U15 State Championships - Postponed

The U15 State Championships have been postponed due to the ongoing severe weather. Softball Queensland is now working with both host associations to determine a suitable date to host these events.

Softball Queensland would like to acknowledge and express our endless thanks to Hervey Bay Softball and Suncoast Hinterland Softball Associations for their tireless efforts in trying to deliver the U15 State Championships. They battled the elements for days leading up to the events to make their fields playable.

They continuously communicated with their local councils and the SQI office to ensure that accurate information on the weather was being delivered. Both Associations and their volunteers have outdone themselves to source other options to run these events including contacting several venues to try to move the competitions. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our sport and HBSA and SHSA volunteers epitomise what it means to be the very best in volunteering.

Photo credit: Sam Donkin Photography

Forkin and Blackman join Chicago Spirit

Softball Queensland extends it's congratulations to Janice Blackman and Chelsea Forkin, who have been selected to join the Chicago Bandits who play in the National Pro Fastpitch league. 

The Bandits, who won the NPF championship in the past two years, play at a purpose-built stadium in Rosemont, Illinois, one of the premier softball facilities in the USA.

SQI Award Nominations

Reminder: Award nominations are now open for the SQI Awards! Be sure to nominate and recognize your DA and club volunteers. Contact Nicole for nomination forms or more information. 

Let Kids Be Kids - Play By The Rules

Play by the Rules have launched a new national campaign, the Australian version of Let Kids be Kids to address poor sideline behaviour – largely at junior sport.  The videos and other support material will be released in stages throughout the junior winter season to help promote awareness of this issue.  Queenslander, Sam Thaiday will feature in one of these upcoming videos.  Please see the links below to the videos that have already been released plus additional support information for Clubs and Associations.

Save the Date
Murri Women's Tournament

This year's Murri Women’s tournament will be held on the 18th-19th of November at Redlands Softball Association. This will be the fourth year of the tournament and teams are invited from all over Queensland to participate. Head to the website to stay up to date!

2017 Clubbies Awards - Vote for Softball

Thanks to the softball community, the sport of softball has three nominees in the 2017 Clubbies Awards shortlisted for two awards, with Queensland having two of these nominees. 

Congratulations to:
Best Sport Association – Gold Coast Softball Association
Best Coach – David Webb – Lowood Softball Club

This acknowledgement for your efforts and achievements is very well deserved. Please get behind each nominee and vote! Voting closes on 10 April.

Australian teams named

2017 Open Men's Squad - Aussie Steelers

Congratulations to the following Queenslanders selected in the 30 strong 2017 Open Men’s Squad. 

Shaun Goffer
Julian Jemmott
Marshall Kronk
Ryan Merriman
Tyrell Priestly
Layton Reid

From this squad, a team of 17 players will be selected to compete at the 2017 WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship, to be held at Whitehorse in Yukon, Canada, from 7-16 July.

2017 Open Women's Squad - Aussie Spirit

Congratulations to the following players named in this year's squad: 

Janice Blackman
Chelsea Forkin
Sandra Holden
Justine Smethurst
Carmelle Sorensen
Erin Thras
Jessica Torpey

Congratulations also to Georgia Blair, Tara Speakman and Dorinda Stone who have been named as Identified Pathway Athletes.

2017 Junior Women's Squad - Junior Spirit

Congratulations to the following players on their selection:

Shinai Gibbons 
Rhiannon Kemp
Rachel Kraak
Tegan Trindle
Tia Waters
Tamieka Whitefield
Tiffany Zuch

This year will be a big one for Australia’s best young female softball players, with the XII Junior Women’s World Championship to be held this year. The Junior Spirit team to travel to Clearwater, Florida in July will be selected from the squad.

2017 Junior Female Friendship Series Squad Announced

Congratulations to the Queensland Players on their selection in the Friendship Series Squad:

Shinai Gibbins
Madisun Grahm
Jacquelyn O'Connor
Jemma Punch
Monique Smith
Brooke Stewart
Kayla Waller
Shania Watson. 

The Under 17 aged group have been invited to attend a three day development training camp which serves as an introduction and first step into the Softball Australia High Performance pathway. This is then followed by participation at the 2017 International Friendship Series, a five day tournament which invites international, state, academy and regional teams to participate in a round robin style format.

Positions Vacant: Friendship Series Squad

Softball Australia is seeking expressions of interest for coaches and team managers for Australian squads for the 2017 Softball Australia International Friendship Series program, to be held at Redlands Softball Association, from Friday 30 June – Friday 7 July.

Softball Australia will have two junior women’s and two junior men’s teams participating in the program and is seeking:

• 1 Head Coach per team (4 in total)
• 2 Development Coaches per team (8 in total)
• 1 Team Manager per team (4 in total)