U14 Australian Women Impress at Blacktown International Cup

The U14 Australian Women’s Team recently competed at the Blacktown International Sportspark International Cup in Sydney, with 15 athletes coming together for an important development opportunity within the Australian Women’s pathway.

Competing against teams featuring athletes up to U19, the young Australian squad produced an outstanding performance throughout the tournament, demonstrating their ability to compete against more experienced opposition while continuing to develop within a high-performance team environment.

The International Cup provided the athletes with an intensive week of competition, with the team playing 7  round-robin games before progressing into additional Star Series fixtures against New Zealand and the USA. The demanding schedule challenged the athletes physically and mentally, while providing valuable opportunities to experience the intensity and expectations of international-level competition.

Australia opened the tournament against USA Red before facing the Victorian Chargers, ISA New Zealand and USA Blue across a busy first day. The team continued to compete strongly throughout the tournament, recording a draw against New Zealand and finishing the round-robin component with four wins, one draw and five losses.

Among the team's highlights were victories over the Emeralds, Rubies and ISA New Zealand, including a 10–6 win over New Zealand and a 9–4 victory over the Rubies in their final round-robin game.

The results were particularly impressive given the age and experience of the opposition, with the U14 athletes consistently demonstrating their ability to compete, adapt and perform against older players.

Reflecting on the team's performance, Head Coach Leigh Martyn said the athletes had exceeded expectations throughout the tournament.

“They took on players significantly older and more experienced than themselves, including Australian representative athletes, talented USA players and women in some cases up to ten years older than them, and not one of them took a backward step.”

Martyn highlighted the way the athletes embraced the challenges presented throughout the tournament.

“They embraced every challenge with courage, confidence and determination and were a credit to themselves, their families and the program.”

Looking ahead to New Zealand

The U15 Women’s World Cup Qualifier Selection Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra held in April was an important step in the selection process for the U14 Australian Women's New Zealand Tour Team.

The upcoming tour will see the selected athletes represent Australia in New Zealand from Friday 25 September to Saturday 3 October 2026.

U14 Australian Women's Team – New Zealand Tour

Friday 25 September – Saturday 3 October 2026, New Zealand

Congratulations to the following athletes selected to represent Australia on the upcoming tour:

Staff

The tour will provide the athletes with another important opportunity to gain international experience, continue their development and build on the lessons from the Blacktown International Cup.

Thank you, Leigh

Softball Australia would also like to sincerely thank Leigh Martyn, U14 Australian Women's Head Coach, for her contribution to the U14 Women's program.

Leigh will step away from the Head Coach role following the completion of the current program. Her contribution to the development of the athletes and establishment of the U14 program has been greatly valued.

Reflecting on her time with the group, Martyn said:

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of their journey. I will continue to follow their progress with great interest and will always be proud of what this group achieved and the young ladies they are becoming.”

For the upcoming New Zealand Tour, Casey Warren will step into the role of Interim Head Coach, with an Expression of Interest process for the ongoing U14 Australian Women's Head Coach position to open shortly.

The Blacktown International Cup highlighted the exciting potential within Australia's emerging women's pathway, with this group of U14 athletes showing that they can compete against older and experienced opposition while embracing the standards and expectations of a national team environment.

With the New Zealand Tour now ahead, the athletes will have another opportunity to continue building on this progress and take the next step in their Australian pathway journey.