Legend

JOYCE LESTER OAM

Queensland Player Number ~ 151

Joyce first represented Queensland at the Under 16 level in 1973. Moving quickly through the ranks she was selected in her first Queensland Open Team in 1975 and continued for 21 years before retiring in 1996. She was recognised for her strong leadership by being appointed vice-captain in 1981 to 1983 and then captain of the Queensland Open Women’s Team for 12 years. Joyce was a member of 8 Queensland teams which won the Gilley’s Shield and in 1987 she won the Batting Award (.400).

Joyce was a scholarship holder of the Queensland Academy of Sport and Australian Institute of Sport and an inaugural member of both the QAS and AIS Squads. Though Joyce finished her career as a Catcher she was, in her earlier years, one of the country’s most talented Outfielders.

Australian Player Number ~ 87

Joyce’s Australian Open Representative career began in 1977 until her retirement in 1996. She competed in 5 World Championships winning 2 bronze medals and an Olympic Bronze Medal at the 1996 Atlanta . Joyce played 235 games for was captain of the Australian team for 11 years. In the 1986 Sixth Women’s World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand Joyce was selected in the All Star Team with a .313 Batting Average and 1000 Fielding Average.

Joyce has continued to give back to softball as a volunteer, particularly in the coaching arena. She was the Australian Women’s Team Assistant Coach in 2007 but it is at a State level that she has contributed the most. Since 1997 Joyce has been the Head Coach or Assistant Coach of 12 Queensland Teams and was a Queensland Selector in 1999/2000. Joyce’s current coaching role is as Assistant Coach with the Queensland Heat.

During her playing career and following retirement, Joyce has contributed to the development of future softball players and coaches. She has coached junior teams at club level, school teams during her teaching career and at state and national Talent Camps and development clinics. She has presented at coaching courses and workshops.

Following her retirement from playing, Joyce moved to North Queensland and was appointed as the Queensland Academy of Sport Softball Unit Regional Training Program Head Coach a position she held from 1997 to 2009.

Not content with contributing at the State level, Joyce went on to be a Board Member for 7 years. At the international level Joyce was on the 2002 ISF Athletes Commission and was an ISF Congress Delegate in 2001 and 2003.

Joyce has been recognised for her achievements and contribution through the following awards: • 2000 Queensland Sport Federation – Named as a top 100 Queensland Sporting Hero for achievements in Softball • 2000 Australian Sports Hall of Fame • 2000 Inducted into the Softball Queensland Hall of Fame • 2000 Softball Australia Hall of Fame • 2001 International Softball Federation Hall of Fame • 2001 Order of Australia Medal • 2002 Named in the Queensland Academy of Sport’s Top Athletes of the Decade • 2009 Inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame • 2013 Inducted as a Softball Queensland Legend • In her honour the U23 Women’s Competion is played for The Joyce Lester Shield.

Joyce believed she should always make herself available for her club, Association, State and Nation. Her love and passion for the game has never wavered.

“A True Inspiration – Second To None”

Supporters & Preferred Suppliers