Subject: Queensland to Host First Major International Softball Selection Event Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2005 11:41:16 +1100 From: "DiAnne Lilburn" <dianne.lilburn(at)softball.org.au> Thread-Topic: Queensland to Host First Major International Softball Selection Event
MEDIA RELEASE Queensland to Host First Major International Softball Selection Event 29 November 2005 The Queensland Softball Association in conjunction with Softball Australia and the support of the Australian Institute of Sport will host this year's first major World Championship selection event, the Grand Prix Series, in Brisbane from 2-4 December 2005. The Softball Australia Grand Prix Series features five state institutes and academies of sport teams - the AIS, NSWIS Blues, QAS Heatwave, VIS Titans and Western Arrow. Over 70 of Australia's current top softball players, including Olympians Natalie Ward (NSW), Natalie Titcume (VIC), Tanya Harding (Qld) and Stacey Porter (NSW), will be competing on the diamond to showcase their skills to selectors. "This is one of the major events that athletes have to showcase their skills in front of the national selectors. For many of them, this opportunity will strengthen their claims after some solid performances on tour earlier this year. The selectors are hopeful that some young emerging players will put up their hands and show that they can handle the pressure of elite level softball, which will increase the player base that selectors have to choose from," said Fabian Barlow, Head Coach of the Australian Open Women's team. This year is a world championship year for the Open Women's and Australia's best female softballers from around the country will be vying for a position in the 17 player squad who will represent Australia at the world championships in Beijing in August. The Grand Prix Series combined with the Australian Open Women's Fastpitch Championship, which will be held from 1-7 January at Altona in Victoria, is the beginning of the domestic elite competition and is aimed at providing international selection and development opportunities for elite level female softball players. "The Australian Open Women's team, Aussie Spirit, is currently ranked second in the world so players will need to perform at their best to secure a spot in the squad. It will be extremely competitive and will demonstrate softball at the highest skill level in Australia," concluded Mr Barlow. The overall winning team of the series takes home the Audrey McLaughlin Cup, named after one of Softball Australia's greats, Audrey McLaughlin AM, who will be doing the honours of the 'first pitch' prior to the Grand Final on Sunday. With the first event scheduled for Downey Park, Brisbane, the second and third rounds will be held at Waverley, Victoria (10-12 February) and the New South Wales Softball Centre at Blacktown Olympic Park (14-17 April). AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW * Fabian Barlow, Head Coach, Australian Open Women's team ____________________________________ DiAnne Lilburn National Communications Coordinator Softball Australia Suite 4, Ground Floor 38-40 Prospect Street Box Hill, Victoria 3128 T: +61 3 9890 8200 F: +61 3 9890 8295 M: +61 (0) 405 509 674 For more information visit <http://www.softball.org.au/>www.softball.org.au _____________________________________________________________________________ Did you know that Australia is the world's number one softball nation? World number two - Open Women's team (Aussie Spirit), Silver Medallist (Athens, 2004), Bronze Medallists (Sydney 2000 and Atlanta 1996). World number one - Under 19 Men's team (Aussie Colts), three consecutive World Championship titles. World number three - Open Men's team (Aussie Steelers) and Under 19 Women's team (Aussie Pride). Als Fastball List *Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.AlsFastball.com/ NEWS: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball eScribe is down, but may be back soon escribe.com Our New Condo: http://www.rpt.ca/hunt/ for Sale or Rent _______________________________________________ Alsfastball mailing list [email protected] http://fastpitchwest.com/mailman/listinfo/alsfastball_fastpitchwest.com
