CONTENTS Softball NSW Positions 2 President Report 4 Blacktown City Council Message 6 Operations Report 8 Director of Scoring 10 Director of Umpiring 11 Director of Coaching 13 Financial Statements 15 Affiliate Reports 33 State Championship Results 53 NSW State Teams 59 2018 Award Winners 63 Softball NSW Sponsors & Partners 64 This report is for the period 1 July 2018 until 30th June 2019 Softball NSW Positions President 1 SOFTBALL NSW POSITIONS BOARD MEMBERS LIFE MEMBERS President Loretta Watts Mrs Pat Young* Mrs Joyce Merret* Vice-President Dianne McGowen Miss Ruth Preddey* Finance Director Christine Halpin Mrs Dulcie Isted* Mrs Doris Simmonds* Frances Crampton AM Miss Edna Nash* James English Mrs Shirley Fogarty* Craig Oberg Miss Joan Fitton Nathan Organ (until February 2019) Mrs Ilma Burke* Donna Shaw (from March 2019) Mrs Yvonne Edwards* Kristina Travers Mrs Glenda Leedham Selwyn Williams Miss Dawn Young Miss Pat Rawlings OAM* Miss Judy Phelps OAM Mr Alan Burke* Mrs Leonie Ruddy* STAFF MEMBERS Ms Kay Thompson Chief Executive Officer David Whittaker (Nov 2018 - June 2019) Ms Carole Peel Operations & Events Cathy Kerr Mr Harvey Milson Development Officer Donna McGrath Mrs Neidra Hill OAM Events Co-ordinator Sandra Oldham (until Nov 2018) Mr Darrell Shephard Venue & Projects Jody Neilsen (until Oct 2018) Mr Andrew Dodshon Finance & Purchasing Rachel Krajsic (from Sept 2018) Mrs Susan Rindfleish Finance Consultant Michael Hannelly (until Dec 2018) (*Deceased) Database Support Lynne Townsend Media Andrew McMutry (Oct 2018) Admin Support Lesa Straker (until Dec 2018) Lauren Keith (from June 2019) High Performance John Crampton 2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT & MAYOR OF BLACKTOWN MESSAGE 3 International Sportspark. The all new format comprises PRESIDENT’S REPORT loaded bases, three innings, shorter fences, 60-second changeover between innings, with all the best bits of the The year in review and what a great year it has been game wrapped up within an hour. • Appointment of a CEO with the assistance of a Metropolitan and Country Affiliate NSW continues to field the most players in national teams. • Current Development Officer Donna McGrath now We had 8/17 in the Junior Spirit Women’s Team with full time 2 officials including Kerrie Porter as Head Coach and • The appointment of two additional Development Neridah Wearne as assistant Coach. In the Junior Aussie officers for six months who will focus on Schools Steelers we had 8 players, Adam Rindfleish (Assistant • Employment of an administration person and Canteen Coach) and Tony Mackie (Video Analyst). We have 5/17 in Manager the Aussie Steelers Team with Adam Rindfleish (Assistant • Have a full Board of 9 with a good coverage of skills Coach) and Tony Mackie (Video Analyst). NSW has 12/30 • Hosted 2 National Championships with Kerrie Porter in the Travelodge Aussie Spirit Squad, • Hosted the Asia Pacific Cup who are preparing for the Olympic qualifying event to be • Hosted the Summer Slam – which has led to the new held in China in September. “Fully Loaded” Softball program • Appointed a Coaching Director and established a Congratulations to all State and National team Coaches standing committee representatives – players and officials. • Reviewed all Policies and Procedures • Set up our softball headquarters at BISP as an elite Tributes & Recognition training centre with cameras, IT. At the NSW Sports Awards Kyira Cox was a finalist for • Enhanced BISP event presentation – new and Official of the Year and the NSW Firestars were finalists for improved scoreboard capacity, live streaming to the Team of the Year. world • Working with BVM/BCC in establishing an elite At the NSW Community Sports Awards the Finalists training facility at BISP with sports medical centre were Lachlan Smith – Young Official of the Year, Lesley which will be available to any Softball group Darby – Volunteer Director of the Year, Blake Jackson – • Signed an Memorandum of Understanding with the Young Coach of the Year, Blacktown Junior International Sporting High Schools Association Challenge – Event of the Year and Brian Higinbotham – • Currently renegotiating our headquarters lease with Distinguished Long Service Award. BVM and BCC Melanie Roche was inducted into the NSW Hall of NSW continues to be the premier State with wins in, U15 Champions and becomes the 3rd Softballer inducted. Regional Girls (Metro Green), U17 Girls, U19 Women, Melanie joins Fiona Crawford and Natalie Ward to be Open Women and we were runners up in U17 Boys, U19 honoured Men, U23 Women, U23 Men and Open Men. The U15 Regional Boys teams - Orange were 3rd ,Country were 4th This was a great year for Stacey Porter who became the and Green were 6th. The other U15 Regional Girls results most capped Softballer, overtaking Natalie Ward for this were Metro Orange 3rd and Country Gold 10th honour. 2019 started with the hosting of the U19 Australian Softball NSW would like to congratulate James English Championships, followed by the the Asia Pacific Cup receiving his WBSC Umpiring Certification and Summer Slam. An extremely busy time for staff and volunteers all of whom we thank for their respective Last but not least I would like to congratulate and thank contributions to the success of these 4 events. Cathy Kerr who has been with Softball NSW for 30 years this year and she continues to be the back bone of the office. For the second year the Asia Pacific Cup (APC) was held Her knowledge of the sport and the operations of Softball at BISP. This was followed by the introduction of Summer NSW is exemplary. Slam – fully loaded softball. It was fitting that this was held in the best Softball facility in Australia. We welcomed the Congratulations to all the above for your respective teams Aussie Spirit, Australia A, China, Chinese Taipei contributions in keeping NSW at the forefront of Australian Italy, Japan and New Zealand for the Asia Pacific Cup Softball (APC). Board of Directors The learning opportunities for Coaches and aspiring I would like to thank the Board Members this year for players again this year was something not to be missed. their hard work and diligence during a very difficult I would encourage you all to come to BISP in January and year. early February to watch some incredible Softball being played. The APC was followed by the world first Fully Loaded Softball tournament held at Blacktown 4 Your current board members are Dianne McGowen - Vice This state of the art facility puts the Olympic Softball President, Christine Halpin - Finance Director, Krissi venue in a position to: - Be the premier Australian venue Travis - Human Resources, Craig Oberg - IT, James for spectator entertainment experience - Have World class English – Legal, Donna Shaw – Member Protection, training facilities attractive to Asia Pacific nations - Be the Frances Crampton – Governance and Selwyn Williams – Regional Centre for Softball performance related research, School and of course the writer Loretta Watts - President. and - A Centre of Excellence for Softball coaching, officiating and elite player development. The above people are people who have been in Softball for a long time and understand the game we all love. They Sponsors & Partners want nothing more than to help grow the profile of our All our sponsors and partners are featured elsewhere in sport. this report. Their support is most appreciated and in turn we ask you the members to support them. I specifically A special thank you to Frances Crampton for her dedication highlight our two major supporters NSW Office of Sport, to Softball over the last seven years as a Board Member Sport and Recreation for their ongoing support and and former President of Softball NSW. We wish you all the guidance and Blacktown City Council/Blacktown Venue best for the future. Management. To Dianne McGowen and Kristina Travis thank you also The facilities at Blacktown are still the best in Australia and for your contribution to the Board and Softball. We wish recognised worldwide. This is evident from the number both of you all the best for the future. of Nations, particularly Japan, Chinese Taipei (Open and U19), New Zealand, China, Italy, Washington Huskies, The Board have been working with Softball Australia on Japan Elementary Schools, that utilise the facilities for committees that are discussing the One Softball Model. training and participate in events at BISP. The Committees are Organisation Structure, Governance We particularly thank Stephen Bali, the Mayor of (Board) and Finance. Although these committees Blacktown for his enthusiasm and support. commenced in February we do not have enough information to report back to the Affiliates as yet. We will Softball Australia continue to work in conjunction with Softball Australia to SNSW maintains our independence and have taken the get the best possible outcome for all. “Unified Behaviours” approach which we have clearly demonstrated with the following: Staff • Aligned Strategic Plan – after community consultation I would like to welcome Softball NSW new CEO, Daniel the SNSW 2018-2022 Strategic Plan was adopted at the Rushworth who joins us from Touch Football NSW. Daniel end of January 2018 and aligns with the SAL strategic commenced with Softball NSW on 26th August 2019. plan. I thank Doug Freeman Manly Warringah Association, • Aligned Policies and Procedures. The Board reviews all Chris Hall Wagga Wagga Association and Chris Halpin policies and procedures on an annual basis and confirms, for assisting with the interview process for the CEO. amends or develops as required. As much as State legislation permits we align with SAL. Softball NSW has completed the staff restructure and have • National Insurance Policy. the following staff working at the office. • National database/CRM. Cathy Kerr – Operations and Events Manager, Donna • National cascading website. McGrath – Development Officer, Rachel Krajsic – Finance, • Adoption of SAL physical testing protocols for elite Stephen Maxwell - Development Officer, Tom Whirledge - players.