Softball Australia

An interview with Aussie Spirit catcher, Lauren Daykin

9 July 2010

I started playing Tee Ball with Upwey Ferntree Gully Baseball Club when I was about 6 years old. I got involved because my brother, Michael and all of our neighbours, played with the Club. I also played Tee Ball at Ringwood Baseball Club during the winter season.

When I was about 10 years old, I started playing baseball for Ringwood but switched to softball at my mum's suggestion when I was about 12. I played for the Gully Rebels Softball Club at Knox Softball Association and continued to play both baseball and softball between the ages of 12-16. However Softball became my main focus as I had started to make state teams and was training with them during the winter and no longer had time to play baseball.

When I was 16 we moved to Waverley where the Club competition was much stronger. I joined the Rebels and played with them until they merged with Raiders. I still play with the Raiders and have also played and represented Waverley.

My first state selection was with the Under 18 school girls when I was 14 and selected for the Victorian Under 16 team when I was 15. I was selected in the Under 19 Victorian team my first year of 19s and again when I was 17 years old but decided to head overseas to college in the USA.

In 2003 I took up a scholarship in Florida at Okaloosa Walton Community College. After playing for one season I decided to transfer to Manatee Community College as 2 other Australians were there (Aimee Murch already having been through the program). After graduating from Manatee and going to the Junior College World Series, I was recruited to play at The Ohio State University where I completed my Bachelor Degree and my collegiate Softball career.

I returned to Australia in September 2009 and joined the Victorian Titans for the first time since I left to go overseas in 2003. After playing in the Gilley's Shield, I was selected to debut for Australia against New Zealand in a test series in Brisbane. I was later named in the World Championship team to complete in Venezuela in June 2010.