An event that was highlighted by Head Coach Reggie Fairley as an opportunity to experience competition in a high-performance environment, the Australian U15 Women’s team competed at the U15 WBSC World Cup for the first time with distinction.

“This World Cup was an invaluable experience for our athletes. It was their first opportunity to compete internationally, and they represented Australia with grit, heart, and pride,” said Head Coach Reggie Fairley. “From the first pitch to the final out, their commitment and growth both on and off the field was exceptional. This is just the beginning for these young athletes. A sincere thank you to our dedicated staff for their professionalism, expertise, and unwavering support throughout the campaign. To our families, friends, and the broader softball community back home — your continued support and belief in this team was deeply felt and truly appreciated.”

The lessons learned, friendships formed and the opportunity to travel internationally to play will leave lifelong memories for a group of talented young softballers — a group that will no doubt be inspired to improve their game and strive toward the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Australia finished 8th in the tournament, yet there were outstanding moments throughout where the team showed grit, determination and played exceptional softball.

They were the only team in the Opening Round to take powerhouse USA to seven innings, and they gritted out a win in the final game of the tournament over hometown favourites, Italy, to finish their campaign on a high.

Ella Fretton stood out in the box for the Australians with 21 at-bats, an average of .381, and a slugging percentage of over .500. Jamie Lau and Tazma McQuire also had outstanding tournaments, both hitting over .250 in their first taste of international softball. Jessica Middleton led on the mound, throwing 19 innings, striking out 32 hitters with an ERA of 2.95. Lau also showed what an all-round performer she is, delivering a solid performance on the mound with 13.2 innings, 19 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.59.

Reflecting on the experience, Fretton shared, “The tournament was an incredible experience to be part of and a major learning curve for all 16 of us. As a group, I think we did an amazing job coming together and forming strong bonds — especially considering we only met for the first time at the airport. It was a long and challenging process, both physically and mentally. The intensity of the schedule, the level of competition, and the pressure of performing on an international stage really pushed us to our limits. While we didn’t achieve the result we were hoping for, we all walked away as stronger athletes with a completely new mindset and understanding of what international softball is.”

A member of team’s leadership group, Emilee Hill, also spoke to the importance of the journey.

“The tournament was an incredible journey of growth, resilience, and unity. Our team demonstrated remarkable spirit and determination, overcoming challenges together and showcasing our true potential,” said Hill. “As one of the team leaders, I felt truly honoured to guide such a passionate and dedicated group. Watching us support each other through every moment reminded me that teamwork and leadership go hand in hand, proving that together, we can face anything and come out stronger.”

Game Results

Opening Round

• Australia defeated Singapore – 11-0
• Australia defeated Czechia – 9-4
• Australia lost to Chinese Taipei – 6-9
• Australia lost to Canada – 0-7
• Australia lost to USA – 0-7

Placement Round

• Australia lost to American Samoa – 1-8
• Australia defeated Spain – 5-4
• Australia defeated Italy – 4-3