Our Year in Review
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O UR Y EAR I N R EVIEW D ISTRICT A SSOCIATIONS BRISBANE Competition The 2009 /2010 season has The association again delivered women’s and men’s seen the association face many competitions with men competing over the summer and varied challenges and period for the first time at Downey Park. Teams experience significant highs and competed in the following grades over the summer: lows. No doubt the low point for the year was the Women; A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C 2, U16A, U16B, U14A, passing of our President Deb McColm. It was however, U14B, U12A, 3-Pitch,T-Ball wonderful to see so many friends from the softball Men: A, B. fraternity attend the memorial service and dedication day in Deb’s honour. Winter competition saw men return to O’Callaghan Park, Zillmere with increased participation involving 15 The Association finalised a five year development plan teams across A, B and C grades. The new venue is and commenced work on it’s implementation to proving a success and thanks go to Devils Softball Club address the key strategy areas of: for the support in preparing the facility each week. 1. Facilities and Equipment O’Callaghan Park provides opportunity to grow 2. Administration and Financial Management participation as well as provide training venues for 3. Membership and Participation Association representative teams. 4. Volunteer Management Sunstate Wanderers also continued its association with Extensive effort has been invested to enhance Downey BSA, providing excellent alternative competition Park facilities, including improved seating for opportunities to BSA members. spectators, commitment to providing healthy food options in the canteen, rejuvenation and improvement Club and team contributions to Association competition of Diamond 1, improvement of change room and were: umpire facilities as well as upgrade of computer Men’s 2010 Women’s 2009-2010 systems in the office. The ambience of the venue has Winter Competition Summer Competition also been improved through installation of gardens and Club Teams Club Teams improved drainage. Bruins 3 Wilston Grange 4 Redsox 2 Devils 6 Once again the enormous effort of the Board, Club Dodgers 1 Jaguars 1 officials and volunteers is acknowledged in assisting Devils 3 Panthers 8 with improvements. I thank all for their tireless Jaguars 1 Redsox 9 dedication and giving of important personal and family Wilston Grange 1 Saints 13 time to make the Association ever successful. PCYC 1 Sharks 1 Grounds PK 1 Waratahs 6 BSA operates eighteen diamonds on Downey Park Wildcats 2 Springwood 5 which include the following; Royals 1 Samford 4 1 International skinned diamond under lights Bears 10 1 senior diamond under lights 2009 also saw BSA host a slow pitch carnival day for 9 Senior Diamonds Queensland Health. Six teams representing hospitals from across the metropolitan area competed. The day 7 Junior Diamonds was a success with expression of interest received in The new skin surface on Diamond 1, including the participating in regular slow pitch competition at home run fence warning track has proven to be a Downey Park. success, providing for great competition. Improvement BSA hosted a very successful Under 16 Championships to the indoor training facility, including installation of in September 2009. The venue truly looked the two softball/baseball pitching machines has seen ‘carnival atmosphere’. The hard working project team increased utilization of the facility. A trial of synthetic did an excellent job of preparing the venue, which grass in batting boxes at some diamonds will be held in looked a treat as well conducting the championship 2010/2011 season. If successful, further use of itself. synthetic surfaces will be considered in consultation with QSA and joint tenants Brisbane Hockey Association. Grants see the Association prosper and continue to be Club Development $5000 successful. Key to future success is increasing The association completed its Strategic Plan participation at both junior and senior levels. The under this program Association will explore opportunities to increase Telstra Community Volunteers participation in existing formats as well as offering Received $1000 other competition formats in order to attract new Woolworths Community Grant $5000 participants. Application pending approval Community Gambling Fund $25,000 Application pending approval for equipment BUNDABERG Dept of Families and Housing – Volunteers Grants Program Membership Unsuccessful Overall participation has increased Academy with many new members in our men's Both the QSA and BSA Academy continued to develop. grade and quite a few new faces in the The Under Fourteen Regional Academy Program volunteer ranks. The men’s proved extremely successful under the direction of competition was increased from 4 teams to 6 teams this year. Head Coach Dave Elder. The program and activities were very well coordinated and professionally Highlights – Reps delivered with very positive feedback received from Representative teams performed admirably well with participants. Special thanks in particular go to Shane many teams competing in State Semi Finals. From the Sirett, Deanne and Mick Gregory for their tireless several players making Qld Teams it was the 2 boys who efforts and contribution to making the program such a shone to be selected in Australian U19 Squads for the success. 2010 will see the Board consider a number of upcoming Friendships Series. These boys have bright proposals to enhance what is proving a very successful futures in our game – Lyam McKay and Sam Daff. initiative. Publicity Junior Development The Bundaberg Newsmail and Just Sports Website are The Diamonds Development Under Twelve program fantastic ambassadors for our sport. The coverage, powered on under the stewardship of Brooke Wilkins. including full back page exploits of our game, provides a Junior players underwent high quality development wonderful showcase of our sport. Occasional television opportunities with a number of players selected to coverage is also well received from the local community participate in Academy development as well as on the Six O’clock News. Brisbane Red and White training programs. Technical Areas Unfortunately, this years development tournament was Coaching – Development has seen a strong growth in not held due to poor weather, however the increased the coaching ranks. BSA introduced a scheme in which team registration, 16 teams, indicates the ongoing any coach not presently levelled were to attend clinics appeal of the program. held by our Coaching Director. The beginners course Sponsors /Partnerships had many participants with quite a number progressing The 2009/2010 saw Leading Edge partner with the to attain level 1 certification. Association by establishing a Pro-Shop at Downey Park, Scoring – A scoring clinic was held towards the latter providing convenient access to first class equipment as half of the season with a good rollout. Several new well as assisting with the operation of the indoor scorers attaining their first level with a number of training facility. others looking to complete level 2. Deb McColm Memorial Umpiring – The umpiring crew has done wonderfully All were deeply saddened by the passing of President well with recruitment and education of several Deb McColm. A commemorative service was held in members. There are quite a number obtaining their first recognition of Debs service to softball over many years. levels as well as a few gaining higher levels at State Championships. The service, held in February 2010, was very well attended and involved past and present players in a Junior Development dedication game that saw over $1500 raised for the Encouraging signs are showing through with the up Cancer Foundation. Deb’s legacy to softball was skilling of coaches and new junior games. Most of the honoured by the naming of Diamond 1 dugout and current advances have been centred around the establishment of the Diamond Development Trophy introduction of machine ball and modified under 12 perpetual trophy in her name. rules. A highly successful high school competition was Association Objectives held at the BSA’s ground this year with participation of lots of new softballers. Brisbane Softball faces challenges similar to that of other Associations. The Strategic Plan provides a road map of prioritised objectives that, when achieved, will Facilities Facilities A concerted effort was made for the upgrade of current The grant monies were able to: facilities: Reconstruct the canteen and install all new Full rebuild of Diamond 1 Back Net improved appliances Re-wire of all Diamond Back Nets and increase of Refit amenities block to be 5 star water efficient height on Diamond 4 Kitchenette to meeting room 8 new dugouts nearly completed for all four main PA to service the complete complex diamonds Re-concrete and reconstruct 18 dug-outs with high Enclosure built for safe storage of maintenance back net to diamond 5 items Groundsman shed (9m x 6m) Continuous work with lots of effort in upgrading Spectator seating to each diamond playing surfaces Lighting upgrade to diamonds 4 & 5 at the end of 2010 season Future Our main challenge is to continue to grow the sport and Junior Development build solid competitions. Encouragement of more T/Ball players became a part of a new CSSA Junior volunteers to our sport to spread the load. Looking at Development Concept where the association conducts funding requirements to further enhance the facilities training stations for ¾ hour each Saturday, then players at hand. Threats always exist with other sports growing are graded into teams of equal ability and games are and seasons lengthening impacting on sport. played. First time U12 are also able to participate in the training and then play in their own grade. With half the CABOOLTURE season already unfolded the feed-back from clubs and Membership parents has all been positive. Junior membership fluctuates CSSA involvement in the North Coast Regional Softball yearly with players elevating Academy has reignited a spark into club coaches to be through different grades.