tournament Chief Umpire: Andrew Rindfleish (NSW) Men’s National Softball Championships (July Crew – David Addlem (Vic), Claire Austring (NSW), Richard Barrow (Vic), Andrew 2018) Birks (NSW), David Casey (Qld), Richard Dodds (Vic), Warren Duff - Assessor (WA), James English (NSW), Dale Kaimoana (Qld), Damian McCauley (SA), Scott Rindfleish - Assessor (NSW), Norelle Thomas (Qld), Kristina Travers (NSW), Ron Trow (Qld), Steve Wallace-Yarrow (SA), Alan Walsh (Qld)

International Friendship Tournament Chief Umpire: Darren Sibraa (Qld) Series (July 2018) Crew – Danielle Bellchambers (Qld-PT), Michael Bendall (SA), David Casey – Assessor (Qld), Warren Duff – Assessor (WA), Nicole Findlay (Qld), Claire Lack (Qld-PT), Jamie McLean (WA), Tamara Muller (Qld-PT), Darryl Pearce (WA), Angela Post (Tas), Aaron Robertson (Qld), Greg Rusack (SA), Peter Samuels (Vic), Norelle Thomas (Qld-PT), Ron Trow (Qld-PT), Jason Turner (NSW), Daryl Vercoe (Tas), Mark Wareham (WA), Cliff Warner (WA)

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Development

The Development Stream is continuing the upgrades of all Participant and Presenter Manuals and the coordinating of the Australian Umpire Development Squad and the WBSC squad members. Australian Umpire Development Squad 2019-2023

ACT Mark Gallagher NSW Claire Austring, Andrew Birks, Jessica Rooke Qld Janelle Hicks SA Steve Wallace Yarrow Vic Stuart Tyler, Talia McDonald WA Darryl Pearce

2018-2019 National Leadership Groups

At the 2018 National Championships, the NUP trialled the use of development squad members to present and run mini clinics together with short lessons. These were both planned and unplanned with the idea to develop umpires’ abilities to deliver sessions taking them out of their comfort zone. The clinics were a success and continued at the 2019 National Championships with umpires and management crews focusing on the top 10 most incorrect umpiring mechanics or positions on the diamond, rules, review of the day on the diamond, practising feedback from assessing umpires and subjects selected by the TCU.

Follow up after Championships

At the completion the 2019 National Championships, the NUP reviewed all feedback, umpires were sent their feedback to review and complete a development plan before applying for future national appointments. Umpires to follow up with their mentors to make improvements to their umpiring for 2020 Nationals.

Technology

App development for the Flip Cards that complement the Community Umpire program Manual and the Coloured Shirt Program is in its final stages. The app will be launched by the end of August 2019. Advertising material for promoting the Community Umpire Program has been completed to promote the program to Member States and schools, etc.

Technical

National Rules Assessment

The NUC delivered the Playing Rules knowledge assessment online from 20-28 April. An open book style, the assessment creates flexibility and availability to everyone not just umpires.

States and local Associations were sent requests to register and advise of the new dates, unfortunately requests were still coming in even during and after the completion date. The dissemination of information by the relevant bodies to individuals still needs improvement to grow umpires to service the sport.

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The Basic Rules Assessment continues to be available online, all year round. The portal is set up through the umpires page to electronically register.

Nationally, 220 people sat the 2018 National Open Rules Assessment. The average pass mark was 84% across all levels. For levels 4–8 an average pass mark of 90%.

ACT 8 people sat the assessment NSW 76 people sat the assessment NT 1 people sat the assessment Qld 96 people sat the assessment SA 19 people sat the assessment Tas 3 people sat the assessment Vic 41 people sat the assessment WA 19 people sat the assessment

Rules Assessment Analysis

443 people sat the assessment across both forms Open and Basic.

Communication

The National Umpiring Committee Communications team has proudly shared the many umpiring successes, news and announcements on our umpiring media channels. The collaboration between the states with the Committee has allowed the grassroots news to be shared and enjoyed by our national and international umpiring friends. One of our key priorities is to engage with our members and this year the reach, engagements and support of our national community of umpires has been wider and stronger than ever.

The NUP continues to gradually shift our communications to social media with the opportunity for umpires to engage with the content, and actively participate in the news dialogue. On Facebook, this year, we have reached record numbers of engagement, sharing and responses. It is fantastic to see states and umpiring associations setting up social media channels to share the national news. Thank you to all the SDUs and communications staff for your great support.

Blues News has also evolved in design and delivery method, now using an email marketing approach to make it faster and easier for our readers to access umpiring news on their mobile devices and PCs, with active links, rich media and shorter, sharper news pieces. The Blues News strategy is closely linked into our website; that remains the online home of our program, with all information up to date and regularly refreshed for our umpires.

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Acknowledgements

The National program would not be as successful as it is without the continued support of all umpires, administrators and supports from grassroots to international umpires. Many people provide assistance and contribute to our program through writing development manuals, rules assessments, communications and much more.

We would like to thank, Richard Barrow, Kristina Travers (Communication), Ron Houison, Chris Trengove (Development), Jason Carter and Darrell Shephard (Technical), Jason Carter, Darrell Shephard, Richard Barrow, Kerry Franklin, Claire Austring, Kristina Travers, Richard Dodds and Trevor Murphy, Andrew Compton, Steve Wallace-Yarrow, Damien McCauly, Graeme Love, Trish Sibraa for their contributions.

We would like to say a special thank you to the National Staff, not only do you lead the umpire program in your home state on and off the field but you take on additional duties throughout the year to ensure the NUP provides the most up to date information to the entire program.

Finally, a considerable thank you to Brooke Wilkins, Pathways Coordinator, Softball Australia for the support she provides the NUP and NUC Executive. Your contribution to our program is above and beyond.

We look forward to another successful year in umpiring.

Kyira Cox, Leigh Evans, Debbie Grove & Scott Rindfleish National Umpire Committee Executive

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Scoring

The National Scoring Committee (NSC) has seen a number of achievements and innovations over the last 12 months, including:

• Scoring website updated • Re-accreditation process and completion of the new logbook • Level 1 Scoring course online trailed by NSW and Vic • Accreditation database with additional update of accreditation and re-accreditation forms • Online form for updating details ie address, email address and phone number • Score sheets updated to encompass changes - yearly initiative • Level 4 updating procedure • Scoring umpiring exam online • New teaching resource material constantly rolled out for the level program • Capturing data for national/international events and collection of historical data/players records • The introduction of the National Statisticians Panel and increased number of applications • Attendance at WBSC Technical conference National Committee

Chief of Scoring Ngaire Huston (Chief of Scoring) Statisticians Mike Hannelly (Technical Development) Chris Trengove (Technical Development) Sandra Palmer (Operations) Kirsty Andrews (Communication)

Staff Members Rowena Whittle (NSW) Chris Bailey (Qld) Jim Giles (Vic)

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National Championships

A total of 249 games were scored at the National Championships. With exception of the U14 Regional Championship and Friendship Series, all games were scored by an official paper scorer, technical scorer (iScore) and an assistant.

The NSC would like to thank the statisticians at the various national events for their dedication and commitment and acknowledge the support of the following statisticians who performed as the Tournament Chief Statistician (TCS) at national events:

2018 U23 Men’s and Women’s National Jason Collins (Qld) TCS, Sean Francis (Qld) Deputy Championships and Friendship Series 2019 U17 Boys’ and Girls’ National Championships Lindy Rattigan (SA) TCS, Jim Giles (Vic) Deputy 2019 U19 Men’s and Women’s National Kaye Greggs (NSW) TCS Championships 2019 Open Men’s and U15 Boys’ National Sandra Palmer (NSW) TCS, Maree Hardwicke (ACT) Championships Deputy 2019 Open Women’s and U15 Girls’ Championships Chris Trengove (Vic) TCS

We also acknowledge the following statisticians who volunteered their time to travel interstate to support national events:

Allison Pendlebury (Vic) Karren Plain (NSW) Lynne Townsend (NSW) Michael Hannelly (NSW) Patricia Sibraa (Qld) Kerryn Bell (Vic) Mary Walkinshaw (Vic) James Clarkson (NSW) Graeme Bell (Qld) Wendy Harries (Qld) Ann-Marie Reichler (Qld) Sandra Palmer (NSW) Elisabeth Hannelly (NSW) Peta Wakefield (NSW) Sean Francis (Qld) Jim Giles (Vic) Debbie Carey (Qld) Rachael Needham (Qld) Fiona Goffer (Qld) Leanne Harvey (Qld)

Mentoring Program

The mentoring program was introduced in 2018 to great success. Although differing methods were used in WA and ACT, the NSC took it to a new level in 2019.

Mentors in ACT were allocated teams and email contact was made prior to the tournament seeking feedback on what aspirations and needs the mentee needed at the tournament. Various methods of support were given during the tournament and it was again a very successful program. At the end of the tournament a report was given to the mentees and an official certificate from Softball Australia acknowledging their involvement in the program.

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International Appointments

The large number of quality applications received for Softball Australia team positions has excited the NSC. With additional development teams touring internationally, our elite scorers now have more opportunity on the international stage to experience and grow their scoring abilities.

WBSC XII Junior Men’s World Championship 7–15 July 2018, Jim Giles (Vic) Prince Albert, Canada WBSC XVI Women’s World Championship 2–12 August 2018, Rowena Whittle (NSW) Chiba, Japan NZ Challenge Cup, 8-10 February 2019, Auckland, NZ Chris Trengove (Vic) U17 Development tour April 2019, Auckland, NZ Leanne Harvey (Qld) and Jim Giles (Vic)

WBSC Technical Conference

Kirsty Andrews attended the WBSC Scorers Technical Conference in San Jose in June. The five-day conference was built around the newly produced WBSC scorers manual and teaching appropriately qualified baseball and softball scorers from around the world the WBSC method of scoring. The purpose of this was to build the number of available scorers that could be used at WBSC events.

Since returning from the conference, Kirsty has been appointed to the Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier in Shanghai in September 2019 as an Official Statistician.

Asia Pacific Cup and Level 5 Clinic

Thirteen nominations were received with six candidates accepted into the Level 5 program. All candidates were always rostered onto games or workshop/activities during the tournament.

Candidates were instructed to set up a tournament (with three teams identified) using the seven teams at the Asia Pacific Cup. Each candidate was allocated a team and two additional teams. They used these teams to

52 | Page upload results for six games and import all iScore data for their allocated team or both teams. Candidates were official scorers on seven games – either paper or electronically (generally a 4-3 split).

Congratulations to Pam Saunderson of ACT – the successful candidate for the 2019 Level 5 program.

The Summer Slam – Fully Loaded Softball

All scorers used found this an exhilarating experience.

Three scoring roles allocated:

• Team Scorers, to keep score and ensure players were sent to the correct base at start of each innings. As the action was fast, it was essential the scorer knew players to send out on base before the next innings started. • Official Scorer, paper and iScore were used. To stay ahead of the game, at the conclusion of each innings, the next players on each base were indicated on the scoresheet. Changes were relayed by the umpires.

It is essential that the Official Scorer be an experienced and competent Level 4 (or above) with the ability to make fast decisions. Technical scorer used iPad to record all plays, using Official Scorer as their additional eyes on the game, and means to check players on base at start of each innings. Each base runner needed to be entered at the start of each innings (one-minute change over).

It is essential that the Technical scorer works closely with the Official scorer and be experienced and competent on the iPad.

National Forum in Melbourne in October 2018

The National Forum was held in Melbourne in October, attended by:

Ngaire Huston Chris Trengove Sandra Palmer Michael Hannelly Kirsty Andrews Kaye Greggs (NSW) Maree Hardwicke (ACT) Lindy Rattigan (SA) Matt Denkel (Qld) Karen Vagg (WA) Lorraine Davies (Vic) Jim Giles (Vic) Chris Bailey (NSW) Rowena Whittle (NSW)

The main focus of the Forum was to form working groups to cover a range of topics:

• Accreditation and reaccreditation process • Scoresheet changes • Clinic Evaluation Forms • Website • National Appointments • Age guidelines for each level of • State Directors Reports accreditation • Level 3 examination processes and • Changes and Change slips requirements • Levels 5 and 6 accreditations • Level 4 Manual • Merchandise • Travelling with Australian teams

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Website

The Scorers section of the Softball Australia website has been updated. Whilst there is still more work to be done, the website is growing in information.

Softball Simmetrics

In the calendar year 2018, the tournament reporting website (softball.simmetrics.com.au/tournament) hosted 18 events, 10 for the National Fastpitch championships, and six international events (the two International Friendship Series, the Asia Pacific Cup, the Women’s and Junior Men’s World Championships, and the Junior Men’s warmup games).

In total, the above events included 575 games - 362 Nationals, and 213 International. Of these, 268 national games included iScore reporting, with the major omissions being the U15 Regionals where only the finals were covered. 100 international games were iScored, including every game in the Asia Pacific Cup, and all of the World Championship games involving Australia.

The website was visited by 27,096 users, compared with 27,459 in 2017 (a fall of 1.32%). Users generated 127,265 sessions (periods of continuous activity) and 560,243-page views. 82.2% of the users were sourced from Australia, with the next most prominent sources being Italy, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Japan. 73.9% of the users employed mobile deVices (mobiles and tablets) with 26.1% using desktop computers.

Online Rules Exam

Mike Hannelly and Rowena Whittle have loaded the scorer’s rules exam into an online format which is ready for testing.

Level 1 Assessment

The Level 1 assessment has been updated to match the proposed format of the Level 1 scoring manual and is currently being trialed and altered accordingly.

Level 4 Examinations

Level 4 Examinations were trialled at two national events and will again be trialled at the U23 Championships.

The following people were successful in achieving their Level 4 examination:

• Georgia Fergusson and Mitchell Crawford (Qld) • Marcie Trzcinski (SA)

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• Leonie Downing (WA) • Adele Jenkinson, Catherin Garoni, Tracey Reid (Vic)

Future plans

• Continued development of the Level 5 clinic in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Cup • Further development in iScore education and development of the advanced iScore module • Scoring Newsletters • YouTube Clips for training and comparing plays i.e. PB v WP, WT v E • Regular ‘How do you score the play’ Facebook posts • Level 1 True/False exam via online platform and further Implementation of the Blackboard Scoring Exam

Special thanks

To all State Directors who drive the scoring programme in their respective states and oversee the development of scorers in the various associations around Australia.

To the hard working NSC; Kirsty Andrews (Qld), Sandra Palmer (NSW) Mike Hannelly (NSW) and Chris Trengove (Vic) as without their time and dedication our scoring program would not be where it is today. In addition, I would like also to like thank Brooke Wilkins, Pathways Coordinator at Softball Australia for her hard work assisting the National Scoring Committee.

National Scoring Committee

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Coaching

Softball Community Coaching Program

The Softball Community Coaching Program (SCCP) continues to provide a great introduction to beginner coaches, with 229 individuals completing the face-to-face program.

The SCCP program involves participants presenting and participating in softball-related activities, followed by discussion about modifying activities, to suit the participants. The Level 1 program teaches basic skills and provides participants with hands-on experience to practise their newly acquired skills. ACT, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic and WA all delivered the combined SCCP and Level 1 program.

State Participants Programs ACT 19 2 NSW 137 12 Qld 73 9 SA 8 1 Tas 6 1 Vic 38 5 WA 45 11

Performance Team Coach Programs

The Performance Team Coach Program is designed for coaches operating or aspiring to coach at A-grade club and representative levels. Subjects include the principles of effective coaching practice, player development including advanced technical and tactical strategies applicable to high performance softball.

Two Performance Team Coach Programs were conducted. The first was held 24 – 25 November, with the face- to-face component of the program held at in Melbourne. Participants completed a Workbook prior to attending the course as well as three Sport Australia Intermediate Coaching General Principles:

• The Essence of Coaching • Development and Maturation • Skill Acquisition

Participants were given access to the Performance Team Coach learning portal developed by course facilitator Bob Crudgington.

The implementation of video and technology in the course creates a better learning environment and a more engaging way to complete assessments during the face-to-face component comprising observation, collaborative and interpretive work from video clips taken from national and international games.

The course was well attended with eight participants from Victoria, two from Western Australia and one from New South Wales.

The second was conducted at Blacktown International Sportspark 29-30 June with 12 local coaches attending the face-to-face component of the program.

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Coaching accreditation

ACT NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA Total

39 1,072 3 474 341 26 345 191 2,491

Coaching accreditation by category

ACT NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA Total

New (first time 31 606 3 278 317 17 232 137 1.621 accreditation)

Upgrade (next 3 235 0 83 15 7 62 45 450 level)

Reaccreditation 5 231 0 113 9 2 51 9 420 (renewed at existing level)

Total 39 1,072 3 474 341 26 345 191 2,491

States by levels

ACT NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA Total

Level 1 30 514 3 239 298 16 197 111 1.408

Level 2 1 177 0 154 26 8 77 47 490

Level 3 5 314 0 66 11 1 54 28 479

Level 4 1 52 0 14 2 1 9 2 81

Level 5 2 14 0 0 4 0 7 3 30

Level 6 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 3

Total 39 1,072 3 474 341 26 345 191 2,491

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Online Coach Education Platform

Softball Australia is in the process of updating all the coaching education courses, with the first course completed in June. The “Softball Batter Up Coaching Induction” went live and is the first of four courses that will be created to assist the club level coaches across the country. The courses will all be online and offer a powerful Learning Management Platform that allows participants access to education anywhere, at any time.

Four courses in all will be created that will round out the “Foundation level” of coaching. All four courses offer flexibility, which means they can be completed in any order and at the participants own pace. They will all be imbedded within the Softball Batter Up website in the new “My-Courses” section which adds an education space to the resources already contained in the website.

Once all four courses are completed the participant will be able to “graduate” from the “Foundation level” and move into the “Performance Coaching” area where three more courses are being created. These courses deliver higher level knowledge suitable for coaches involved with representative, state or national level teams.

Performance level courses will suit the aspiring coach driven to be more than just a club level coach. The content combines wisdom from decades of Australian High-Performance success coupled with the latest research and findings from elite sports coaching principles developed around the world. The performance courses will be housed in the University of Queensland online platform.

Joanne Paez Participation Coordinator

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TEAMS AND SQUADS

AUSTRALIAN U19 WOMEN’S & U17 BOYS’ DEVELOPMENT TEAMS INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP SERIES REDLANDS, QLD, 9-13 JULY 2018

Girls’ Program Coordinator: Janell Behrendt (SA) AUSTRALIA GREEN TEAM (FEMALE)

Pippa Adkins (SA), Sophie Aitken (NSW), Brooke Clappinson (WA), Chloe Humphreys (Qld), Marlie Hurinui (Vic), Brielle Karklin (WA), Jacquelyn O’Connor (Qld), Emily Peters (NSW), Madison Scott (SA), Monique Smith (Qld), Holly Touchell (WA), Shaylan Whatman (NSW), Sasha Willems (NSW), Jessica Woolbank (NSW) OFFICIALS

Vicki Bingley (ACT, Head Coach), Fiona Mills (Vic, Assistant Coach), Drew Herrington (WA, Assistant Coach), Andrea Mansfield (Vic, Manager), Tanya Buchan (Physiotherapist) AUSTRALIA GOLD TEAM (FEMALE)

Tahlia Anderson (Qld), Ryleigh Arnott (NSW), Jorja Barrett (NSW), Kayla Hancox (Qld), Georgia Hood (SA), Layhnee Kearnes (NSW), Kristy Lockhart (WA), Grace Peters (Vic), Faith Pickard (SA), Anisha Sawaid (NSW), Brooke Stewart (Qld), Jenna Trim (NSW), Tamikah Turner-Hames (WA), Shania Watson (Qld) OFFICIALS

Neridah Wearne (NSW, Head Coach), Alisha Bell (Vic, Assistant Coach), Shane King (Qld, Assistant Coach), Meegan Roberts (SA, Manager), Tanya Buchan (Physiotherapist)

Boys’ Program Coordinator: David Metekingi (Qld) AUSTRALIA GREEN TEAM (MALE)

Josh Banks (NSW), Kye Burrows (NSW), Marcus Ferraro (Vic), Corey Gleeson (NSW), Cooper Goodman (SA), Lachlan Ives (ACT), Jordan Miller (Vic), Kynan Molander (Qld), Nicholas Murphy (Qld), Luke Readdy (Qld), Josh Routledge (Qld), Sam Seach (Vic), Hayden Shaw (NSW), Caleb Van De Griendt (Qld), Lincoln Walk (Qld) OFFICIALS

Chris Holliday (Vic, Head Coach), Morgan Young (SA, Assistant Coach), Yelena Hivon (Qld, Manager), Andrew Tran (Physiotherapist)

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AUSTRALIA GOLD TEAM (MALE)

Heinrich Ackermann (Qld), Ben Cashen (NSW), Ethan Field (NSW), Alex Gutteridge (NSW), Jaiden Hollie (Qld), Blake Hunter (NSW), Tristan Little (Vic), Riley Murrihy (Qld), Troy Piercy (NSW), Zac Raso (NSW), William Thomas (ACT), Dylan Todd (Qld), Cambell Utatao (Vic), Brodie Varney (Qld) OFFICIALS

Matt Chapman (Qld, Head Coach), Steve Albee (NSW, Assistant Coach), Kerryn Bell (Vic, Manager), Erin Parish (Physiotherapist)

AUSTRALIAN MEN’S DEVELOPMENT TEAM NZ CHALLENGE CUP AUCKLAND, NZ, 8-10 FEBRUARY 2019

Blake Bell (NSW), Callum Beashel (NSW), Mitchell Brownlow (NSW), Jarryd Farrell (SA), Shaun Goffer (Qld), Lachlan Hay (NSW), Julian Jemmott (Qld), Jayden Lach (NSW), Shaun Lanaghan (NSW), Ryan Merriman (Qld), Brendon O'Byrne - Captain (WA), Harrison Peters (NSW), Tyrell Priestley (Qld), James Purcell (Qld), Layton Reid (Qld), Joshua White (ACT)

Geoffrey Coultas (Head Coach), Nathan Jones (Assistant Coach), David Metekingi (Assistant Coach), Michael Titheradge (Manager), Chris Trengove (Statistician)

AUSTRALIAN MEN’S TEAM WBSC MEN’S SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC, 13-23 JUNE 2019

Callum Beashel (NSW), Adam Folkard (ACT), Andrew Kirkpatrick – Captain (ACT), Hayden Mathews (NSW), Josh McGovern (ACT), Nick Norton (ACT), Brendon O’Byrne (WA), Liam O’Leary (NSW), Scott Patterson (WA), Harrison Peters (NSW), James Purcell (Qld), Layton Reid (Qld), Nick Shailes, Ryan Sinclair (Vic), James Todhunter (NSW), Josh White (ACT0, Jett Wright (WA).

Kere Johanson (Head Coach), Geoff Coultas (Assistant Coach), Adam Rindfleish (Assistant Coach), Mike Titheradge (Team Manager), Tony Mackie (Video Analyst), Chris Trengove (Statistician), Bernie Simai (Physiotherapist)

AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR MEN’S TEAM WBSC JUNIOR MEN’S SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WHITEHORSE, CANADA, 7-15 JULY 2018

Josh Bond (NSW), Jacob Donaldson (NSW), Jarred Garland (NSW), Matt Harrow (ACT), Blake Jackson (NSW), Riley James (Qld), Brad Kilpatrick (NSW), Ryan King (NSW), Shaun Lanaghan (NSW), Michael Ludkin (Qld),

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Bolton Nussbaum (ACT), Chris Plain (NSW), Layton Reid (Qld), Keenan Smith (Qld), Dawson Summers - Captain (WA), Jeremy Waters (Qld), Jett Wright (WA)

Laing Harrow (Head Coach), Adam Rindfleish (Assistant Coach), Darrin Hebditch (Assistant Coach), Michael Titheradge (Manager), Tony Mackie (Video Analyst), Bernie Simai (Physiotherapist), Jim Giles (Statistician)

THE SUMMER SLAM BLACKTOWN, NSW, 4-6 FEBRUARY 2019

Bandits

Janice Blackman (AUS), Erin Blackmore (NZ), Maddie Cameron (AUS), Jennifer Feret-Brear (NZ), Marta Gasparotto (ITA), Sandra Holden (AUS), Azusa Kato (JPN), Chia-Hui Ko (TPE), Su-Hua Lin (TPE), Mereana Makea (NZ), Fabrizia Marrone (ITA), Chelsea Robinson (AUS), Carmelle Sorensen - Captain (AUS), Marina Yamashina (JPN)

Kevin Jenkins (Head Coach), Yang Shien-Ming (Assistant Coach), Kerri Wallwork (Team Manager) Emeralds

Elisa Cecchetti (ITA), Sarah Evans (USA), Ashley Johnston (NZ), Manon Marie (FRA), Loran Parker (NZ), Beth Reid (NZ), Ellen Roberts (AUS), Chieh-Pei Shih (TPE), Brooke Stewart (AUS), Taylah Tsitsikronis (AUS), Li Nai Yee Tsun (TPE), Ya-Ting Tu (TPE), Jade Wall (AUS), Clare Warwick – Captain (AUS), Yi-Tang Ying (TPE)

Kerrie Porter (Head Coach), Chris Coleman (Assistant Coach), Dee Anderson (Team Manager) Fury

Laura Bigatton (ITA), Tabitha Callander (AUS), Amanda Fama (ITA), Manami Ichitani (JPN), Feng-Chen Lin (TPE), Hsuan Liu (TPE), Tahli Moore (AUS), Yu-Ling Pan (TPE), Kaia Parnaby – Captain (AUS), Leah Parry (AUS), Yi- Hsuan Su (TPE), Belinda White (AUS), Tamieka Whitefield (AUS), Chia-Yen Wu (TPE), Yi Yen (TPE)

Andrew Kirkpatrick (Head Coach), Neridah Wearne (Assistant Coach), Sharon Trenbath (Team Manager) Lightning

Lara Andrews (NZ), Valerie Bettinsoli (ITA), Danica Ferriso (NZ), Leigh Godfrey – Captain (AUS), Georgia Hood (AUS), Shannon Keevers (AUS), Chih-Ying Lin (TPE), Giulia Longhi (ITA), Stacey McManus (AUS), Tyla Morrison (NZ), Erika Piancastelli (ITA), Jayme Reddacliff (AUS), Jessica Torpey (AUS), Chia-Chen Tsai (TPE)

Geoff Coultas (Head Coach), Mark Rigg (Assistant Coach), Alison Connell (Team Manager) Panthers

Chiara Bassi (ITA), Mariel Bertossi (ITA), Priscilla Brandi (ITA), Ilaria Cacciamani (ITA), Chia-Yun Chang (TPE), An- Ju Chiu (TPE), Amber Johnson (AUS), Szu-Shih Li (TPE), Verity Long-Droppert (AUS), Akane Naimiki (JPN), Stacey Porter – Captain (AUS), Brooke Spence (AUS), Otila Tavite (NZ), Zoe Tolhopf (NZ)

Laing Harrow (Head Coach), Kym Tollenaere (Assistant Coach), Jacqui Dunn (Team Manager)

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Riot

Ilsa Anstey (AUS), Greta Cecchetti (ITA), Chia-Yi Chen (TPE), Michelle Cox (AUS), Chelsea Forkin – Captain (AUS), Mel Gettins (NZ), Machiko Higuchi (JPN), Rachel Lack (AUS), Jordan Lambert (AUS), Caitlin Lewin (NZ), Ying-Hsin Lin (TPE), Lucy McIntyre (NZ), Elisa Princic (ITA), Susanna Soldi (ITA), Chieh-Yu Wu (TPE)

Melanie Roche (Head Coach), Nicky Bacon (Assistant Coach), Simone Wearne (Team Manager) AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN’S TEAM WOMEN’S SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Amelia Cudicio (NSW), Chelsea Forkin (WA), Leigh Godfrey (WA), Stacey McManus (NSW), Kaia Parnaby (Qld), Sam Poole (NSW), Stacey Porter (NSW), Ellen Roberts (NSW), Justine Smethurst (Qld), Carmelle Sorensen (Qld), Tarni Stepto (NSW), Taylah Tsitsikronis (NSW), Jade Wall (Qld), Clare Warwick (ACT), Melinda Weaver (Qld), Belinda White (SA), Tamieka Whitefield (Qld)

JAPAN CUP TEAM

Madeline Cameron (SA), Sandra Holden (Qld), Shannon Keevers (NSW), Rachel Lack (NSW), Jordan Lambert (SA), Verity Long-Droppert (WA), Kaia Parnaby (NSW), Stacey Porter (NSW), Ellen Roberts (NSW), Carmelle Sorensen (Qld), Tarni Stepto (NSW), Jessica Torpey (Qld), Taylah Tsitsikronis (NSW), Clare Warwick (ACT), Melinda Weaver (Qld), Tamieka Whitefield (Qld)

ASIA PACIFIC CUP TEAMS

TRAVELODGE AUSSIE SPIRIT

Shannon Keevers (NSW), Chelsea Forkin (WA), Leigh Godfrey (WA), Leah Parry (WA), Kaia Parnaby (Qld), Rachel Lack (NSW), Stacey Porter (NSW), Ellen Roberts (NSW), Verity Long-Droppert (WA), Amber Johnson (WA), Jessica Torpey (Qld), Taylah Tsitsikronis (NSW), Tahli Moore (NSW), Clare Warwick (ACT), Michelle Cox (NSW), Tamieka Whitefield (Qld) AUSTRALIA A

Madeline Cameron (SA), Sandra Holden (Qld), Janice Blackman (Qld), Carmelle Sorensen (Qld), Jordan Lambert (SA), Belinda White (SA), Stacey McManus (NSW), Ilsa Anstey (Vic), Brooke Spence (ACT), Chelsea Robinson (SA), Taylah Welch (Qld), Tabitha Callander (WA), Jayme Reddacliff (Qld), Jade Wall (Qld), Georgia Hood – U19

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INTERNATIONAL

ASIA PACIFIC CUP

BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTSPARK, NSW 31 JANUARY - 3 FEBRUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Chet Gray Umpire-in-Chief Andrew Rindfleish Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

China 4 d Chinese Taipei 3

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 China Most Valuable Player – Leigh Godfrey (AUS) 2 Chinese Taipei Best Pitcher – Xing Xing Zhao (China) 3 Travelodge Aussie Spirit Best Batter – Saki Yamazaki (Japan) 4 Japan 5 Australia A 6 Italy 7 New Zealand

AUSSIE STEELERS, AUSTRALIAN MEN’S TEAM

NZ CHALLENGE CUP ALBANY, NEW ZEALAND 8-10 FEBRUARY 2019

RESULTS FINAL PLACINGS

Australia 4 lost to New Zealand 12 1 Japan Australia 2 lost to NZ B 7 2 New Zealand Australia 1 d Japan 0 3 New Zealand B Australia 2 lost to NZ B 4 4 Australia Australia 5 lost to New Zealand 6 Australia 2 lost to Japan 10

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ZEISTER SLOT TOURNAMENT

ZEIST, NETHERLANDS 8-9 JUNE 2019

RESULTS FINAL PLACINGS

Australia 10 d Netherlands 0 1 Japan Australia 10 d South Africa 0 2 New Zealand Australia 0 lost to Japan 1 3 Australia Australia 3 d Denmark 2 4 South Africa Australia 1 lost to New Zealand 2 5 Denmark 6 Netherlands

XVI WBSC MEN’S SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC 13-23 JUNE 2019

RESULTS PLAYOFFS

Australia 10 d Singapore 0 Australia 4 lost to New Zealand 7 Australia 1 d USA 0 Australia 6 lost to USA 8 Australia 1 lost to Canada 4 Australia 2 d Czech Republic 1 Australia 5 d Denmark 3 Australia 11 d South Africa 0 Australia 5 d Venezuela 3 Australia 7 d Netherlands 3

FINAL PLACINGS

1 Argentina 9 Denmark 2 Japan 10 Cuba 3 Canada 11 Mexico 4 New Zealand 12 South Africa 5 USA 13 Netherlands 6 Venezuela 14 Botswana 7 Australia 15 Singapore 8 Czech Republic 16 Philippines

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AUSTRALIAN U19 MEN’S TEAM

12TH WBSC JUNIOR MEN’S SOFTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

PRINCE ALBERT, CANADA 7-15 JULY 2018

RESULTS PLAYOFFS

Junior Steelers 4 d India 1 Junior Steelers 2 d Canada 0 Junior Steelers 7 d Argentina 2 Junior Steelers 4 d Japan 2 Junior Steelers 18 d Denmark 0 Junior Steelers 6 d Japan 1 Junior Steelers 8 d Mexico 1 Junior Steelers 17 d South Africa 1 Junior Steelers 2 lost to Japan 3

FINAL PLACINGS

1 Australia 9 India 2 Japan 10 South Africa 3 New Zealand 11 Guatemala 4 Canada 12 Hong Kong 5 Argentina 13 Denmark 6 Mexico 7 Czech Republic 8 USA

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AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

72ND OPEN WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING FOR THE GILLEY’S SHIELD

MIRRABOOKA INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL STADIUM, WA 5-11 JANUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Michael Titheradge Umpire-in-Chief Debbie Grove Tournament Chief Statistician Chris Trengove Tournament Convenor Jill Green and Russ Clark

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW Firestars 4 d SA Starz 3

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 NSW Firestars Midge Nelson Medal - Most Valuable Player – Rachel Lack (NSW) 2 SA Starz Lorraine Woolley Medal - Best Pitcher – Ellen Roberts (NSW) 3 WA Flames Sybil Turner Medal - Best Batter – Stacey Porter (NSW) 4 Vic Titans Rosemary Adey Medal - Rookie of the Year – Georgia Hood (SA) 5 ACT Diamonds Player of the Grand Final – Rachel Lack (NSW) 6 Qld Heat

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36TH OPEN MEN’S NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING FOR THE JOHN REID SHIELD

HAWKER INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CENTRE, ACT 13-19 JANUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Jennifer Goolagong Umpire-in-Chief Darren Sibraa Tournament Chief Statistician Sandra Palmer Tournament Convenor Michael Sydney

GRAND FINAL RESULT

ACT 2 d NSW 1

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 ACT 89ers Most Valuable Player – Mitch Brownlow (NSW) 2 NSW Best Pitcher – Andrew Kirkpatrick (ACT) 3 WA Blaze Best Batter – Scott Patterson (WA) 4 Victoria Rosemary Adey Medal – Rookie of the Year – Blake Jackson (SA) 5 Qld Patriots Player of the Grand Final – Andrew Kirkpatrick (ACT) 6 South Australia

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9TH U23 WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING FOR THE JOYCE LESTER SHIELD

REDLANDS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION, Qld 11-14 JULY 2018

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Shane Cantelmi Umpire-in-Chief Andrew Rindfleish Tournament Chief Statistician Jason Collins Tournament Convenor Janelle Kronk

INVITATIONAL CUP WINNER GRAND FINAL RESULT

US Athletes NSW 4 d Qld 2

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 NSW Most Valuable Player – Moe Kurihara (Qld) 2 Qld Best Pitcher – Gabrielle Plain (NSW) 3 WA Best Batter – Ashleigh Wickens (NSW) 4 SA Player of the Grand Final – Gabrielle Plain (NSW) 5 ACT 6 Vic

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Gabrielle Plain (NSW) Catcher Katie Adams (US Athletes) 1st Base Paige Delacour (Qld) 2nd Base Ashleigh Wickens (NSW) 3rd Base Brianna McGovern (ACT) Shortstop Rebekah Cervantes (US Athletes) Outfield Rhiannon Kemp (Qld) McKenzie Giles-Martin (WA) Monique Rimmer-Herrington (WA) Designated Player Moe Kurihara (Qld)

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9TH U23 MEN’S NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING FOR THE LAING HARROW SHIELD

REDLANDS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION, Qld 11-14 JULY 2018

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Shane Cantelmi Umpire-in-Chief Darren Sibraa Tournament Chief Statistician Jason Collins Tournament Convenor Janelle Kronk

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Qld 12 d ACT 6

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 Qld Most Valuable Player – Brandon Goffer (Qld) 2 ACT Best Pitcher – Jarrod Russell (Qld) 3 WA Best Batter – Brandon Goffer (Qld) 4 Vic Player of the Grand Final – Jourdyn Hollands (Qld) 5 NSW

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Jarrod Russell (Qld) Catcher Josh McGovern (ACT) 1st Base Shannon Goffer (Qld) 2nd Base Kurt Barbarich (WA) 3rd Base Daniel Harrison (NSW) Shortstop Jarrod Bradbury (ACT) Outfield Jeremy Bradbury (ACT) Cody Gibb (WA) Isaac Caloiero-Smith (Qld) Designated Player Brandon Goffer (Qld)

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46TH U19 WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING FOR THE ELINOR MCKENZIE SHIELD

BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTSPARK, NSW 20-26 JANUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Kylie Bloodworth Umpire-in-Chief Leigh Evans Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW 6 d Qld 2

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 NSW Most Valuable Player – Shaylan Whatman (NSW) 2 Qld Best Pitcher – Jorja Barrett (NSW) 3 SA Best Batter – Georgia Hood (SA) 4 WA Player of the Grand Final – Jenna Trim (NSW) 5 ACT 6 Vic

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31ST U19 MEN’S NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING FOR THE NOX BAILEY SHIELD

BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTSPARK, NSW 20-26 JANUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Kylie Bloodworth Umpire-in-Chief Leigh Evans Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Qld 3 d NSW 2

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 Qld Most Valuable Player – Jett Wright (WA) 2 NSW Best Pitcher – Bradley Kilpatrick (NSW) 3 ACT Best Batter – Sheldon Waller (Qld) 4 WA Player of the Grand Final – Layton Reid (Qld) 5 SA

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50TH U17 GIRLS’ NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING FOR THE ESTHER DEASON SHIELD

BARRATT RESERVE, WEST BEACH, SA 5-11 JANUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Andrew Rindfleish Umpire-in-Chief Kyira Cox Tournament Chief Statistician Lindy Rattigan Tournament Convenor Alice Prokopec

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW 8 d SA 1

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 NSW Most Valuable Player – Mackenzie Walker (NSW) 2 SA Best Pitcher – Grace Wrixon (NSW) 3 Vic Best Batter – Madi Baker (NSW) 4 WA Player of the Grand Final – Madi Baker (NSW) 5 Qld 6 ACT

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29TH U17 BOYS’ NATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYING FOR THE ARTHUR ALLSOPP SHIELD

BARRATT RESERVE, WEST BEACH, SA 5-11 JANUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Andrew Rindfleish Umpire-in-Chief Kyira Cox Tournament Chief Statistician Lindy Rattigan Tournament Convenor Alice Prokopec

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Qld 6 d NSW 5

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 Qld Most Valuable Player – Hayden Shaw (NSW) 2 NSW Best Pitcher – Blake Hunter (NSW) 3 Vic Best Batter – Ethan Field (NSW) 4 WA Player of the Grand Final – Riley James (Qld) 5 SA

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U15 GIRLS’ REGIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

MIRRABOOKA INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL STADIUM, WA 5-11 JANUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Michael Titheradge Umpire-in-Chief Ron Houison Tournament Chief Statistician Chris Trengove Tournament Convenor Jill Green and Russ Clark

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW Metro Green 5 d Qld Flames 4

FINAL PLACINGS

1 NSW Metro Green 6 Victoria 2 Qld Flames 7 SA Blue 3 NSW Metro Orange 8 WA Gold 4 SA Red 9 ACT 5 Qld Fire 10 NSW Country Gold 6 Victoria 11 WA White

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U15 BOYS’ REGIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

HAWKER INTERNATIONAL SOFTBALL CENTRE, ACT 13-19 JANUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Jennifer Goolagong Umpire-in-Chief Kevin Tannebring Tournament Chief Statistician Sandra Palmer Tournament Convenor Michael Sydney

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Qld Storm 11 d Victoria 10

FINAL PLACINGS

1 Qld Storm 6 Qld Thunder 2 Victoria 7 WA 3 NSW Metro Orange 8 ACT 4 NSW Country 9 SA 5 NSW Metro Green

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OTHER RESULTS

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP SERIES

REDLANDS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION, Qld 9-13 JULY 2018

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Shane Cantelmi Umpire-in-Chief Darren Sibraa Tournament Chief Statistician Jason Collins Tournament Convenor Janelle Kronk

FEMALE COMPETITION

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Australia Green 5 d Australia Gold 4

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 Australia Green Most Valuable Player – Brooke Clappinson (Aus Green) 2 Australia Gold Best Pitcher – Jacquelyn O’Connor (Aus Green) 3 Queensland Best Batter – Sasha Willems (Aus Green) 4 Southern Pride Player of the Grand Final – Pippa Adkins (Aus Green) 5 Southside Stingers 6 Port Moresby

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Jacquelyn O’Connor (Aus Green) Catcher Brooke Stewart (Aus Gold) 1st Base Manaia Makiri (Southern Pride) 2nd Base Jessica Woolbank (Aus Green) 3rd Base Erin Blackmore (Southside Stingers) Shortstop Madison Scott (Aus Green) Outfield Tori Taylor (Qld) Sophie Aitken (Aus Green) Brooke Clappinson (Aus Green) Designated Player Sasha Willems (Aus Green)

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MALE COMPETITION

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Australia Green 5 d Australia Gold 1

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 Australia Green Most Valuable Player – Jaiden Holly (Aus Gold) 2 Australia Gold Best Pitcher – Heinrich Ackermann (Aus Gold) 3 NZ Emerging Sox Best Batter – Corey Gleeson (Aus Green) 4 United Sth Island 5 Southern Pride 6 Southside Stingers

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Heinrich Ackermann (Aus Gold) Catcher Corey Gleeson (Aus Green) 1st Base Luke Readdy (Aus Green) 2nd Base Braden Healy (USI) 3rd Base Callum Turner (Southside Stingers) Shortstop Ashlee Goffer (Qld) Outfield Jaiden Holly (Aus Gold) Jack Stuart (Southern Pride) Riley Murrihy (Aus Gold) Designated Player Nicholas Murphy (Aus Green)

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THE SUMMER SLAM

BLACKTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPORTSPARK, NSW 4-6 FEBRUARY 2019

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Chet Gray Umpire-in-Chief Andrew Rindfleish Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Fury 9 d Emeralds 8

FINAL PLACINGS AWARDS

1 Fury Most Valuable Player – Elisa Cecchetti (Emeralds) 2 Emeralds Best Pitcher – Greta Cecchetti (Riot) 3 Lightning Best Batter – Taylah Tsitsikronis (Emeralds) 4 Bandits Player of the Grand Final – Belinda White (Fury) 5 Panthers 6 Riot

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AWARDS & HONOURS

Life Members

Life Members are recognised for their exceptional and devoted service to softball Australia. Name Year State Debbie Grove 2018 Vic Ngaire Huston 2018 Qld Michael Hannelly 2015 NSW Harvey Milson 2013 NSW Tricia Sibraa 2013 Qld Mike McDermid 2013 ACT Darryl Clout 2010 NSW Bob Harrow 2010 ACT Bill Gobbart* 2006 Vic Ken Culpitt 2004 ACT Alan McAuliffe 2002 SA Shirley Schneider 2000 WA Pat Rawlings OAM* 1994 NSW Margo Koskelainen OAM 1993 Vic Rosemary Adey OAM* 1989 SA Pat Shearwood 1980 ACT Edna Nash* 1969 NSW Pat Young* 1968 NSW Audrey McLaughlin AM 1967 Qld Esther Deason MBE* 1966 Vic Merle Short* 1966 Vic Marjorie Dwyer* 1966 Vic *denotes deceased

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SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Hall of Fame recognises Australian players and non-players who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of softball at the international level. Name Year State Jodie Bowering 2018 Qld Neal Delpero 2018 WA Jeff Goolagong 2018 ACT Adam Humble 2017 WA Nathan Jones 2017 WA Kris Kiefel 2017 Vic Helen Edwards 2016 Vic Danielle Stewart (Bouman) 2016 Qld Leigh Evans 2015 Vic Michael Titheradge 2015 WA Tracey Mosley 2014 Vic Kylie Cronk 2014 Qld Danica Howlett 2014 NSW Diane Waller 2013 Vic Barry Blanchard 2013 NSW Terry Downes 2013 Qld Debbie Grove 2013 Vic Kelly Hardie 2013 Qld Mike Harrow 2013 ACT Ngaire Huston 2013 Qld Neville Lawrance 2013 SA Simmone Morrow 2013 SA Andrew Rindfleish 2013 NSW Sue Tomlinson 2013 SA Kerry Wyborn 2013 NSW Wendy Braybon* 2012 Vic Carolyn Buttsworth 2012 NSW Tanya Harding 2012 Qld Sandra Lewis 2012 Qld Melanie Roche 2012 NSW Natalie Titcume 2012 Vic Natalie Ward 2012 NSW Fiona Crawford 2010 NSW Paul Maisey 2010 Vic Marissa Warburton 2010 Qld Ken Culpitt 2009 ACT 2009 Australian Open Men’s Team Aussie Steelers 2009 and ISF World Champions Geoffrey Coultas 2008 WA Brian Flint 2008 WA Darryl Rector 2008 WA Robert Richardson 2008 NSW Bill Downing 2008 WA

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Name Year State Russell Taylor 2008 WA Josh Davison 2008 NSW Dave McKenzie 2008 WA Peter Clout 2008 NSW Sally McCreedy OAM 2008 ACT Peta Edebone 2008 Vic Brooke Wilkins 2008 NSW Kathy Mitchell 2008 Qld John McAuliffe 2007 SA Bob Crudgington 2006 Qld Matt Gowty 2006 Qld Troy Baverstock 2005 NSW Kylie Herbert 2005 NSW Alan McAuliffe 2005 SA Carol Peel 2005 NSW Haylea Petrie 2005 Qld Kim Cooper 2004 Qld Shane King 2004 Qld Kerry Dienelt 2004 NT Lindsey Carroll 2004 ACT Kellie Loughman 2004 Vic Kerrie Maddern 2004 Vic Nicole Richardson 2004 Vic Margo Koskelainen OAM 2004 Vic Joanne Brown 2004 ACT Francine McRae 2004 Qld Lindsay Anderson* 2003 WA Anthony Bull 2003 WA Laing Harrow 2002 ACT Rhonda Wills 2002 Vic Jenny Holliday AM 2002 Vic Joyce Lester OAM 2000 Qld Leanne Evans 1997 Vic Gaye Ledingham 1997 NSW Pat Shearwood 1995 ACT Sandra Troyahn 1995 Vic Arthur Allsopp* 1992 Vic Rosemary Adey OAM* 1991 SA Pat Rawlings OAM* 1991 NSW Janne Stevens 1990 SA Lorraine Brown 1989 SA Josephine Loton 1989 Vic Janine (Jan) Allsopp 1988 Vic Carol Selem 1988 NSW Vivienne Triplett* 1988 Vic Esther Deason MBE* 1987 Vic Marjorie Dwyer* 1987 Vic

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Name Year State Merilyn Middlin 1987 Vic Joanne Paez 1987 Vic Judy Phelps OAM 1987 NSW Chris Roughley 1987 NSW Sybil Turner 1987 NSW Rhonda Boyd 1986 Vic Denise Hutchinson 1986 Vic 1965 Australian Open Women’s Team and ISF 1985 World Champions Norma Allsopp Vic Margaret Dodds Qld Bess Dornan Vic Myrtle Edwards Vic Rita Gherardin Vic Elinor McKenzie* Vic Audrey McLaughlin Qld Helena Meehan Vic Nina Menner WA Midge Nelson BEM Vic Gladys Phillips* (C) Vic Judy Pizaro* Vic Marjorie Scott Vic Merle Short* Vic Sandra Somerville Qld Margaret Swann Vic Nancy Whittingham SA Lorraine Woolley Qld *denotes deceased

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WBSC/ISF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Name Year State Melanie Roche 2017 NSW Natalie Ward 2017 NSW Mike Harrow 2015 ACT Marissa Warburton 2015 Qld Neville Lawrance 2015 SA Bob Crudgington 2013 Qld Brooke Wilkins 2013 Qld Haylea Petrie 2013 Qld Bob Harrow 2011 ACT Paul Maisey 2011 Vic Peta Edebone 2011 Vic Peter Clout 2009 NSW John McAuliffe 2009 SA Sally McCreedy OAM 2009 ACT Norma Allsopp 2005 Vic Joanne Brown 2005 ACT Ken Culpitt 2005 Qld Kerry Dienelt 2005 NT Denise Hutchinson 2005 Vic Shane King 2005 Qld Laing Harrow 2003 ACT Margo Koskelainen OAM 2003 Vic Alan McAuliffe 2003 SA Jenny Holliday AM 2001 Vic Joyce Lester OAM 2001 Qld Audrey McLaughlin AM 1999 Qld Rosemary Adey OAM* 1997 SA Janine (Jan) Allsopp 1993 Vic Vivienne Triplett* 1993 Vic Sybil Turner 1993 NSW Rhonda Boyd 1991 Vic Chris Roughley 1991 NSW Margaret Swann 1989 Vic Myrtle Edwards* 1987 Vic Merle Short* 1987 Vic Marjorie (Midge) Nelson BEM 1981 Vic Esther Deason* MBE 1981 Vic

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PARTNERS & SPONSORS

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

SPONSORS

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