May 2013: Softball Batter Up goes to the APY Lands

In May, Jo Paez, National Softball Batter Up Coordinator, joined Bob Nicholson and Hanna Shelton from Softball South Australia in travelling to the APY Lands to conduct outreach programs in support of remote Indigenous communities. Read more...

 

March 2012: Indigenous Softball Program Strategy Launch

Softball Australia officially launched the Indigenous Softball Program Strategy in Canberra on 23 March 2012. Dignitaries were treated to an exhibition match involving players from the WhISPers Softball Club and Indigenous players from NSW. A presentation was also held of an Indigenous painted bat and ball to government officials. The purpose of the Indigenous Softball Program is to increase participation of Indigenous Australians in all facets and levels of Softball.

For further information on the ISP Strategy Launch click on the following links.

• 4 April 2012: Our newest international, Vanessa steps up to the plate, Participation key to sport's growth
  Credit The Koori Mail
• 27 March 2012: Talent shines onfield - The Chronicle
• 24 March 2012: Chasing Indigenous Talent Article - Canberra Times

April 2012: Softball Australia travels to Indigenous Communities

In April, as part of Softball Australia’s Indigenous Softball Program, Softball Australia and Softball NT staff members travelled to East Arnhem visiting several Indigenous communities, including Yirrkala, Gapuwiyak, Umbakumba, Ramingining, Galiwinku and Milingimbi. A total of 740 participants were involved in Softball clinics, games and training sessions delivered throughout the two weeks. Read more...

February 2012: The art of Indigenous Softball

Softball Australia is pleased to acknowledge the young Aboriginal artists that created a unique Indigenous inspired Softball bat and ball to represent the special spirit and bond between Indigenous communities and the game of Softball. The Softball bat was designed and hand painted by Angelina Doolan (aged 18) to depict the theme of wildflowers in the wet season. Kira Briscoe (aged 14) hand painted the Softball using the elemental colours to represent Air, Water, Fire and Earth. Angelina and Kira are students at the Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville, Victoria.

 

Worawa Aboriginal College have a strong partnership with Softball Victoria through the development of the Worawa Aboriginal College Softball team who participate in the Knox Softball Association Women’s Competition.

Stacey Porter and Jeff Goolagong

Angelina and Kira

Andrew Leigh with bat, presented by Tim Hatzi, Softball Australia

January 2012: Western Desert Trip to Perth and Stacey Porter

As a result of the Softball WA’s strong partnership with the Western Desert community, Softball Western Australia invited a Western Desert team to attend the U/19 Championships in Perth in January 2012. The team accepted the opportunity and attended the championships with the help of Newcrest mining who brought the girls over, covered travel costs and together with Softball WA covered the accommodation cost. Upon hearing that the Western Desert team were attending the Championships, Softball Australia were able to organise for Aussie Spirit Captain and Indigenous role model Stacey Porter to attend and work with the team. Stacey met the team on the Wednesday and delivered a 2 hour skill development clinic along with 2 Softball Australia coaches involving some batting, pitching and fielding drills. The next day the team participated in 2 exhibition matches against a Western Australian All Stars team with Stacey Porter who coached the Western Desert team. A GWN7 reporter attended the clinic and interviewed Stacey and some of the players during the clinic which featured on the news that night. View more...

 

 

 

Updated 4 June 2013