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Table of Contents

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT .......................................................................................................................... 1

CEO’S REPORT ...................................................................................................................................... 4

MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION ............................................................ 8

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE .......................................................................................................... 9

OUR COMMITTEES .............................................................................................................................. 10

MEMBER RECOGNITION ..................................................................................................................... 11

SPORTING SCHOOLS ......................................................................................................................... 14

MARKETING ......................................................................................................................................... 17

HIGH PERFORMANCE ......................................................................................................................... 19

EVENTS ................................................................................................................................................ 24

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................. 26

MYSOFTBALL COMMUNITY ................................................................................................................ 31

MEMBERSHIP ...................................................................................................................................... 34

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ............................................................................................................ 36

TECHNICAL .......................................................................................................................................... 39

SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA LIFE MEMBERS ............................................................................................ 50

SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ....................................................................... 51

ISF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ......................................................................................................... 56

TEAMS AND SQUADS .......................................................................................................................... 58

INTERNATIONAL RESULTS ................................................................................................................ 60

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS .......................................................................................... 62

OTHER RESULTS................................................................................................................................. 70

SPONSORS AND PROVIDERS ............................................................................................................ 75

Level 1, Suite 2, 273 Wellington Street, Collingwood VIC 3066 T 03 9417 0022 www.softball.org.au Softball Australia Ltd ACN 092 181 318

Image credit Ngurra Kujungka and Softball WA

VISION

By 2017, to be a thriving, innovative and inclusive sport with at least 5% annual growth.

MISSION

To grow softball, for all, for life, together.

VALUES

We are inclusive, innovative, collaborative, professional and act with integrity.

Page 1 of 76

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

In my first report as Chairman of Softball Australia in 2015, I predicted that

2015/16 would be pivotal for Australian softball across a number of key

areas, and I believe that prediction was very accurate. Consistent with that

report, it is important to again provide an overview on progress against our

Whole of Softball Strategic Plan, which provides the road map for

collaboration between Softball Australia, Member States, associations and

clubs on our key priorities.

GROWING PARTICIPATION

For the first time in 20 years we have achieved

annual growth in our member base – a growth

of 1.61%.

Our number one priority is to grow softball

participation in Australia and we achieved that

in 2015/16. This outcome is testament to a

number of the strategies listed below, not the

least of which is the collective increased

awareness of participation and the singular

focus in supporting our clubs at the grassroots

level. The 1.61% growth is a small, but very

significant turning point for softball in Australia

and we must continue to stay the course as we

better build capacity on the ground. Our total

participation (including membership, national

and school programs) in Australia is 127,618

which we need to build on to ensure that we

are engaging and retaining all of those

participants.

Indigenous Softball Program

Softball continues to be the most popular sport

amongst Indigenous females and we will

continue to grow our program delivery, and

work closely with state and federal government

departments to build better resources to

facilitate delivery of the Indigenous Softball

Program.

Social 7s

The popularity of Social 7s is now evident with

over 1,500 new participants in the reporting

year. We will continue to grow this fun, fast

and easy format of the game as it provides a

level of flexibility required to compete in an

ever-expanding sporting environment. In

2016/17, we will continue to explore the viability

of commercial providers delivering this great

product.

Junior Participation - Sporting Schools

Program/School sport internal delivery

The introduction of the Australian Sports

Commission’s (ASC) Sporting Schools

Program in 2015 has been an outstanding

success for our sport, with softball currently

ranked in the top 10 sports delivered. The

large numbers of student participation through

the Sporting Schools Program has presented a

huge government funded opportunity for us

nationally. The Sporting Schools Program

gives Softball Australia an avenue in which we

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can introduce school participants to the

fundamentals for softball, and allow for

engagement with schools for membership

transition opportunities. To achieve this we

must continue to leverage best practice at state

and local level in establishing strong links to

school competitions and retaining those

participants.

Consistent with the opportunity that presents

with our enormous school participant numbers

we must better connect our clubs and

associations with local school communities and

competitions. A key aspect of this challenge is

that our historic geographic locations do not

necessarily match the biggest population

growth areas in Australia and we must shift our

service provision into those new growth

corridors.

Through better data capture we are now

coming to understand just how big our school

participation is nationally and our tracking

places us in excess of 66,000 participants. The

66,000 school competition participants together

with an estimated 12,000+ Sporting Schools

participants is our biggest single participation

opportunity.

2020 OLYMPIC GAMES

At the time of writing this Report, we received

news that softball will be one of five sports to

be included in the 2020 Summer Olympics in

Japan (softball and baseball to be included

under the banner of diamond sports). Softball

was an Olympic sport from 1996-2008, during

which time our women’s team performed

outstandingly: 1996 in Atlanta – bronze, 2000

in Sydney – bronze, 2004 in Athens – silver

and 2008 in Beijing – bronze.

Olympic re-entry is an incredible opportunity for

our women to again participate and excel on

the greatest competitive stage in the world. We

will need to strengthen our ties with Baseball

Australia and work tirelessly to realise the

benefits that this inclusion could deliver across

all levels of our sport – including participation

growth.

HIGH PERFORMANCE

A review of our High Performance program was

completed in November 2015, with initial

outcomes implemented in early 2016. This has

resulted in a better resourced program to

ensure best practice and maximise our national

teams’ performance.

The International Down Under Series provided

the opportunity for our national women’s team

to compete against world class competitors –

Japan National Team and Toyota Red Terriers.

We are actively exploring a potential Asian

regional competition.

We were fortunate to secure media exposure

through Fox Sports for the Open Women’s

National Softball Championship and Down

Under Series and will endeavour to raise the

profile of our sport through this medium.

Our stakeholder and member communication

has improved and will continue to do so on the

back of the mySoftball Community

implementation and adoption. We are

strengthening ties with all major external

agencies and are making better use of social

media, marketing and public relations. Our

relationships with corporate Australia are

improving and there are a number of current

and potential corporate partners with who we

are engaging.

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

We are highly focussed on developing clubs

and associations and to that end one of our

biggest wins has been implementation of our

Association Coordinators positions, co-funded

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by Softball Australia and Member States. The

Coordinators work closely with club and

association administrators to strengthen their

recruitment and retention capability, through

completion of Club Health Checks and Action

Plans to improve processes.

The Homeplate website, designed to support

affiliates in starting, running and growing clubs

and associations, provides excellent resources,

best practice examples and templates and the

high number of registered member

organisations reflects the value of this

resource.

ORGANISATION

Due to scale and structure a number of States

and Territories are challenged in terms of

governance and resourcing to the extent that

we must start to challenge the sustainability of

our existing model. We must be creative with

our potential solutions and look at what other

sports have achieved in order to address

similar challenges, otherwise our national

footprint and reach may be seriously

compromised.

Our biggest win in this portfolio was the

implementation of a National Insurance

Program that will deliver significant cost-benefit

to all members. We also implemented a

shared services model across some key

administration aspects in a number of states.

Like many sports, softball still receives

disproportionally high government income. Our

existing annual Federal Government High

Performance funding is directly linked to our

Olympic podium potential, so it is important that

our women’s program continues to be

competitive at the highest level. A submission

to the ASC for participation re-classification –

driven by our participation numbers – has been

submitted, however if we are not successful,

our annual funding will reduce in 2016/17. This

reinforces the need for us to collectively

explore sustainable non-government revenue

and opportunities for us to exploit our products

commercially to generate licencing income (eg

Social 7s) and deliver a more compelling

proposition to stimulate substantial corporate

sponsorship.

In closing I’d like to acknowledge the

leadership of Chet Gray who, as CEO,

effectively leads our strategic and operational

activities. I also continue to acknowledge the

State Presidents and their Boards for their

unwavering commitment to grow the sport of

softball in Australia.

I also extend my thanks and gratitude to the

Softball Australia staff for their tireless efforts

and dedication; and to our volunteers – thank

you for your continued support.

Congratulations to our 2015 Hall of Fame

inductees: Leigh Evans (Vic), Michael

Titheradge (WA) and Life Member inductee,

Michael Hannelly (NSW).

Thank you to my fellow national directors.

They continue to work tirelessly in support of

Chet and the Softball Australia staff.

We have a very exciting year ahead of us and

we should all feel extremely proud of the

outcomes achieved to date, and look

collectively towards a positive 2016/17 and

continuing to grow the sport of softball in

Australia.

John Hollingsworth

Chairman

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CEO’S REPORT

The second year of the current Strategic Plan has seen continued

progress made towards developing and building organisational

sustainability. This in turn maximises efficiencies and delivers financial

diversity through increased participation and develops clubs and

associations to manage membership growth.

GROWING PARTICIPATION

Through better data capture we are coming to

understand just how big softball participation is

nationally.

Our stakeholder and member communication

has improved and will gain real traction on the

back of the mySoftball Community

implementation and adoption. We are

strengthening ties with all major external

agencies and are making better use of social

media, marketing and PR.

Through better data capture we are coming to

understand just how big softball participation is

nationally and this year we saw a significant

increase of participation numbers, totalling

127,618. We achieved for the first time in

almost two decades a very conservative growth

in membership at 1.61%.

One of the most significant successes this year

was softball achieving a top ten ranking in

Sporting Schools Program delivery. The large

numbers that are materialising in Sporting

Schools softball participants in the first three

terms have presented government funded

opportunity for us nationally.

Events

At the Open Men’s National Softball

Championship, NSW won their first title since

1994, and at the Open Women’s National

Softball Championship, Qld Heat defeated

NSW Firestars.

The U19 Men’s and Women’s and U17 Boys’

and Girls’ National Softball Championships

were won by NSW.

The U15 Girls' Regional Softball Championship

saw NSW Metro Orange defeat NSW Metro

Green, and the U15 Boys' Regional Softball

Championship resulted in Qld Storm defeating

NSW Orange.

Softball Australia hosted two Down Under

Series in February at Blacktown International

Sportspark, which showcased our national

teams against Japan and New Zealand’s

national women’s teams and the Toyota Red

Terriers women’s professional team. We are

delighted that the Japan National Team has

committed to taking part in the Down Under

Series for the next three years. We envisage

including national teams from China, Korea and

Page 5 of 76

Chinese Taipei in this event, bringing much

needed international competition to Australia.

The inaugural 2016 Australia Cup took place in

NSW, with softballers of all ages and abilities

coming together for a weekend of fun and

excitement. Twenty-seven teams registered

across four age categories: Open Women,

U13, U15 and U17 girls. These teams

participated in three days of competition at

Blacktown International Sportspark and the

Jacqui Osmond Softball Centre.

The Australia Cup aims to be bigger and better

in 2017 with the foundations laid for a

sustainable and rewarding event for many

years to come.

In July 2015, the Australian U19 Women’s

Team, Aussie Pride, competed at the WBSC

Junior Women’s Softball World Championship

in Saskatoon, Canada, finishing seventh.

DEVELOPING CLUBS AND

ASSOCIATIONS

mySoftball Community project

In the first full year of implementation of

mySoftball Community, we were able to

achieve 22,927 online registrations, which

accounted for 89% of our total membership,

when compared to last year’s numbers. We

migrated over 190 websites and tested the

Competition Module, which will be completed in

the next financial year. In excess of 400

individuals attended more than 40 training

sessions throughout Australia, conducted by

Matthew Horne over a six month period. This

suite of technology has provided great benefits

to everyone, including online registration,

secure online payment option, real-time

information, payment splitting, and permit and

clearance management.

The dedicated club development website,

Homeplate, has proven to be very successful

this year, providing resources designed to

support affiliates in starting, running or growing

their club or association. We currently have

over 293 registrations on the Homeplate

website. Additionally, to support the

improvement of clubs and associations, the

National Affiliation Standards Checklist was

developed and implemented this year, with

over 40 clubs/associations completing the

checklist.

We have continued the Association

Coordinators program this year with the aim of

providing affiliates with tailored support to

become more effective, efficient and

sustainable. Club/Association Coordinators

were appointed in NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic and

WA. The Club/ Association Coordinators have

achieved the following results:

$397,550 in funding secured to go

towards facility development

improvements and equipment

144 Club Health Checks completed

82 strategic, operational, financial and

marketing plans developed

15-20% increase in participation

programs and recruitment initiatives

implemented.

ORGANISATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY

Finance and Management

Softball Australia remains in a stable financial

position with operating revenue and total equity

again increasing for the year. Cash reserves

ensure the organisation is on a solid financial

footing and, with the Board and management of

Softball Australia committed to comprehensive

fiscal management, the business financial

status is steady. However, we are yet to make

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real inroads into growing non-government

revenue. This is a risk for the organisation,

which will need to be addressed this year

through leveraging the commercial assets of

the sport and implementing sound commercial

strategies.

We finalised the implementation of a National

Insurance Program through V- Insurance,

which will deliver cost benefits to all members.

Marketing and Media

Our social media platforms continue to have

significant impact with member engagement

and the softball community. This year we had

2,776 Twitter followers, 1,399 Instagram

followers 9,539 Facebook likes and 414 new

YouTube subscribers, with over 121,000 views

on this platform.

Our Member Benefits Program was launched in

December. The cost was an additional $6,

entitling members to discounts on every day

purchases, such as petrol, groceries,

restaurants and movies. The value of the

benefits package to each member is worth over

$2,000 a year. This year we had over 200

people sign up to the program. We are working

with The Pegasus Group to develop an

incentive program to reinvigorate membership

for the coming year.

We launched the Softball Australia Business

Networking to identify and unite like-minded

businesses that appreciate and follow softball.

It is a program to attract new sponsors to grow

their business through connections made from

softball.

Softball Australia hosted three business

networking functions this year. The first two

were breakfast functions, which we used as

learning opportunities, before we delivered the

first of a series of three professional business

luncheons around the Olympic announcement

of the re-inclusion of softball for the 2020 Tokyo

Games. We envisage taking this event to each

state next year to promote softball’s return to

the Olympics and engage with potential

sponsors.

Three games were taped for broadcasting on

Fox Sports: the Gilley’s Shield Final, a feature

game of the International Down Under Series

between Australia Gold and Japan’s national

team and the John Reid Shield final.

Viewership on Fox Sports for these games was

over 60,000.

We live-streamed a feature game for the first

time, during the Invitational Down Under

Series, with broadcast quality that included

commentators and replays.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Congratulations to Softball Australia Hall of

Fame inductees, Leigh Evans (Vic), Michael

Titheradge (WA) and Life Member inductee,

Michael Hannelly (NSW).

Softball Australia welcomed new staff members

Jane Wang, ICT Coordinator and Sophie

Moore, Sporting Schools Coordinator. We also

continued our successful internship program,

which has seen eight interns assisting with club

development, marketing and events.

We also welcomed a new Board member,

Fiona Crawford, appointed in October.

Page 7 of 76

On behalf of Softball Australia, I would also like

to acknowledge the staff and volunteers of all

host associations for the National

Championships and Events for their hard work

in providing the facilities and infra-structure for

such events to take place.

It would also be remiss of me not to take this

opportunity to thank our wonderful band of loyal

partners:

Australian Sports Commission

Australian Institute of Sport

Accor

Choice Hotels

Easton

JLT

Greatrex Sporting Goods

Stage and Screen travel service

Sportslink International

Envisio Plans at Work

NSR Australia

Flourish PR

My appreciation is extended to the Directors, staff, volunteers and all life members at state, association

and club levels for their ongoing support and contribution of Softball Australia and our Member States,

who continue to make a very valuable contribution to management and governance of the sport in

Australia. Your hard work, dedication and passion is acknowledged and will continue to be required as

we take softball forward together.

Softball is heading into a new era both on and off the diamond. With the International Olympic

Committee’s recent decision regarding the inclusion of softball on the Olympic Program for 2020, it is

the responsibility of all stakeholders in the game to unite to tackle the immediate challenges confronting

us. Such challenges include ensuring that the game stays relevant for the next generation and

providing quality participation and pathway opportunities for both the recreational competitor and future

national team representative.

Chet Gray

Softball Australia CEO

Page 8 of 76

MESSAGE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION

The past year has seen has seen considerable success and progress for Australian sport, as the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and national sporting organisations (NSOs) continue to build on our nation’s proud sporting tradition.

The Government’s 2014–15 investment of nearly $120 million into

Australian sport continues to be refined to ensure funding is aligned to

sports with the greatest potential to contribute to Australia’s Winning Edge

2012–2022 targets, and drive greater participation outcomes for sport.

The sporting landscape has changed rapidly in recent years, as have the options for people’s scarce

leisure time. More than ever before, sport faces tough competition for our attention from electronic

media and other sedentary pursuits.

In March the Commission launched Play.Sport.Australia. — our plan to help NSOs build participation in

sport and make sure all Australians enjoy its benefits. Sports have the opportunity to attract more than

4.5 million Australians into their communities. It’s important that we work together to ensure that more

Australians, particularly young Australians, participate in sport more often and that we have strong

sporting organisations that deliver the products and opportunities Australians want.

Other highlights in 2014–15 included:

The transition to Sporting Schools and the development of its website — the main portal

for sporting organisations, schools, coaches and parents to access this $100 million program

which aims to reach more than 850,000 children.

The development of the AusPlay survey — The ASC has committed to introducing a new

national survey to better understand how Australians engage with, and play, sport. Good

decisions require good data and this initiative by the ASC is critical.

And through Australia’s Winning Edge we will continue to give our athletes the best chances at

international success.

So now, more than ever, we have a clear plan to make sure all Australians enjoy sport and maximise

our chances of success. On behalf of the ASC I thank you for your hard work in helping us achieve

these goals and I look forward to working with you in to the future.

John Wylie AM Chair Australian Sports Commission

Page 9 of 76

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

Board of Directors

John Hollingsworth (Chairman) Dennis Cullen

Helen Langenberg Annette Fidge

Fiona Crawford (appt 13 Oct 15) Michelle Nancarrow (resigned 11 Oct 15)

Christine Heron Peter Jon Hartshorne

Ron Gauci

Staff

Chet Gray Chief Executive Officer

Jim Dorash (dept April 16) Marketing Manager

Matthew Horne (dept June 16) mySoftball Community Manager

Ben Utting Sports Development Manager

Tony Milligan National Teams’ Operations Manager

Helen Davis Office Manager

Jane Wang (com Sept 15) ICT Coordinator

Shane Cantelmi Product Development Coordinator

Fabian Barlow (com Dec 15) Australian Women’s Head Coach

Tim Hatzi Club and Community Development Coordinator

Joanne Paez Participation Coordinator

Hari Prasad Financial Controller

Nicole Chen (dept May 16) Finance Assistant

Brooke Wilkins Technical Project Coordinator

Richard Costantino Teams’ and Events Administrator

Margo Koskelainen OAM Honorary Softball Australia Historian

Kylie Bloodworth Social Media

Rafael Martins (dept July 15) ICT Coordinator

State Executive Officers

Jon Wells (ACT) Cathy Kerr (NSW)

Nicky Baldwin (NT) Sue Nisbet (Qld)

James Harris (SA) John Milbourne (Tas)

Sara Dailey (Vic) Dean Burton (WA)

Page 10 of 76

OUR COMMITTEES

FINANCE COMMITTEE Annette Fidge, Committee Chair Dennis Cullen Chet Gray Hari Prasad John Hollingsworth

NATIONAL SCORING COMMITTEE Ngaire Huston (Qld) – Chief Statistician Michael Hannelly (NSW) Lindy Rattigan (SA) Kirsty Andrews (Qld) Sandra Palmer (NSW) Chris Trengove (Vic)

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE Christine Heron, Committee Chair Chet Gray Helen Langenberg John Hollingsworth

NATIONAL UMPIRING COMMITTEE Patricia Sibraa (Qld) National UIC/UIC Operations Leigh Evans (Vic) UIC – Technical Debbie Grove (Vic) UIC – Development Amanda Houison (NSW) UIC – Communication Bridget Cameron (Qld) Communications Kyira Cox (NSW) Communications Yvonne Kahler (Qld) Development Darren Sibraa (Qld) Technical

NATIONAL EVENTS COMMITTEE Richard Costantino (Softball Australia) Jim Dorash (Softball Australia) (dept April 16) Kere Johanson (Open Women’s Head Coach) (dept Oct 15) Tricia Sibraa (Qld) Ngaire Houston (Qld) Steve Trzcinski (SA) Cathy Kerr (NSW) Sue Nisbet (Qld) Sheryl Burnie (Tas)

PRESIDENTS’ COMMISSION John Hollingsworth Peter Jon Hartshorne Phillip Powell (ACT) Frances Crampton (NSW) Kelli Reinke (NT) Mark Jeppesen (Qld) Steve Trzcinski (SA) Sheryl Burnie (Tas) Jenny Holliday AM (Vic) Gary Butler (WA)

HIGH PERFORMANCE ADVISORY GROUP Dennis Cullen (Director) Fiona Crawford (Director) Chet Gray (Softball Australia) Fabian Barlow (Open Women’s Head Coach) Joyce Lester (Qld) Kerrie Porter (U19 Women’s Head Coach) Bob Crudgington (Qld) Shaun Stephens (AIS)

PRODUCTS COMMITTEE Annette Fidge (Director) Christine Heron (Director) Ben Utting (Softball Australia) Joanne Paez (Softball Australia) Shane Cantelmi (Softball Australia) Jody Neilsen (NSW) Kerrie Laverick (Vic) Erin Sandford (Qld) Kelsey Knuckey (SA)

MARKETING & FUNDRAISING John Hollingsworth (Director) Peter Jon Hartshorne (Director) Ron Gauci (Director) Fiona Crawford (Director) Chet Gray (Softball Australia) Ben Utting (Softball Australia) Jim Dorash (Softball Australia) (dept April 2016) Roger Maddern (Vic) Jason Greenhalgh (Qld)

HISTORY & RECOGNITION COMMITTEE Jo Paez (Softball Australia) Kylie Bloodworth (Softball Australia) Margo Koskelainen OAM (Vic) Mark Jeppesen (Qld) Neville Lawrence (SA) Audrey McLaughlin AM (Qld)

Page 11 of 76

MEMBER RECOGNITION

2015 Softball Australia Hall of Fame Inductees

Leigh Evans (Vic), Michael Titheradge (WA)

2015 ISF Hall of Fame Recipients

Mike Harrow (ACT), Marissa Warburton (Carpadios) (Qld), Neville Lawrance (SA)

2015 Softball Australia Service Awards

The Softball Australia Service Award recognises significant contributions by any member (player or

non-player) who has given at least 10 years noteworthy service to softball in Australia.

Queensland Neville Baggow, Sarah Bent, Mick Gorman, Shane Stephenson, Kim

Wakeham, Richard Wakeham

Western Australia Julie Beresford, Frank Bowra, Robert Brown, Albert Dumaresq, Bart

Lethlean, Jenny Massimini, Perry New, Dave Pooley, Lynn Pooley, Kerry

Rispoli, Geoff Shaw, Kath Wylie, Karen Sullivan, Paul Torretti

2015 VIVIENNE TRIPLETT UMPIRE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Graeme Love (Qld)

ISF HALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS

Mike Harrow

Mike Harrow had a long and distinguished international softball career,

representing Australia from 1990 to 2009.

Captaining the Aussie Steelers from 2001 until 2009, Mike played in

five Open Men’s World Championships (1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 and

2009). Allocated player number 21, Mike is the most capped men’s

player with 160 international games.

Mike represented Softball ACT at 22 consecutive Open Men’s National

Softball Championships from 1988 to 2009, during which time they

won nine national titles. Mike has received three awards at national championships; Most Valuable

Player 1995 and 2008 and Best Batter in 2004. A talented sportsman, Mike also had an extensive

international career playing ice hockey, representing Australia at four World Championships from 1997

to 2001.

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Mike retired after captaining the Aussie Steelers to their first ever World Championship win in 2009.

Marissa Warburton (Carpadios)

Marissa debuted for Australia in 1997 at the Qantas Challenge in Brisbane.

She was the 185th player to represent Australia and played a total of 175

games in an international career that spanned 10 years. Marissa

represented Australia at the 2002 and 2006 World Championships and

won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Throughout her distinguished playing career, Marissa assisted in the

development of a number of aspiring players. Following her retirement

after the2006 World Championship in China, she was appointed as a

Specialist Coach with the Aussie Pride, Australian U19 Women’s team, for the VIII ISF Junior Women’s

World Championship in 2007. Marissa also played a vital role in the development of catchers within

Queensland and presented at Softball Queensland Coaching Forums.

Neville Lawrance

Neville had an international umpiring career spanning more than 15

years, achieving ISF certification as umpire number 772.

Neville attended 14 international events, including the 1998

Women’s World Championship in Fujinomiya, Japan and the 2004

Athens Olympic Games. At a number of these events, Neville was

either a Tournament Chief Umpire (TCU), Deputy TCU or Clinician.

Since 2005, Neville has been a member of Softball South Australia’s

National Championship and Masters Championship Organising

Committees..

At the national level, Neville attended 32 junior national championships, seven as the TCU and seven

as an Assessor and Examiner. At open level, Neville attended 22 national championships, two as a

TCU and six as an Assessor and Examiner.

Neville was inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 2013.

A dedicated contributor to our sport, Neville has been a long serving member of the National Umpiring

Committee and is currently the Softball South Australia State Representative to the National Umpiring

Committee.

Page 13 of 76

Softball Australia Hall of Fame recipients

Leigh Evans

Leigh has been a member of the Victorian Umpiring Committee since

1994, taking on allocation, training, state rules interpreter and

assessment portfolios during this time. He has been a member of the

National Staff since 2002, and is currently Softball Australia’s Umpire-in-

Chief, Technical.

He is also involved in administrative tasks with the International Softball

Federation, including peer reading ISF 4-umpire system and ISF rules

panel – reviewing the database and exam questions for the ISF exam

and Ump School. Leigh was a presenter at the 2011 ISF Certification

Clinic in Brisbane and has developed the pitching rule multimedia presentation and points of emphasis

– used at state, national and international level.

Leigh is a highly respected umpire within Victoria and internationally. He projects a highly professional

image in his role as an umpire, ensuring each game is met with the same high level as ‘every game is

somebody’s big game’. Leigh is always willing to assist umpires in their development and understands

that it is the player’s game. Leigh is able to relate to umpires of all ages and levels, teaching skills to

beginner umpires and assisting more senior umpires in the state to develop more complex skills

including game management. He is respected by umpires, coaches and players.

As Softball Australia’s Umpire-in-Chief, Technical, Leigh is heavily involved in working with players,

coaches and various administrators at state and national level. He is a highly approachable person and

one who is always willing to assist the development and continuance of softball. Leigh is readily

available to provide feedback and help his fellow umpires achieve their umpiring goals.

Michael Titheradge

Mike’s contribution to the Open Men’s national team, the Aussie Steelers,

spans a period of more than 13 years.

As Team Manager, Mike’s proven management and communication skills

have enabled him to establish a strong working relationship with both

athletes and officials.

The role of Team Manager is always demanding, particularly with a

national team on a lengthy overseas tour. The best planned logistics can

be quickly thrown into chaos. Mike has managed the Aussie Steelers at

more than 12 different international events.

Page 14 of 76

SPORTING SCHOOLS

Sporting Schools is a $100 million Australian

Government initiative designed to help schools

increase children’s participation in sport and

connect children with community sport.

Already, over 5,600 schools have registered to

be a part of this initiative, committed to helping

sport, schools and communities work closer

than ever before to grow sporting activity in

schools.

The Sporting Schools Program offers a great

benefit to families of primary school children.

Schools are funded for the program so children

participate for free. Coaches need to be

endorsed so they are suitably qualified and

able to deliver a fun, exciting softball

experience.

Sporting Schools aims to:

connect 860,000 children with NSO

endorsed sporting opportunities

increase children’s participation in

sport

nurture children’s lifelong love of sport

The Australian Sports Commission included

softball as one of 32 sports in the Sporting

Schools Program, to be delivered to students in

grades F-6 in all states.

Our National program, Softball Batter Up, was

chosen to be the program delivered to schools.

This exciting program helps make playing,

teaching and coaching softball easy!

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Softball Australia appointed Sophie Moore as

the National Sporting Schools Coordinator in

August 2015, to facilitate the program for

Softball Victoria and to manage the program

nationally in collaboration with state

coordinators. Due to increased demand, this

role became full-time in October 2015, which

was supported by workforce funding approved

by the ASC.

Softball is highly ranked in Sporting Schools

delivery when compared to other much larger

mainstream sports such as athletics,

gymnastics, tennis, swimming and basketball.

Softball has slowly risen in the ranks, largely

due to:

Resources available to teachers

Flexibility of the softball program

Popularity within the school system

Linkage of the Softball Batter Up

program to the school curriculum

Increasing number of endorsed

coaches and providers

The introduction of the Sporting Schools

Program has been an outstanding success for

our sport, with softball starting at a national

ranking of 15 out of 32 participating sports, and

rising to a top 10 position in Term 1, 2016 in

participation and sessions delivered.

Sporting Schools website

The Softball Australia Sporting Schools website

provides information for schools, coaches and

associations on the program model, FAQs,

association map and contact information.

The Softball Induction Course and Softball

Batter Up resources provide teachers and

coaches in metropolitan, regional and remote

communities with information to plan and

deliver sessions, including game content and

techniques to help students learn the game.

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Softball in the Sporting Schools Program

Program Participation 12,338

Endorsed Sporting Schools Coaches 222

Programs Requested 662 (572 direct from ASC)

Programs Delivered 447

The Sporting Schools Program offers clubs a great opportunity to promote softball in their local

communities. We encourage them to make transition strategies a priority, and to develop closer

relationships with schools to foster membership growth.

Sophie Moore

Sporting Schools Coordinator

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MARKETING

MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

In late September 2015, the Tokyo 2020

Organising Committee endorsed

softball/baseball to the International Olympic

Committee as one of five sports for inclusion in

the 2020 Olympic Games. This announcement

provided the strongest indication yet that

softball would be re-introduced to the Olympic

program, providing a platform to highlight the

athletes in our national women’s team.

Softball Australia partnered with public relations

company Flourish PR, who engaged with a

range of media outlets, leading to a number of

opportunities including:

Promoting Social 7s and the sport in

general at the Olivia Newton-John

Wellness Walk on 4 October, at the

same time helping to raise funds for

the Olivia Newton-John Cancer &

Wellness Centre

ABC3 filming a Star Wars themed

Social 7s segment, with Victorian state

team players

A feature article on Australian Open

Women’s Team Captain Stacey Porter

in The Sunday Mail, Queensland

A feature article on Australian Open

Women’s player Taylor Tsitsikronis in

the Penrith newspaper

In 2015-16, Fox Sports broadcast three games

to over 60,000 viewers: the grand final of the

Open Women’s National Softball

Championship (Gilley’s Shield), the grand final

of the Open Men’s National Softball

Championship (John Reid Shield) and a game

from the Softball Australia Down Under Series

– International, featuring Japan and Australia

Gold.

Marketing and Sponsorship

The Australian Sports Commission remains our

key partner with the most significant financial

contribution to the organisation’s operations.

Softball Australia has linked business people

with our sport to initiate the Softball Australia

Corporate Club networking program through

business functions this year. Through a couple

of breakfast and luncheon functions, we have

increased the awareness of our sport and have

started to engage with potential business

partners. Our business to business networking

functions have been attended by over 90

corporate people this year and was used to tell

our story, promote our Olympic successes and

develop potential partnerships.

With the recent Olympic announcement it is

Softball Australia’s intention is to work with

each state to jointly host a business to

business function. These functions will feature

Olympic softballers and provide an excellent

opportunity for businesses to connect.

This year we made a strategic effort to expand

our business network. One of our partners in

this venture is the American Chamber of

Commerce, (AmCham). Softball Australia is

now a member of AmCham, whose primary

business is to connect companies from their

extensive database through events and

networking opportunities. Among their

members are CEOs, executives and

professionals of all ages and from all walks of

business. They provide networking, access,

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advocacy, visibility and information to help us

develop business to business relationships.

Over the last 12 months, Softball Australia

attended several AmCham events and we are

collaborating to promote a corporate softball

program and business referral network.

Through this relationship we are seeking to

identify potential sponsors and partners that will

join us on our journey to Tokyo 2020.

Communications

Softball Australia continued to develop social

media platforms as a primary tool for

engagement across the membership base.

Concerted efforts have focused on building

strength on the Facebook and Twitter

platforms, as well as the enhancement of the

live streaming of national and international

events. The production of video content from

our events and Social 7s competition has

provided an increased level of engagement

through You Tube.

The monthly newsletter, Pitch the News,

provides the softball community with updated

news on programs and operational matters.

Pitch the News continued to support the

Homeplate News and website as tools to

increase the capacity and resources of clubs.

In 2016, Pitch the News distribution was 7,896.

The U19 Men’s, Open Men’s, Open Women’s

and U17 Girls and the U23 Men’s and

Women’s National Championships were

streamed live via the dedicated You Tube

channel, SAL Productions. International

audiences were reached with the streaming of

the Down Under Series against Toyota Red

Terriers and the Japanese and New Zealand

national teams. Over 310 people subscribed to

this channel, with over 10,000 views recorded.

Facebook continues to go from strength to

strength as the main social media platform. In

2016, over 250,000 engaged users were

measured with this being an increase from the

previous 12 months. Softball Australia

implemented a dedicated platform of Instagram

for Social 7s, to directly engage with the

product’s target demographics, as we

continued to roll out this new product.

There are significant opportunities to expand

these channels, with increased national team

exposure and product development, which is

one of our future priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement

In December, Softball Australia launched an

exciting new Member Benefits Program,

offering members an extensive range of

benefits and savings, including shopping and

vouchers, travel and accommodation, leisure

and entertainment, dining and fast food, health

and beauty, home and lifestyle, events and

ticketing.

Softball Australia would like to thank the

members of the Marketing & Fundraising

Committee for their valuable ongoing input.

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HIGH PERFORMANCE

It was a significant year for Softball Australia in

terms of high performance, with much

speculation and excitement generated by

positive news updates regarding the bid to

have women’s softball and men’s baseball

reinstated for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Softball’s exclusion from Olympic participation

post the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the loss of

associated government funding attached to

Olympic participation, has very much

decimated Softball Australia’s High

Performance Program. Programs that were in

place prior to 2013 have ceased and the

current program only allows for national teams

to attend world championships at considerable

cost to the athletes, with very little development

funding or programs in place.

Given the strength of the WBSC’s Olympic

inclusion bid, the past twelve months have

provided an opportunity to review past

practices and programs, conduct a

comprehensive review of current processes

within Softball Australia and plan strategically

for a positive announcement in August 2016.

We are focussing on a positive outcome and

have plans and policies in place in order to

meet funding expectations and maximise

opportunities for the best possible return on

future investment.

The inclusion of softball at the 2020 Tokyo

Games, whilst being a major boost for softball,

will not see any significant increase in

government funding to facilitate Olympic

inclusion until 2017/218. This in itself places a

higher priority immediately on our High

Performance Program to ensure positive

results at the 2016 and 2018 Women’s Softball

World Championship to highlight our Olympic

medal potential and secure much needed

funding.

High Performance Review

The review included:

An online athlete evaluation

questionnaire and survey

Player interviews

A comprehensive AIS facilitated review

workshop of two days duration with 30

stakeholders in attendance

At the conclusion of the review process, the

2020 Committee was established to identify

key strategic priorities and make

recommendation on prioritised key actions.

The 2020 Committee’s findings and

recommendations included:

Vision

Sustained international podium

success

Mission Statement

Optimal performance by Softball

Australia athletes and coaches at

international signature events,

achieved through best practice and

innovative high performance planning

and delivery

Philosophy

Athlete centred, coach led and

performance driven

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Key actions

Driver Key Actions Implemented Completed

Whole of Sport Foundation Talent Elite Mastery

(FTEM) model developed and

communicated

Governance

and Leadership

Establish a High Performance

Advisory Group

Develop optimal High

Performance Organisational

Structure

Development and submission of

the Australia Winning Edge

2016-2020

Athletes Development and

implementation of the National

Athlete Pathway Framework

(first draft)

Technical competencies and

benchmark assessment

Talent ID programs and

National Battery Program

SIS SAS network A Whole of Sport FTEM

document has been

drafted. This document is

under review, prior to being

communicated to all

stakeholders.

The first draft of the

National Athlete

Pathway

Framework has

been completed

Coaching National Coaching and

Development Plan

Competition Maximise opportunities for elite

international competition

International

competition has

been increased via

two international

Down Under Series

events.

Review domestic competition

format and future opportunities

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The following projects or actions are in progress:

Position descriptions for potential high performance organisational structure

A coaching development plan

The National Teams Policy to be reviewed and aligned to programs and pathways

Alignment of national team names

Another high performance priority is the alignment of the four predominant national sides, the U19

men’s and women’s teams, previously known as Aussie Colts and Aussie Pride, will be recognised as

junior divisions of their senior subsidiaries, Aussie Steelers and Aussie Spirit.

This initiative comes as part of the newly developed FTEM model, which aims to align the necessary

development requirements from national age grade to national open grade representation. The

unification of national team names aims to reflect Softball Australia’s strategy, as one that will focus on

the strengthening of the alignment of these teams, and softball as a brand. The two national U19

teams will now be known as the Junior Steelers and the Junior Spirit.

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Australian Open Women’s Team, Aussie Spirit

In August 2015, the Aussie Spirit played at the Japan Cup, a four-team event featuring Japan, USA,

Australia and Chinese Taipei. The Aussie Spirit finished third, with current world number one and two,

Japan and USA, taking the top two places.

Down Under Series

The National Open Women’s Squad competed in the Down Under Series – International, from 5-7

February at Blacktown International Sportspark in NSW. Squad members were divided into two

Australian teams: Aussie Green and Aussie Gold, to play in a three-day event against Japan and New

Zealand.

Twenty-two athletes in final contention for World Championship selection competed in a second series,

the Down Under Series – Invitational, from 19-21 February, again at Blacktown International

Sportspark. The team played a series of games against the Japanese Pro-league Team, Toyota Red

Terriers. This event enabled Head Coach, Fabian Barlow, and selectors to finalise and officially name

the Aussie Spirit team to compete at the World Championship in July 2016.

In preparation for the World Championship, Aussie Spirit team members and team staff participated in

training camps during April, May and June. In addition, the pitchers and catchers attended two day

battery training camps in March and May.

The Aussie Spirit depart Australia on 1 July 2016, heading to Oklahoma City to participate in the World

Cup of Softball, before travelling to Canada to participate in the World Championship.

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Australian Open Men’s Team, Aussie Steelers

There were no major international competitions on offer for the Aussie Steelers, however a squad of 30

athletes was selected and, under the guidance of Head Coach Laing Harrow, received specialist

training in preparation for the coming year. The Aussie Steelers will participate in an international event

in New Zealand in February 2017 and then travel to Whitehorse, Canada, in July 2016 for the 15th

Men’s Softball World Championship.

Australian U19 Men’s Team, Junior Steelers

The Junior Steelers will compete at the 11th Junior Men’s Softball World Championship in July 2016.

Their campaign will include a 12-day lead-up in Milverton, Canada before they head to Midlands, MI,

USA.

Australian U19 Women’s Team, Junior Spirit

The Junior Spirt embarked on an 18-day tour, culminating in the 11th Junior Women’s Softball World

Championship in Oklahoma City, from 29 July – 15 August 2015.

In preparation for the World Championship, the Junior Spirit played 10 games in California before two

final warm-up games in Oklahoma City against Japan and New Zealand.

The Junior Spirit finished their World Championship campaign in 7th place, having won three of their

seven round-robin games, but going on to win both consolidation rounds.

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EVENTS

Australia Cup

The inaugural 2016 Australia Cup took place in May 2016 in what was a pivotal moment in the future of

Australian softball. The event saw softballers of all ages and abilities come together for a weekend of

fun and excitement.

Twenty-seven teams registered across four age categories; open women, U13, U15 and U17 girls and

participated in three days of competition at two venues - Blacktown International Sportspark and the

Jacqui Osmond Softball Centre.

The Australia Cup aims to be bigger and better in 2017, with the recent announcement of West Beach,

South Australia as the host venue from 12-14 May 2016. Softball Australia will work in conjunction with

Softball South Australia to bring the 2017 Australia Cup to fruition and build on the foundations that

have been laid for a sustainable and rewarding event for many years to come.

Events Review – Sports Business Partners

In an effort to revamp the current events structure, the State Executive Officers (SEOs) in conjunction

with Softball Australia, agreed to move forward with an organisational events review utilising

experienced strategy consultants, Sports Business Partners (SBP). A scope for the review was

prepared at the Annual General Meeting in October 2015, which paved the way for SBP to begin the six

month process.

A comprehensive internal audit was conducted to gain a greater base organisational understanding.

This included phone consultations and in depth surveys administered to the SEOs, Presidents, and

representatives from several key stakeholder groups. The reviewers presented their findings in a full

day workshop with the SEOs and Softball Australia.

Feedback, the final report and recommendations were completed and circulated to the Softball

Australia Board of Directors in April 2016 for approval. Softball Australia will implement the

recommended actions in preparation for the 2018 National Championships.

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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Social 7s

2015/16 saw Social 7s take off across the country, with a lot of buzz and excitement created by Softball

Australia’s modified version of the game.

Competitions

Social 7s was played in ACT, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic and WA, across 30 different locations

Participants

1,451 total participants

1,045 registered participants through the Social 7s website

774 of the 1,045 were not already registered to play softball (74%)

Social 7s Website

The Social 7s website, www.social7s.com.au was launched, providing a range of information and

features.

Access to Social 7s information and resources

Allows competition providers to register and manage their competition online

Allows teams and individuals to register to play in competitions

Provides an online shop where Social 7s equipment and merchandise can be purchased

This social and fun version of softball is attracting new people

to the sport, with almost three-quarters (74%) of participants

not previously registered to play softball in 2015/16.

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2015 Victorian Teachers Games gold medallists – The Lakers

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National Social 7s Day

The inaugural National Social 7s Day was held on Saturday 29 August, providing an opportunity for

people across the country to try Social 7s for free.

15 associations in six different states/territories registered for the day

Over 270 participants

National Social 7s Day – Gladstone Softball Association, Qld

Page 29 of 76

Other highlights

ACT and SA ran Social 7s competitions to attract participants to their state softball centre in the

off-season. Each competition attracted more than 80 participants.

For the second consecutive year, the Victorian Teachers’ Games grew their softball

competition numbers by using the Social 7s format. In 2013, 4 teams played the fastpitch

competition. By changing to the Social 7s format in 2015, this number had tripled to 12 teams.

Rockingham & Districts Softball Association in WA received funding from Act-Belong-Commit

to help run their eight-team Social 7s competition, attracting over 70 participants.

Glen Eira Moorabbin (Vic) and South Brisbane (Qld) Softball Associations each ran two

Social 7s competitions in 2015/16.

Softball Australia again assisted Bacardi Martini to run their corporate softball days in Sydney

and Melbourne, with over 125 participants.

Intervarsity Social 7s competitions were run in SA and Qld, with over 80 people from eight

different universities participating.

Masters

Masters softball continues to grow in popularity, being one of the most popular sports played at Masters

multi-sport events.

Competitions/Participants

Masters softball played in NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic and WA

16 different locations

5,182 participants

Australian Masters Games (AMG)

In October, 706 people played softball at the AMG in Adelaide, making it the largest participated sport

at the games.

State Events

Softball Queensland Masters attracted 1,237 players

Softball Victoria Masters attracted 660 players

Page 30 of 76

Little League

Governed by Little League International, the program offers pathway opportunities for community based

junior teams.

Little League International is one of the most recognisable sporting brands in the world and is one of

the largest global sporting organisations. There are over 2.6 million people across 75 countries that

participate annually.

All expenses for the teams advancing to the World Series are paid by the League, with ESPN televising

the event to give it global exposure.

At a workshop at Softball Australia’s AGM weekend in October, the Products Committee discussed with

State Executive Officers the requirements to introduce Little League nationally. Softball Australia will

develop a framework in 2016/17 to work towards this goal.

Products Committee

The Products Committee, consisting of Softball Australia Board Members, staff and state officers, met

regularly to discuss strategies to help Softball Australia achieve its product-related strategic targets.

I would like to thank the members of the committee for their ongoing contributions.

Shane Cantelmi

Product Development Coordinator

Melbourne Social 7s Competition – Flourish PR

Page 31 of 76

MYSOFTBALL COMMUNITY

The main focus of mySoftball Community was

the rollout of training and implementation

throughout Australia.

Visiting 35 different locations to deliver face-to-

face training to associations and clubs in every

state and territory, it became very evident that

our game of softball is played and managed in

many different ways and most pleasingly, that

the system is able to cope with the majority of

them.

Training was provided in a range of settings,

from conference rooms in RSLs or Council

Chambers, sports clubs, community halls,

warehouses, in ‘quiet’ corners in a number of

pubs, to even projecting the computer screen

outdoors on the side of the canteen in some of

the more remote associations.

It is important to say that we have an amazing

group of volunteers who manage our sport at a

grass roots level, and I greatly appreciated not

only meeting them on the road trip, but also the

welcome given to me in each location.

All in all, rolling out the training across Australia

was something I feel very privileged to have

experienced.

The second half of the year was about adoption

and assisting clubs and associations with

unique issues they faced.

The adoption of the system has been as varied

as the training locations. Some of our larger

associations have setup and rolled out the

system with online registrations, online

payments (selling not only membership but

merchandise as well), online competition, new

website…in fact every aspect of the system.

But mention must be made of the smaller

associations who before the training session

had ended, had set up their club, posted the

National Registration Form on Facebook and

had members registered online – all before I

had completed packing up!

Variation of adoption rates

The graphs below provide an indication of our

online membership numbers versus the

previous year’s membership numbers as a

target. It is quite apparent that some clubs,

associations and states have embraced the

system quickly, while others have taken a more

cautious approach. Either way, we are

currently standing at a little more than 89% of

the 2014/15 membership numbers now loaded

into the system.

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It is important to highlight that Victoria and

South Australia have eclipsed their target, with

increases of just under 10% and 3%

respectively. We do need to stress that for

Victoria, this was their second year as they

were participants in the pilot program in

2014/15, and South Australia had limited

experience with the system in the previous year

as well. Hopefully that is a portent to what the

other states can hope to see as we move into

the second year for them.

Membership numbers

Now that each state and the national body are

able to see data for the first time, we can give a

real view of our membership base. Some

interesting quick facts we have not been able to

clearly define before:

65% of our membership population is

female (35% male)

31% are under 15 years of age, 35%

are over 35 years of age, the other

third are 15-U35

25% of our population is over 35

women

4.3% of our population regard

themselves of Aboriginal, Torres Strait

Islander or both in origin

24% of over 18 year olds answered the

question about education status:

o 16% stated that they were still at school or university

o Of the remainder, 35% have attained a Degree or Post Graduate degree

31% of over 18 year olds answered the

question about employment status:

o 67% are full time employed

o 22% are part time employed

o 4% are looking for work

o 7% are not working (retired etc)

With regards to type of occupation,

29% of over 18 responded and the top

5 group accounted for 57% of all

answers, and were:

o Office and Administrative Support – 16%

o Education, Training and Library services – 15%

o Sales and Related Occupations – 9%

o Management – 9%

o Healthcare Occupations – 7%

We must remember that this is a three-year

project, and it is important that we keep

focussing on improving the accuracy of data

entry by having the members input their

information, and that we use the rollout of the

database as an opportunity to review each

clubs and associations processes, in order to

simplify and streamline to make the

administration of our sport a lot easier.

Matthew Horne

mySoftball Community Manager

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MEMBERSHIP

Membership numbers by states

The following table shows membership numbers for FY 2015/16.

State Winter Summer Total per state

ACT 0 945 945

NSW 839 8,663 9,502

NT 196 - 196

Qld 2,106 3,925 6,031

SA - 2,474 2,474

Tas - 460 460

Vic - 2,885 2,885

WA 1,346 2,372 3,718

Total 4,487 21,724 26,211

Membership numbers were 1.61% higher than

the previous year.

Softball Australia has achieved significant

outcomes in line with its Strategic Plan, with big

wins for national programs and supporting state

direction with national resources. We are

starting to see evidence that collaboration

works and the proof is in some of our

achievements this year.

National Insurance Program

A first for Softball Australia and its members is

a National Insurance Program, with V-

Insurance being selected as our new provider.

We can now offer an improved level of

coverage and provide better value for our

Member States, associations and clubs. JLT

were the provider for all states (except NSW)

for the reporting period so we would like to

thank them for their term of service.

Membership

Another significant highlight was our

membership numbers. The introduction of

mySoftball Community has provided more

accurate reporting numbers, which are showing

healthy signs of a potential increase in

membership. We have removed barriers to

participation with the development in our

products. We built the foundation of the new

Softball Batter Up website for teachers,

coaches and parents that “makes playing,

teaching and coaching softball easy”. The

website will be released in September 2016.

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The future

As we close off another year and look to the

future, the direction of softball is positive.

There are some great national programs and

resources from which clubs and associations

can benefit. Softball Batter Up, Social 7s and

Sporting Schools all offer fun and exciting

exposure to our game for potential new

participants, while our coach and official

education programs help to increase the

experience for our members. Combine this

with the opportunity to promote the inclusion of

softball in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and it’s a

recipe that can fuel participation growth.

Ben Utting

Sport Development Manager

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COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Club Development

National Club and Association Development

Softball Australia is two years into its three-year

Club and Association Development Strategy

within Softball Australia’s Strategic Plan 2014 -

2017, to achieve overall growth and

sustainability. Supporting our affiliates in

improving the way they operate, building their

capacity to grow and ensuring their

sustainability, will contribute significantly to

achieving Softball Australia’s strategic objective

of 5% growth of registered members annually

for three years. On the following page are

some of the strategies and initiatives in place

that have been developed in the past year to

achieve this.

National Club Development Workshop

Following on from the National Club

Development Workshop in May 2015, state

representatives came together in Melbourne in

October 2015 to discuss key initiatives to

support affiliates in starting, running and

growing their club or association.

Presentations and discussions included

Homeplate, an analysis of Club Health Check

results, strategies to engage non-affiliates,

National Affiliation Standards for clubs and

associations and how each state plans to

implement them, and how to further develop

the League Ladder to acknowledge and

recognise successful clubs and associations.

Karen Robe, Softball Qld’s Association

Coordinator, was unable to attend the session

but provided an overview of her experiences

over the past 3.5 years. Softball Australia

would like to thank all attendees for their

positive and valuable contributions:

Softball Australia Ben Utting, Sport Development Manager

Joanne Paez, Participation Coordinator

Tim Hatzi, Club and Community Development Coordinator

Shane Cantelmi, Product Development Coordinator

Peter Jon Hartshorne, Director

Softball NSW Jody Neilsen, Projects Coordinator

Softball Qld Erin Sandford, Development Officer

Softball SA Steve Trzcinski, Chairperson

Softball Tas Evelyn Seabourne, Development Officer

Kerrie Laverick, Association Coordinator

Softball Vic Donna Carbis, Coach Education & Athlete Development Coordinator

Kerrie Laverick, Association Coordinator

Softball WA Milosa Jackson, Board Member

Page 37 of 76

Investment in face to face affiliate support

Softball Australia continues to invest in

Association Coordinator positions around the

country, through part-funding in Qld, Vic, Tas,

SA, NT and WA. Association Coordinators

have been working tirelessly with their partner

associations to build capacity, capability,

improve governance and grow participation.

Over the past 12 months, the results have been

significant:

$397,550 in funding secured to go

towards facility development

improvements and equipment

144 Club Health Checks completed

82 strategic, operational, financial and

marketing plans developed

Softball Batter Up, Sporting Schools,

Social 7s and other participation

programs and recruitment initiatives

implemented, resulting in 15-20%

increase in participation

Homeplate

Since releasing Homeplate in April 2015, a

dedicated online club development resource

designed to support affiliates in starting,

running or growing their club or association, a

total of 204 clubs and associations have

registered, with 139 registering in the past 12

months.

Homeplate News

Homeplate News is a monthly newsletter

developed to communicate important

information and initiatives directly to our

affiliates. Launched in June 2015, the

Newsletter is now being circulated to 898

recipients, an increase of 620 since its

inception.

ASC Club Health Check

Since 2013, 308 softball clubs and associations

have completed the Club Health Check. A total

of 144 Club Health Checks were completed in

2015/16, with more than 81% of those clubs

and associations initiating actions to address

key areas identified for improvement – resulting

in significant improvements. The work of

Member States and their Association

Coordinators has contributed to this success.

Club and Association Development

Internship Program

Softball Australia’s success with the Club

Development Internship Program continued

with the recruitment of three University interns

throughout the Student Placement Program:

two interns were placed from Deakin University

and one student from the Australian Catholic

University to provide support to the Program.

National Affiliation Standards

Softball Australia’s National Affiliation

Standards was developed as part of its Club

and Association Development Strategy,

focusing on creating safe, welcoming and

healthy environments to attract and retain

members. A starting point to achieve this

outcome is to ensure that all clubs and

associations complete the National Affiliation

Standards checklist annually and work towards

meeting each standard. The Checklist was

introduced on the Homeplate website in May

2016, with a total of 29 clubs and associations

completing it: NSW – 24, Qld – 4, WA – 1.

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Homeplate Ladder – National Softball Club

and Association Recognition program

Homeplate Ladder will be introduced in

2016/17 to recognise and reward clubs and

associations who implement and operate within

best practice standards. The program will be

trialled with associations nationally in 2016/17

and rolled out to clubs in 2017/18.

Indigenous Softball Program

The Indigenous Softball Program, funded

through the Australian Government’s

Indigenous Advancement Strategy, provides

opportunities for Indigenous Communities to

participate in softball activities to improve

health, social and physical well-being.

Softball Australia aims to provide opportunities

for Indigenous people of all ages and abilities to

become involved in sport and recreation

through softball, increasing the social

connectedness within communities and

allowing them to develop the skills required to

organise and manage sustainable softball

programs.

In collaboration with Member States, Softball

Australia invested in targeted programs in NT,

Qld, SA and WA. The main programs,

competitions and courses delivered were the

establishment of a new competition in Wadeye

NT, the Murri Women’s Softball Tournament in

Qld, Far North West Sports League in the APY

Lands, SA and Indigenous Softball Carnivals in

the Western Desert, WA. Together with the

Member States, program partners and

participating urban, rural, and remote

communities, the following outcomes were

achieved:

4,396 Indigenous participants involved

in softball activities

145 softball activities delivered,

including 72 accredited training

courses delivered

659 participants attained coaching,

scoring and umpiring accreditation

11 Community Health Forums

delivered in conjunction with softball

activities.

In May, the Australian Government confirmed

that it will continue to provide funding of Softball

Australia’s Indigenous Softball Program for

2016/17. In collaboration with our Member

States, this funding enables Softball Australia

to continue its involvement with targeted

Indigenous communities, providing

opportunities to participate in all levels of the

sport to improve their health and physical

wellbeing and provide increased social

benefits.

Softball for All

Softball Australia continues to ensure that

softball is an inclusive and accessible sport for

people of all ages, cultures, genders and

abilities at all levels.

Since its membership with Sport Inclusion

Australia in 2014 (formally National Sport

Inclusion Alliance), Softball Australia has

developed a database of clubs and

associations that actively promote and cater for

people with a disability and other

disadvantaged groups. In the past 12 months,

the database has grown from 34 clubs to 106.

Softball Australia will continue to promote

various case studies of inclusion across all

levels as a strategy to reinforce its dedication to

being an inclusive sport.

Tim Hatzi

Club and Community Development Coordinator

Page 39 of 76

TECHNICAL

SCORING

The National Scoring Committee meet regularly

to map current trends in scoring, and develop

frameworks for future development of reference

materials. Key topics included a review of the

2015-16 national championships.

We witnessed continued support of the national

championships, with statisticians providing

results, web reporting and official statistics for

Softball Australia, national selectors and teams.

The Committee has also supported the states

with reference material for ongoing training.

National Staff

Chief Statistician Ngaire Huston

Statisticians Mike Hannelly

Sandra Palmer

Kirsty Andrews

Lindy Rattigan

Chris Trengove

Appointments

International

Lindy Rattigan

2016 Junior Men’s Softball World

Championship

Chris Trengove

2016 Women’s Softball World Championship

2015 Japan Cup,

Rowena Whittle

2016 Japan Cup

National

The Committee thanks the statisticians at the

various tournaments for their dedication and

commitment. It is refreshing to see new faces

scoring at events, helping to ensure the

ongoing success of the scoring program.

We acknowledge the support of the following

statisticians: Ngaire Huston (Qld), Mike

Hannelly, Chris Trengove (Vic), Sandra Palmer

(NSW), Lindy Rattigan (SA), Kirsty Andrews

(Qld), Matt Denkel (Qld), Lynne Eltoft (WA),

Kaye Greggs (NSW), Lorraine Davies (Vic) and

Chris Bailey (Qld).

A special thanks to the following statisticians

who volunteered their time to travel interstate to

support national events: Sandra Palmer (NSW),

Mike Hannelly (NSW), Rowena Whittle (NSW),

Maree Hardwicke (ACT), Loraine Davies (Vic),

Kerryn Bell (Vic) and Jim Giles (Vic). Without

the support of these statisticians the

tournaments in Adelaide and Perth would not

have been scored at the standard achieved.

The National Committee also assists with the

provision of statisticians for states who do not

have qualified statisticians.

National Quality Assurance Program

The National Committee has an active Quality

Assurance program to ensure that statisticians

are of the highest standard possible when

attending national events. The Committee

conducted quality assurance assessments of

66 scorers from 174 games played across the

national championships. The iScore games

Page 40 of 76

containing the play by play reports are matched

to the scoring. The Committee would like to

thank Jim Giles (Vic) for assisting in this

assessment process.

Accreditation and professional development

The total number of statisticians as at 30 June 2016 was 874.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Total

Softball Scoring Current 555 140 84 95 874

ACT SA NSW NT Qld TAS Vic WA Total

Softball Official 31 95 476 0 134 30 81 27 874

National summary of accredited statisticians

Total ACT NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA

Level 1 555 19 321 0 75 63 25 32 20

Level 2 140 6 77 0 4 28 1 21 3

Level 3 84 2 46 0 21 2 1 12 0

Level 4 95 4 32 0 34 2 3 16 4

Level 4 examinations

The following Queensland candidates were successful in passing Level Four: Rae Crook, Wendy

Harries, Deb Maloney and Kelly Pengellis.

Resource Development

The scoring section of Softball Australia’s website is being updated

Scoring accreditation resources are being reviewed and updated

The 2016 rules scoring exam has been developed with the assistance of the National Umpiring

Committee

Page 41 of 76

The iScore module is being developed and has been tested at two different venues, with

successful candidates passed.

Future Plans

Plans to work with the Softball New Zealand Scoring Committee to formalise a joint Scoring

Manual, with a view to ISF accreditation for statisticians, have been put on hold and are

awaiting future developments

Continue developing iScore beginner and advanced courses

Continue to encourage states to monitor their scorers and urge them to keep their accreditation

up-to-date

Annual Forum in Melbourne

The inaugural Annual Scoring Forum was held in Melbourne, coinciding with the AGM in October. All

State Directors attended the Forum, with the exception of WA. The weekend was viewed a great

success, particularly the opportunity to meet with Softball Australia personnel.

Seated: Maree Hardwicke (ACT), Kaye Greggs (NSW), Sandra Palmer, Kirsty Andrews

Standing: Lorraine Davies (Vic), Jim Giles (Vic), Matt Denkel (Qld) Mike Hannelly, Ngaire Huston, Lindy

Rattigan

Softball Australia Life Membership

It was very gratifying for Mike Hannelly to be awarded Life Membership of Softball Australia. Mike has

been the backbone of Softball Australia Scoring for many years and recognition of his service was a

due reward.

Page 42 of 76

Thanks

I wish to extend my thanks to the National Scoring Committee for their continued support and hard

work. I also wish to thank the State Directors of Scoring for their willingness to promote the program.

Without their commitment and support it would be a difficult task. The Committee brings a varied range

of skill-sets, which allows the program to flourish. I appreciate the input from everyone, be it updating

the web and National Officiating Accreditation Scheme, programming, preparing for national events,

conducting examinations and general day-to-day tasks.

The National Scoring Committee once again expresses its gratitude to Chris Trengove for the work that

he has done with the database and iScore, which provides significant timesaving at national events. A

thanks also to Mike Hannelly, who works tirelessly adding state team lists to the database for these

tournaments. This year Chris came to the rescue when there were issues with nationals.

Mike Hannelly receiving his Life Membership Award in Sydney

Page 43 of 76

UMPIRING

Congratulations to Graeme Love (Qld),

recipient of the Vivienne Triplett Umpire of the

Year Award; Leigh Evans, inducted into the

Softball Australia Hall of Fame; and Neville

Lawrance, inducted into the ISF Hall of Fame.

Neville attended 14 international events

including the 1998 Women’s World

Championship and the 2004 Athens Olympic

Games.

Tricia Sibraa continues to be a section leader

for the ISF new rule book to develop a

simplified layout in a new revised international

rule book.

National Committee

Chief Tricia Sibraa

Umpires Leigh Evans – Technical)

Debbie Grove – Development

Scott Rindfleish – Communications

Assisting staff

Technical Darrell Shephard

Jason Carter

Development Kyira Cox

Ron Houison

Communications Richard Barrow

Jessie Smith

Operations Krissi Travers

Accreditation and Professional

Development

Manuals

The Community Umpire Manual, including flip

cards, has been developed and will be

particularly useful for the club umpire, parents

and teachers. The flip cards have been

developed by Richard Barrow, Richard Dodds

and Chris Trengove.

Kyira Cox and Ron Houison have been

reviewing and updating the Participants and

Presenters Manual for Levels 1 and 2.

Andrew Rindfleish, with assistance from

Haydyn Wood, Krissi Travers and Graeme

Love, commenced work on the Umpire

Candidates Manual.

Technical Bulletins

Two Technical Bulletins were published, a third

revision of the Softball Australia "Rules

Assessment Flexibility and Pass Marks" and

"Moulded and Axe Handled Bats".

National Accreditation

Paul Bourke (NSW) and James Townsend

(NSW) attained Level 5 accreditation, and

Jamie Harries (Qld) and Janelle Hicks (Qld)

attainted Level 6 accreditation.

Appointments

International

The National Umpiring Program continues to be

held in high regard on the international scene,

with umpires appointed to ISF World

Championships and major overseas

competitions during the year, including:

Darren Sibraa (Qld)

14th Men's Softball World Championship,

Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Page 44 of 76

Kyira Cox (NSW), Ron Houison (NSW)

11th Junior Women's Softball World

Championship, Oklahoma City, Ok. USA

Richard Barrow (Vic), Scotiabank Canadian

Cup, Canada

Yvonne Kahler (Qld), Japan Cup, Ogaki,

Japan

Jason Carter (Vic), European Premier Cup

Women, European Super Cup Men, Prague

National

The following umpires were appointed to 2015 Championships:

Championship Appointments

Open Women’s National

Softball Championship

Tournament Chief Umpire: Patricia Sibraa (Qld)

Crew: Andrew Compton (NSW), Richard Dodds (Vic), Leanne Gearside

(NSW), Debbie Grove (Vic), Stephen Gutteridge (Qld), Jamie Harries

(Qld), Janelle Hicks (Qld), Amanda Houison (NSW), Dale Kaimoana

(Qld), Yvonne Kahler (Qld), Stuart Tyler (Vic), Haydyn Wood (SA)

U17 Girls’ National

Softball Championship

Tournament Chief Umpire: Darren Sibraa (Qld)

Crew: David Casey (Qld), Trevor Murphy (Vic), Paul Bourke (NSW),

Andrew Dickson (ACT), Dylan Murdoch (NSW), James Townsend

(NSW)

U17 Boys’ National

Softball Championship

Tournament Chief Umpire: Scott Rindfleish (NSW)

Crew: Jacqui Crafter (SA), Ron Houison (NSW), Neville Lawrance (SA),

George Norrish (NSW), Kevin Tannebring (SA), Norelle Thomas (Qld),

Stephen Wallace-Yarrow (SA), Mark Wareham (WA)

U19 Women’s National

Softball Championship

and U15 Girls’ Regional

Softball Championship

U19 Women - Tournament Chief Umpire: Debbie Grove (Vic)

Crew: Kyira Cox (NSW), David Crowe (NSW), James English (NSW),

Amanda Houison (NSW), Neville Lawrance (SA), Norelle Thomas

(Qld), Stuart Tyler (Vic), Stephen Wallace-Yarrow (SA), Alan Walsh

(Qld), Haydyn Wood (SA)

U15 Girls - Tournament Chief Umpire: Kevin Tannebring (SA)

Crew: Andy Birks (NSW), Paul Brooking (SA), Ian Grey (SA), Dale

Kaimoana (Qld), Kylie Knight (Qld), Claire Lack (Qld), Tamara Muller

(Qld), Breanna O’Connor (Qld), Kian Privatera (Vic), Daryl Pearce

(WA), Aaron Robertson (Qld), Lailani Shepherd (Qld), Mark Toft (Qld),

Kieran Wright (ACT) and Danielle Bellchambers (Umpire Manager)

U19 Men’s National

Softball Championship

U19 Men - Tournament Chief Umpire: Leigh Evans (Vic)

Crew: Jason Carter (Vic), Richard Dodds (Vic), Leanne Gearside

(NSW), Jay Gibson (NSW), Graeme Love (Qld), Damien McCauley

Page 45 of 76

Championship Appointments

and U15 Boys’ Regional

Softball Championship

(SA), Robert McIntosh (NSW), Andrew Rindfleish (NSW) Jesse Smith

(NSW), Chris Trengove (Vic)

U15 Boys - Tournament Chief Umpire: Trevor Murphy (Vic)

Crew: Riley Deahm (NSW), Kim Green (NSW), Thomas Green (NSW),

Georgia Kiel (NSW), Cayden Love (Qld), Jennie McKenny (NSW), Tony

Moncaster (NSW), Harrison Pudner (NSW), Leith Roberts (ACT), Craig

Sexton (NSW), Callum Thiess (Qld)

Open Men’s National

Softball Championship

Tournament Chief Umpire: Patricia Sibraa (Qld)

Crew: Richard Barrow (Vic), David Casey (Qld), Warren Duff (SA),

Leigh Evans (Vic), Debbie Grove (Vic), Graeme Love (Qld), Damien

McCauley (SA), Trevor Murphy (Vic), Scott Rindfleish (NSW), Darren

Sibraa (Qld), Chris Trengove (Vic), Stuart Tyler (Vic), Haydyn Wood

(SA)

U23 Women’s and Men’s

National Softball

Championships

Tournament Chief Umpire: Patricia Sibraa (Qld)

Crew: Jason Carter (Vic), David Casey (Qld), David Crowe (NSW), Jay

Gibson (NSW), Jamie Harries (Qld), Janelle Hicks (Qld), Yvonne Kahler

(Qld), Robert McIntosh (NSW), Darren Sibraa, (Qld) Helen Strauss

(Qld), Kevin Tannebring (SA), Norelle Thomas (Qld), Alan Walsh (Qld)

Southern Cross Challenge Tournament Chief Umpire: Patricia Sibraa (Qld)

Crew: David Andrews (Qld), Dave Beaumont (NZ), Peter Chalapan

(PNG), Robin Griffiths (NZ), Nicola Ogier (NZ), Mark McFarlane (NZ),

Kylie Knight (Qld), Kiri Scott (Qld), Cornelius Terra (PNG), Ricki

Thompson (NZ), Joanne Voltz (Qld)

Page 46 of 76

Development

The Softball Australia International Friendship

Series was staffed by Tournament Chief

Umpire, Richard Dodds, and umpire mentors

Kevin Tannebring and Sarah Houston. Twenty-

eight umpires (eight full-time) ranging from

Level 1 to international standard. Throughout

the Series, umpires covered 82 games with two

and three-umpire systems.

National Rules Assessment

The National Umpiring Committee again

delivered the Playing Rules Knowledge

Assessment online.

The National Umpiring Committee brought

forward the date for the National Rules

Assessment to the last week in April, to be

closer to the end of local associations end of

season and to encourage more participants.

In total, 275 umpires sat the exam in May,

marking an overall 5% decrease from 2015.

ACT

10 umpires sat the assessment, 23%

decrease

NSW

102 umpires sat the assessment, 14%

increase

NT

0 umpires sat the assessment, no

change

Qld

63 umpires sat the assessment, 1%

decrease

SA

27 umpires sat the assessment, 29%

decrease

Tas

13 umpires sat the assessment, 7%

decrease

Page 47 of 76

Vic

38 umpires sat the assessment, 11%

decrease

WA

22 umpires sat the assessment, 18%

decrease

Thirty-two sat the Deferred and

Supplementary Assessment

National Basic Assessment

Softball Australia also allow players, coaches,

parents and umpires applying for level 1 and 2

accreditations to sit the National Basic Rules

Assessment, aimed at an everyday game level.

The 2016 national basic assessment was also

facilitated through the online portal.

The ability to allow Level 1 and 2 umpires to sit

the basic rules assessment, continues to

provide greater flexibility and an easier pathway

for participant development. A total of 170

umpires sat this exam in 2016.

This year Softball Australia again used ISF

Development umpires to set the Basic Rules

Assessment, this has a development effect on

the program. Darren Sibraa (Qld) supervised

this process and was assisted by Stuart Tyler

(Vic) and Norelle Thomas (Qld). The NUC

thanks these people for their time.

Communication

The Communications and Membership

Engagement Stream of the National Umpiring

Committee has seen many changes and

developments. The appointment of the

Umpire-in-Chief, Scott Rindfleish (NSW) and

the formation of the new team including

Richard Barrow (Vic) and Jesse Smith (NSW)

were the first orders of business in preparation

to launch the new communications strategy.

The umpiring section of Softball Australia’s

website remains our online home for umpiring

in Australia. Website updates, content

migration and building a dynamic site has been

a strong focus to ensure all umpires can access

the resources they need to achieve success

right across the country. Umpiring news

continues to spread through the Softball

Australia community via the website news

articles.

Our new Facebook page was launched to

share breaking news and to engage with our

umpiring community. The focus on immediacy

and currency means our members are more up

to date, more interactive and more engaged as

we all share in the successes from across

Australia. Within several months, we hit 500

Page Likes, and we are thrilled to have such

strong engagement from members both

domestic and international.

Blues News On-Line continues to be an

important part of our communications strategy,

offering quarterly publications of diverse

content and focus. Members enjoy stories and

success from states, submitted by the State

Directors of Umpiring, as well as national and

international umpiring news.

Our umpires are the lifeblood of our program

and we are committed to enhancing

engagement to promote passionate and skilled

softball umpires.

Tricia Sibraa

National Chief Umpire

Page 48 of 76

COACHING

Accreditation

Accreditations recorded in the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme totals 1,936.

ACT NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA

21 922 5 299 320 29 244 96

Coach accreditation by category

ACT NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA

New (first time

accreditation)

10 134 0 47 12 17 60 24

Upgrade (next level) 0 55 0 12 3 0 7 7

Reaccreditation

(renewed at existing

level)

0 24 0 14 1 0 8 1

Softball Community Coaching Program

The Softball Community Coaching Program (SCCP) continues to provide a great introduction to the

beginner coach, with 260 individuals completing the face-to-face program in 2015/16.

ACT, NSW, SA, Tasmania and Victoria are delivering the combined SCCP and Level 1 program.

The SCCP program involves participants presenting and participating in softball-related

activities, followed by discussions about modifying activities to suit the audience.

The Level 1 program teaches basic skills and provides participants with hands-on experience

to practise their newly acquired skills.

State Participants Programs

ACT 14 1

NSW 144 11

Qld 32 4

SA 17 2

Tas 18 2

Vic 72 3

Page 49 of 76

Presenter and Assessor Program

Softball Australia, in conjunction with Softball Victoria, delivered a two day Presenter and Assessor

course to 12 Softball Victoria coaches. These coaches are now qualified to deliver coach accreditation

programs within Victoria.

Online resources

Softball Australia continues to provide resources for the coaching workforce.

National coaching accreditation

Eighteen coaches received National Coaching Accreditation Scheme Level 3 coach accreditation via

the online learning portal. The portal has allowed over 200 coaches to receive endorsement to deliver

the Softball Batter Up program in the Australian Sports Commission Sporting Schools Program.

Softball Batter Up website

A new design of the SBU website has been developed. The new site will provide a great resource for

parents, teachers and coaches to provide fun and engaging softball activities. It aims to make playing,

teaching and coaching softball easy. It has resources for games that are aligned to the national health

and physical education curriculum and new features including video content for all games, pre-planned

programs and a new session planner. The site is expected to be released in September 2016.

Train to Win (Level 4) Coach Accreditation Program

Work is continuing on the Train to Win (Level 4) Coach Accreditation Program. The online pitching and

catching modules have been completed, together with the elective and compulsory units. It is being

proposed a face-to-face battery workshop will be required to complete the assessment tasks.

Joanne Paez

Participation Coordinator

Page 50 of 76

SOFTBALL AUSTRALIA LIFE MEMBERS

Life Members are recognised for their exceptional and devoted service to softball Australia.

Name Year State

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

Page 51 of 76

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

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

Page 52 of 76

Name Year State

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

and ISF World Champions

2009

Geoffrey Coultas 2008 WA

Brian Flint 2008 WA

Darryl Rector 2008 WA

Robert Richardson 2008 NSW

Bill Downing 2008 WA

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

Page 53 of 76

Name Year State

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

Page 54 of 76

Name Year State

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

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

World Champions

1985

Norma Allsopp Vic

Page 55 of 76

Name Year State

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

Page 56 of 76

ISF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Name Year State

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

Page 57 of 76

Name Year State

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

Page 58 of 76

TEAMS AND SQUADS

2015 International Friendship Series, 29 June – 3 July 2015

Female

Maddy Beard (NSW), Erin Blackmore (Qld), Phoebe Collins (Qld), Kelsey Griffen (NSW), Tess Henman

(ACT), Lauren Herbert (NSW), Chloe Holman (NSW), Natasha Holt (VIC), Amber Hood (SA), Georgia

Hood (SA), Montana Kearnes (NSW), Hollie Keen (Tas), Shannon Keevers (NSW), Rhiannon Kemp

(Qld), Rachel Kraak (Qld), Ellie Lees(NSW), Rachel Leong (WA), Haley Marschall (SA), EmmaMcLean

(WA), Jamie Mead (SA), Gabrielle Plain (NSW), Maddison Smith (NSW), Tarni Stepto (NSW), Natasha

Strapps (SA), Jenna Trim (NSW), Brianna Trim (NSW), Mihikura Tuialii (Vic), Tia Waters (Qld), Tamieka

Whitefield (Qld), Isabel Zaharias (Vic)

Male

Josh Bond (NSW), Jack Burt (WA), Isaac Caloiero-Smith (Qld), Logan Campbell (NSW), Jacob

Donaldson (NSW), Jarred Garland (NSW), Shannon Goffer (Qld), Henry Groth (NSW), Dylan Hard (Qld),

Joshua Harding (Qld), Daniel Harrison (NSW), Bradley Kilpatrick (NSW), Lachlan McGovern (ACT),

Andrew Meyer-Coyte (ACT), Samuel Miners (ACT), Robbie Moore (NSW), Michael Noonan (ACT),

Bolton Nussbaum (ACT), Christian Palombi (ACT), Christopher Plain (NSW), Layton Reid (Qld), Mac

Reith-Snare (NSW), Rhys Shelley (Qld), Lachlan Spinelli (Vic), Sheldon Waller (Qld), Jeremy Waters

(Qld), James Watson (WA), Cameron White (Qld), Thomas Zeylemaker (NSW), Luke Bellamy (NSW)

Australian U19 Women’s Team

11th Junior Women’s Softball Championship, 29 July – 15 August 2015

Amelia Cudicio (NSW), Georgia Blair (Qld), Alicia Forte (WA), Sara Caterson (Qld), Rebecca McEachern

(Qld), Emma Iuliano (NSW), Dorinda Stone (Qld), Kalina Stepto (NSW), Chelsea Robinson (SA),

Stephanie Trzcinski (SA), Lauren Tapp (NSW), Mikayla Gregory (Qld), Emily Read (NSW), Alisha

Prybyszczuk (Qld), Chantelle Ladner (NSW), Allanah Alvarado (WA), Gabrielle Plain (NSW).

Shane Hughes (Head Coach), Annette Fidge (Assistant Coach), Chantelle James (Assistant Coach),

Nathan Jones (Assistant Coach), Rebecca Yip (Physio), Janell Behrendt (Team Manager), Kirsty

Andrews (Statistician), Ron Houison (Umpire), Kyira Cox (Umpire)

Australian Open Women’s Team, Japan Cup, August 2015

Janice Blackman (Qld), Chelsea Forkin (Qld), Jemma Freegard (WA), Amber Johnson (WA), Rachel

Lack (NSW), Jocelyn McCallum (Qld), Stacey McManus (NSW), Kaia Parnaby (NSW), Stacey Porter

(NSW) Vanessa Stokes (SA), Erin Thras (Qld), Taylah Tsitsikronis (NSW), Clare Warwick (ACT), Stacey

Webber (Qld), Belinda White (SA)

Kere Johanson (Head Coach), Lindsey Carroll (Assistant Coach), Alan Moore (Assistant Coach), Kym

Tollenaere (Battery Coach), Christine Clough (Manager), Christopher Trengove (Statistician), Michael

Oostryck (Physio), Yvonne Kahler (Umpire), Anthony Mackie (Video Analyst)

Page 59 of 76

Australian Open Women’s Team

15th WBSC Women’s Softball World Championship, 15-25 July 2016

Kaia Parnaby (NSW), Justine Smethurst (Qld), Jocelyn McCallum (Qld), Vanessa Stokes (SA), Belinda

White (SA), Carmelle Sorensen (Qld), Stacey Porter (NSW), Taylah Tsitsikronis (NSW), Chelsea Forkin

(Qld), Brenda DaBlaes (Qld), Stacey McManus (NSW), Georgia Blair (Qld), Clare Warwick (ACT),

Rachel Lack (NSW), Jade Wall (Qld), Janice Blackman (Qld), Erin Thras (Qld)

Fabian Barlow (Coach), Kerrie Porter (Assistant Coach), Kym Tollenaere (Assistant Coach), Kelly Hardie

(Battery Coach), Lisa Anderson (Manager), Nathanial Harnett (Physio), Chris Trengove (Statistician),

Kathryn Horton (Trainer), Kyira Cox (Umpire), Amanda Houison (Umpire)

Australian U19 Men’s Team

11th WBSC Junior Men’s Softball World Championship, 22-30 July 2016

Blake Bell (NSW), Alex Cleary (Qld), Chris Gillies (NSW), Shaun Lanaghan (NSW), Michael Ludkin

(Qld), Joshua McGovern (ACT), Nicholas Moore (Qld), Luke Ollerenshaw (NSW), James Purcell (Qld),

Izack Rossi (NSW), Dylan Sheehan (Qld), Adam Talarico (VIC), Luke Thomas (Qld), Mitchell Woodworth

(Qld), Jett Wright (WA), Brennan Dempsey (Qld), Blake Jackson (NSW)

Laing Harrow (Head Coach), Darrin Hebditch (Assistant Coach), Adam Rindfleish (Assistant Coach),

Maxine Cleary (Manager), Lindy Rattigan (Statistician), Aminda Huynh (Physio), Richard Barrow

(Umpire)

2016 Australian Open Men’s Squad

James Brownlow (NSW), Aaron Cockman (WA), Nathan Dickinson (NSW),Tyson Duncan (WA), Jarryd

Farrell (SA), Chris Gillies (NSW), Shaun Goffer (Qld), Joel Goodall (Vic), Mark Harris (WA), Andrew

Havercroft (WA), Julian Jemmott (Qld), Marshall Kronk (Qld), Jayden Lach (NSW), Hayden Mathews

(NSW), Joshua McGovern (ACT), Ryan Merriman (Qld), Kieran O'Leary (NSW), Liam O'Leary (NSW),

Harrison Peters (NSW), Tyrell Priestley (Qld), Jay Selu (ACT), Nick Shailes (Qld), Brendon O’Byrne

(WA), Ryan Sinclair (Vic), James Todhunter (NSW), Ryan Tranter (NSW), Peter Wards (NSW), Lewis

Weldon (Vic)

2016 Australian Open Women’s Squad

Kaia Parnaby (NSW), Ellen Roberts (NSW), Amber Johnson (WA), Sandra Holden (Qld), Justine

Smethurst (Qld), Vanessa Stokes (SA), Amelia Cudicio (NSW), Jocelyn McCallum (Qld), Taylah

Tsitsikronis (NSW), Belinda White (SA), Carmelle Sorensen (Qld), Rachel Lack (NSW), Chelsea Forkin

(Qld), Stacey McManus (NSW), Alexandra Casey (NSW), Stacey Porter (NSW), Jordyn Christensen

(NSW), Georgia Blair (Qld), Brenda De Blaes (Qld), Clare Warwick (ACT), Jemma Freegard (WA), Tara

Speakman (Qld), Janice Blackman (Qld), Chelsea Robinson (SA), Sam Poole (NSW), Erin Thras (Qld),

Katherine Tye (ACT), Michelle Cox (NSW), Leigh Godfrey (WA), Jade Wall (Qld)

Page 60 of 76

INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

Down Under Series – International

Blacktown International Sportspark, NSW

5-7 February 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Kylie Bloodworth

Umpire-in-Chief Andrew Rindfleish

Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs

Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Japan 2 dftd Australia Green 0

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 Japan Most Valuable Player – Nayu Kiyohara (Japan)

2 Australia Green Best Pitcher – Jocelyn McCallum (Australia Gold)

3 Australia Gold Best Batter – Stacey McManus (Australia Gold)

4 New Zealand Player of the Grand Final – Yuka Ichiguchi (Japan)

AUSTRALIAN TEAMS

Aussie Gold

Kaia Parnaby, Amber Johnson, Jocelyn McCallum, Ellen Roberts, Belinda White, Chelsea Robinson,

Jordyn Christensen, Brenda De Blaes, Georgia Blair, Stacey Porter, Stacey McManus, Janice Blackman,

Shannon Keevers, Dorinda Stone

Kerrie Porter (Head Coach), Kathryn Horton (Assistant Coach), Danica Howlett (Battery Coach), Jacqui

Dunn (Manager), Nathanial Harnett (Physio)

Aussie Green

Vanessa Stokes, Justine Smethurst, Amelia Cudicio, Sandra Holden, Carmelle Sorensen, Taylah

Tsitsikronis, Chelsea Forkin, Alexandra Casey, Clare Warwick, Tara Speakman, Jemma Freegard, Leigh

Godfrey, Katherine Tye, Tia Waters

Annette Fidge (Head Coach), Kym Tollenaere (Assistant Coach), Kelly Hardie (Battery Coach), Lisa

Anderson (Manager), Nathanial Harnett (Physio)

Page 61 of 76

Down Under Series – Invitational

Blacktown International Sportspark, NSW

19-21 February 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Richard Costantino

Umpire-in-Chief Scott Rindfleish

Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs

Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

SERIES RESULTS

Toyota Red Terriers 4 dftd Australia 1 (with 1 drawn game)

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Toyota Red Terriers 9 dftd Australia 8

Australia 5 dftd Toyota Red Terriers

Toyota Red Terriers 2 dftd Australia 1

Toyota Red Terriers 1 drew with Australia 1

Abandoned

Toyota Red Terriers 4 dftd Australia 3

Toyota Red Terriers 6 dftd Australia 2

Page 62 of 76

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Open Women’s National Softball Championship

Playing for the Gilley’s Shield

Blacktown International Sportspark, NSW

3-9 January 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Kylie Bloodworth

Umpire-in-Chief Patricia Sibraa

Tournament Chief Statistician Chris Trengove

Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Qld Heat 3 dftd NSW Firestars 1

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 Qld Heat Midge Nelson Medal - Most Valuable Player – Brenda De Blaes (Qld)

2 NSW Firestars Lorraine Woolley Medal - Best Pitcher – Justine Smethurst (Qld)

3 ACT Diamonds Sybil Turner Medal - Best Batter – Brittany Vonk (Qld)

4 SA Starz Rosemary Adey Medal - Rookie of the Year – Amelia Cudicio (NSW)

5 Vic Titans Player of the Grand Final – Jade Wall (Qld)

6 WA Flames

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Justine Smethurst (Qld)

Catcher Rachel Lack (NSW)

1st Base Jessica Muller (Qld)

2nd Base Brenda De Blaes (Qld)

3rd Base Tara Speakman (Qld)

Shortstop Brittany Vonk (Qld)

Outfield Samantha Poole (NSW)

Janice Blackman (Qld)

Chelsea Forkin (Qld)

Designated Player Clare Warwick (ACT)

Page 63 of 76

Open Men’s National Softball Championship

Playing for the John Reid Shield

West Beach, SA

29 February – 5 March 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Richard Costantino

Umpire-in-Chief Tricia Sibraa

Tournament Chief Statistician Lindy Rattigan

Tournament Convenor Lee Hull

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW 3 dftd ACT 2

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 NSW Most Valuable Player – Lewis Weldon (Vic)

2 ACT 89ers Best Pitcher – Joel Goodall (Vic)

3 Victoria Best Batter – Marshall Kronk (Qld)

4 WA Blaze Rosemary Adey Medal – Rookie of the Year – Chris Wescombe (WA)

5 Qld Patriots Player of the Grand Final – Ryan Tranter (NSW)

6 South Australia

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Joel Goodall (Vic)

Catcher Lewis Weldon (Vic)

1st Base Ryan Merriman (Qld)

2nd Base Evan Byrne (ACT)

3rd Base Jay Rakich (WA)

Shortstop James Todhunter (NSW)

Outfield Hayden Mathews (NSW)

Zenon Winters (ACT)

Liam O’Leary (NSW)

Designated Player Marshall Kronk (Qld)

Page 64 of 76

U19 Women’s National Softball Championship

Playing for the Elinor McKenzie Shield

Redlands, Qld

17-23 January 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Richard Costantino

Umpire-in-Chief Debbie Grove

Tournament Chief Statistician Chris Bailey

Tournament Convenor Sue Nisbet

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW 8 dftd Qld 0

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 NSW Most Valuable Player – Georgia Blair (Qld)

2 Qld Best Pitcher – Gabrielle Plain (NSW)

3 Vic Best Batter – Natasha Young (NSW)

4 SA Player of the Grand Final – Montana Kearnes

(NSW)

5 WA

6 ACT

7 Tas

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Gabrielle Plain (NSW)

Catcher Amber Hood (SA)

1st Base Rachel Kraak (Qld)

2nd Base Dorinda Stone (Qld)

3rd Base Brianna Trim (NSW)

Shortstop Georgia Blair (Qld)

Outfield Tearnee Morrice (Qld)

Emily Read (NSW)

Rhiannon Kemp (Qld)

Designated Player Natasha Young (NSW)

Page 65 of 76

U19 Men’s National Softball Championship

Playing for the Nox Bailey Shield

Blacktown, NSW

17-23 January 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Harvey Milson

Umpire-in-Chief Leigh Evans

Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs

Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW 3 dftd Qld 1

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 NSW Most Valuable Player – Mitchell Woodworth (Qld)

2 Qld Best Pitcher – Chris Gillies (NSW)

3 ACT Best Batter – Blake Bell (NSW)

4 Vic Player of the Grand Final – Henry Groth (NSW)

5 WA

6 Tas

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Luke Ollerenshaw (NSW)

Catcher Joshua McGovern (ACT)

1st Base Scott Newling (WA)

2nd Base Izack Rossi (NSW)

3rd Base Blake Bell (NSW)

Shortstop Nicholas Sheedy (Vic)

Outfield Alexander Cleary (Qld)

Adam Talarico (Vic)

Dylan Hard (Tas)

Designated Player Dawson Summers (WA)

Page 66 of 76

U17 Girls’ National Softball Championship

Playing for the Esther Deason Shield

Blacktown International Sportspark, NSW

3-9 January 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Kylie Bloodworth

Umpire-in-Chief Darren Sibraa

Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs

Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW 3 dftd Qld 1

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 NSW Most Valuable Player – Tarni Stepto (NSW)

2 Qld Best Pitcher – Tarni Stepto (NSW)

3 SA Best Batter – Georgia Hood (SA)

4 Vic Player of the Grand Final – Tarni Stepto (NSW)

5 WA

6 ACT

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Tarni Stepto (NSW)

Catcher Brianna McLeod (Qld)

1st Base Emily Hopkins (SA)

2nd Base Jessica Woodbank (NSW)

3rd Base Georgia O’Donovan (Vic)

Shortstop Jenna Trim (NSW)

Outfield Rhiannon Kemp (Qld)

Chelsea Radin (Vic)

Anneliese Brenner (NSW)

Designated Player Georgia Hood (SA)

Page 67 of 76

U17 Boys’ National Softball Championship

Playing for the Arthur Allsopp Shield

Mirrabooka International Softball Stadium, WA

3-9 January 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Richard Costantino

Umpire-in-Chief Scott Rindfleish

Tournament Chief Statistician Sandra Palmer

Tournament Convenor Donna Powell

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW 5 dftd Qld 4

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 NSW Most Valuable Player – Jett Wright (WA)

2 Qld Best Pitcher – Jerone Tan (ACT)

3 ACT Best Batter – Jett Wright (WA)

4 WA Player of the Grand Final – Shaun Lanaghan

(NSW)

5 Vic

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Jerone Tan (ACT)

Catcher Rhys Shelly (Qld)

1st Base Jett Wright (WA)

2nd Base Mac Reith-Snare (NSW)

3rd Base Daniel Harrison (NSW)

Shortstop Dawson Summers (WA)

Outfield Sam Miners (ACT)

Sheldon Waller (Qld)

Jeremy Waters (Qld)

Designated Player Logan Campbell (NSW)

Page 68 of 76

NSR U15 Girls’ Regional Softball Championship

Redlands, Qld

17-23 January 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Richard Costantino

Umpire-in-Chief Kevin Tannebring

Tournament Chief Statistician Chris Bailey

Tournament Convenor Sue Nisbet

GRAND FINAL RESULT

NSW Metro Orange 7 dftd NSW Metro Green 4

FINAL PLACINGS

1 NSW Metro Orange

2 NSW Metro Green

3 Qld Fire

4 SA Red

5 Qld Flames

6 Vic

7 ACT

8 SA Blue

9 NSW Country Gold

10 WA

Page 69 of 76

NSR U15 Boys’ Regional Softball Championship

Blacktown, NSW

17-23 January 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Harvey Milson

Umpire-in-Chief Trevor Murphy

Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs

Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Qld Storm 7 dftd NSW Metro Orange 2

FINAL PLACINGS

1 Qld Storm

2 NSW Metro Orange

3 Qld Thunder

4 NSW Country Gold

5 NSW Metro Green

Page 70 of 76

OTHER RESULTS

Australia Cup

Blacktown International Sportspark, NSW

13-15 May 2016

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Richard Costantino

Umpire-in-Chief Andrew Rindfleish

Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

GRAND FINAL RESULT

Open Women – North Shore Storm 3 dftd Arrows 1

U17 Girls – Endeavour Wave 12 dftd Hawks 10

U15 Girls – Sweet Heat 13 dftd Firecrackers 6

U13 Girls – Canberra Eclipse Orange 15 dftd Sweet Heat Black 4

COMPETITION WINNERS

Home Run Derby (Open Women)

Megan Mollies (Tigers)

Fastest Pitch (U17 Girls) Kandra Lamb (Hawks)

Running the Bases (U15 Girls) Bailey Henderson (Firecrackers)

Running the Bases (U13 Girls) Rachel Bardney (Sweet Heat Pink)

Page 71 of 76

International Friendship Series

Blacktown International Sportspark, NSW

29 June – 3 July 2015

Softball Australia Technical Delegate Shane Cantelmi

Umpire-in-Chief Richard Dodds

Tournament Chief Statistician Kaye Greggs

Tournament Convenor Cathy Kerr

WOMEN’S COMPETITION – GRAND FINAL RESULT

USA Athletes 11 dftd Australia Gold 0

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 USA Athletes Most Valuable Player – Madelynn Antone (USA Athletes)

2 Australia Gold Best Pitcher – Samantha Hislop (USA Athletes)

3 Cleveland State Best Batter – Cynthia Woodard (Cleveland State)

4 NSW Player of the Grand Final – Samantha Hislop (USA Athletes)

5 Qld

6 Ausralia Green

7 Casey Coyotes

8 NZ Development

9 Wynnum

10 Wolves

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Samantha Hislop (USA Athletes)

Catcher Carley Parkes (Wynnum)

1st Base Laura Passfield (NSW)

2nd Base Kari Hillenburg (USA Athletes)

3rd Base Eva Carless (Qld Development)

Shortstop Cynthia Woodard (Cleveland State)

Outfield Kait Gairing (Cleveland State)

Shannon Keevers (Aussie Green)

Tia Waters (Aussie Green)

Designated Player Madelynn Antone (USA Athletes)

Page 72 of 76

2015 AUSTRALIAN U19 WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT TEAMS

AUSSIE GOLD TEAM

Kate Armstrong (NSW), Anneliese Brenner (ACT), Phoebe Collins (Qld), Chloe Holman (NSW), Emily

Hopkins (SA), Ellie Lees (NSW), Courtney May (SA), Amelia Mercuri (Vic), Narisse Privitera (Vic), Kalani

Selu (ACT), Maddison Smith (NSW), Tarni Stepto (NSW), Brianna Trim (NSW), Mihikura Tuialii (Vic),

Tiffany Zuch (Qld)

OFFICIALS

Head Coach – William Gates (NSW), Assistant – Nicky Baldwin (NT), Team Manager – Meegan Roberts

(SA), Physiotherapist – Cindy Chang (SA)

AUSSIE GREEN TEAM

Madeleine Beard (NSW), Erin Blackmore (Qld), Piera Charles (Vic), Madison Falcon-Green (Qld), Kelsey

Griffen (NSW), Natasha Holt (Vic), Montana Kearnes (NSW), Shannon Keevers (NSW), Rachel Kraak

(Qld), Jamie Mead (SA), Brooke Melavirta (ACT), Rachel Sharp (NSW), Tegan Trindle (Qld), Tia Waters

Qld), Tamieka Whitefield (Qld)

OFFICIALS

Head Coach – Vicki Bingley (ACT), Assistant – Graeme Tuialii (Vic), Assistant – Fiona Mills (Vic), Team

Manager – Jacqui Dunn (SA), Physiotherapist – Gemma Thomson (NSW)

Page 73 of 76

MEN’S COMPETITION - GRAND FINAL RESULT

Australia Green 9 dftd NZ Development 2

FINAL PLACINGS

AWARDS

1 Australia Green Most Valuable Player – Bailey Macdonald (NZ Dev)

2 NZ Development Best Pitcher – Steven Dawson (Western Civil)

3 Western Civil Best Batter – Matthew Wickham (Canberra)

4 Canberra Player of the Grand Final – Josh McGovern (Australia Green)

5 Australia Gold

6 NSW

7 Queensland Development

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Pitcher Steven Dawson (Western Civil)

Catcher Matthew Wickham (Canberra)

1st Base Lachlan Butt (Canberra)

2nd Base Dean Leskie (Western Civil)

3rd Base Nicholas Sheedy (Western Civil)

Shortstop Zachary Boyd (NZ Development)

Outfield Bailey Macdonald (NZ Development)

Steven Garoni (Western Civil)

Jordan Tahana (NZ Development)

Designated Player Stuart Perry (NSW)

Page 74 of 76

AUSSIE GOLD TEAM

Jacob Cassar (Vic), Brennan Dempsey (Qld), Jacob Donaldson (NSW), Bradley Dunn (NSW), Jacob

Garland (NSW), Blake Jackson (NSW), Kyle Johnson (ACT), Nixon Kim (WA), Michael Ludkin Qld),

Ryan Mayer (ACT), Isaac McDonald (NSW), James Purcell (Qld), Mathew Roberts-Osborne (NSW),

Joshua San Juan (ACT), Julian Scott-Davies (Qld), Taikaora Whaanga (NSW)

OFFICIALS

Head Coach – Gary Butler (WA), Assistant – Vikki Bingley (ACT), Assistant – Maurice Paraha (Qld),

Team Manager – Rod King (ACT)

AUSSIE GREEN TEAM

Blake Bell (NSW), Alex Cleary (Qld), Chris Gillies (NSW), Aiden Kennedy (NSW), Shaun Lanaghan

(NSW), Josh McGovern (ACT), Nicholas Moore (NSW), Jack Noble (NSW), Luke Ollerenshaw (NSW),

Izack Rossi (NSW), Andrew Seabrook (Qld), Dylan Sheehan (Qld), Dawson Summers (WA), Adam

Talarico (Vic), Luke Thomas (Qld), Mitchell Woodworth (Qld)

OFFICIALS

Head Coach – Lindsey Carroll (ACT), Assistant – Adam Rindfleish (NSW), Assistant – Phillip Powell

(ACT), Team Manager – Maxine Cleary (Qld), Physiotherapist – Rowena Toppenberg (Qld)

Page 75 of 76

SPONSORS AND PROVIDERS

PRINCIPAL PARTNERS

INDIGENOUS SOFTBALL PROGRAM PARTNER

CORPORATE CLUB

Page 76 of 76

Softball ACT

t: 02 6278 3000 f: 02 6278 3111 e: softballact@bigpond.com w: www.act.softball.org.au

Softball NSW

t: 02 9677 4000 f: 02 9677 4040 e: office@softball.net.au w: www.softball.net.au

Softball NT

t: 08 8927 3333 e: enquiries@softballnt.com

www.nt.softball.org.au

07 3391 2447 07 3391 4734 admin@softballqld.asn.au www.qld.softball.org.au

08 8353 6766 08 8353 2480 admin@softballsa.com.au www.sa.softball.org.au

0409 383 960 03 6249 3589 tassoftball@yahoo.com www.tas.softball.org.au

03 9415 1745 03 8678 3018 admin@softballvic.org.au www.victoria.softball.org.au

08 9349 9911 08 9345 3553 admin@softballwa.org.au

Softball Queensland Inc

t: f: e: w:

Softball SA

t: f: e: w:

Softball Tasmania

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Softball Victoria

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Softball WA

t: f: e: w: www.wa.softball.org.au

w: