Softball Australia is proud to congratulate Tanya Harding OLY as the fourth softballer to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. 

Tanya joins Esther Deason OBE (1994), Midge Nelson BEM (1985) and Joyce Lester OLY OAM (2000) as Australia’s only other softball members in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Tanya was thrilled with her induction into the Hall of Fame and thanked those who supported her on her journey.

“Being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is such an extreme honour and I am so proud. I am humbled to join the ranks of our nations sporting great including fellow softballers, Joyce, Midge and Esther. From my ground roots of South Brisbane Association, Brisbane Softball, Queensland and Australia, I want to extend my gratitude and thanks to all my teammates, coaches, umpires, statisticians, officials and the softball fans for all of their support not only to me, but to our sport.” 

“Without this extensive collective group and their commitment to the game I would not have had the opportunity to play such a great game, and for so long. And thanks of course to my family who have always been my biggest fans throughout my life and my sporting career.” Harding said.

Tanya is the 166th player to represent the Australian Women’s team, the Aussie Spirit, one of the most complete players to ever wear to Australian softball uniform. As a pitcher and hitter she played 283 games and over 50 tournaments from 1993 to 2008. 

Throughout that time, Tanya competed at four World Championships in 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006, and four Olympic Games in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008.

She is one of only four softballers in the world to medal in four Olympic Games, with three bronze medals and one silver medal.  She joins a small group of Australian Olympians including Natalie Ward and Melanie Roche and swimmer Leisel Jones to medal at four Olympic Games. 

After the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Tanya made the decision to retire from international competition at age 36. 

Throughout her softball career, Tanya was awarded many individual honours, including an unprecedented five Midge Nelson Most Valuable Player medals due to her performance the Open Women’s National Championships.

Tanya was inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 2012 and was inducted into the World Baseball Softball Confederation Hall of Fame in 2019.

Her incredible ability combined with her mental approach made her one of the most formidable opponents and favoured teammate. She is a role model for current players and a hero to all young players out there wanting to follow their dreams. 

Softball Australia thanks Tanya for her unconditional dedication to the sport, and her induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is justified recognition of her service and accomplishments. 

Read the Sport Australia Media Release here.