2023 Gilley's Shield - Open Women

A note from the CEO of Softball Australia

On behalf of Softball Australia, I’d like to welcome you to the 75th Gilley's Shield Open Women’s National Softball Championship here at West Beach, in what is sure to be an exciting few days. I'm pleased that families around the country will be able to watch every game of the Gilley’s Shield thanks to Softball South Australia and their partnership with Spacequake Sports.

The Gilley’s Shield is perhaps the most important and prestigious softball tournament in Australia. It is steeped in history, and the list of previous award winners is a roll call the most famous athletes from our sport.

The overarching purpose of the Softball Australia National Championship Series is to show our selectors the best in Australian softball. With the WBSC's XVII Softball World Cup scheduled for July 2023, this week represents an exciting opportunity for athletes to be noticed in the hopes of making it into the national squad. 

Our Aussie Spirit is also experiencing a generational change. A host of senior players are nearing the end of their career, opening the door for the next wave of elite softballers. We may see who is willing to take their chance and step up to that opportunity this week.

South Australia won the 2022 edition of the Gilley's Shield - their first in 66 years - showing the strength of the program at West Beach. They'll have their hands full this year: New South Wales will be bringing seven Olympic representatives to this year's Championship, Queensland will be bringing their momentum from their Under 23 wins in 2022, while Victoria, ACT and WA will all be bringing their A game. New talent can come from anywhere and dominate with bat or ball, helping teams to reach new heights and putting the world on notice. 

To all of our players, coaches, volunteers, full-time staff from the Member States across the country and to our hosts Softball SA, thank you for your hard work and dedication to making this week happen, I look forward to seeing who hoists the Gilley’s Shield at the end of the tournament.

Best of luck to all,

Rosie Williams OBE

Chief Executive Officer, Softball Australia 

On behalf of Softball SA, it is my duty and pleasure to extend a warm welcome to the players, supporters, and officials to the 75th Gilley's Shield Open Women's National Championship.

Softball SA acknowledges and we pay our respects to the Kaurna people, the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we will be conducting this event. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of the Kaurna people to country and we respect and value their past, present and ongoing connection to the land and cultural beliefs.

To all our visitors from interstate and around SA, I extend a warm welcome, and I trust your stay in the Adelaide is an enjoyable one.

This will be the eleventh time we have hosted the Gilley's Shield and we very much look forward to playing host.

A tournament such as this requires tremendous commitment and dedication by all the staff and volunteers involved, and I’d like to express a special thankyou to the SA softball community, umpires, statisticians and championship officials for selflessly giving up your time for this event.

To all the team support staff, and the team’s supporters, I am very grateful you choose to give us your time, especially during these uncertain times, and appreciate all you have sacrificed to be here.

On behalf of Softball SA, I wish the best of luck to all the competing teams. I trust everyone enjoys a big finish to an exciting month of softball.

James Wilson
Chairman, Softball South Australia

Ticket Pricing

Tickets available exclusively at West Beach on the day of the event.

Venue Map

Click on map to expand.

Officials

Officials

Officials

Officials

Officials

Officials

Event Officials

Umpires

Statisticians

Click here to view Softball South Australia Contacts.

Barratt Reserve, West Beach Road, West Beach, SA, 5024
admin@softballsa.com.au
08 8353 6766

In addition to Softball Australia’s values and general Code of Conduct, as a spectator involved with Softball Australia, a Member State or an affiliated association or club activity must meet the following requirements in regard to your conduct during that activity:

1. Applaud good performance and efforts from all players and teams. Congratulate all players on their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
2. Respect the decisions of officials and coaches and teach young people to do the same.
3. Never ridicule or scold a young player for making a mistake. Positive comments are motivational.
4. Condemn the use of violence in any form, whether it is by other spectators, coaches, officials or players.
5. Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
6. Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
7. Do not use violence, harassment or abuse in any form (ie do not use foul language, sledge or harass players, coaches, umpires, officials or other spectators).
8. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.