Received: 11/2/07 1:02:09 AM From: "DiAnne Lilburn" <dianne.lilburn(at)softball.org.au>
Subject: Aussies prepare for top honour -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Media Release 2 November 2007 Aussies prepare for top honour Two Australian softball umpires have been selected to umpirethe sport of softball at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Debbie Grove, who just last month picked up the SoftballAustralia Umpire of the Year Award, has been appointed alongside Dianne Waller. The pair, who are both from Victoria, are among 12 umpires,six females and six males, to have been selected from around the world,including from countries not participating in the Olympics. At the recent International Softball Federation Congressheld in Manila, the announcement was made and the list of officials released. Debbie and Diane were unaware of their nominations and wereboth ecstatic to hear that they had been selected after receiving a phone callfrom Softball Australias National Umpire-in-Chief, Andrew Rindfleishduring the Congress. I received an email and then spoke to Andrew whoadvised me that I had been selected to umpire at the Olympic Games. It was sucha surprise and complete honour to have been nominated by SoftballAustralia, said Debbie. Debbie who has been involved in softball for 40 years andhas umpired for 20 of them, recently umpired at her fourth ISF WorldChampionship, the ISF Junior Womens World Championship in theNetherlands. Her involvement at such a high level for a number of yearsenabled her to meet the criteria set out by the ISF. This is the first time that I have been selected forthe Olympics so it just so exciting. I have umpired at four world championshipsso it will be interesting to see if and who different it is at this level. Itis a bonus that Di has been selected as well, concluded Debbie. Diane has been involved in the game for 30 years as aplayer, coach, examiner and umpire. She also has a long list of achievements atnational and international competitions. She has been to China and Beijing andis looking forward to going again. Although Diane cannot remember her initial reaction to thephone call, she says that she still cannot believe it. I think I am still in shock. I am just so excitedabout being nominated and selected. My initial reaction to the phone call wasWOW and I threw my hands up into the air, said Diane. Umpiring is a love of Dianes and she has been on thediamond for 17 years and for her is about friendship and being consistent anhonest. Her philosophy - you need to umpire to the best of your abilityevery time that you step out onto the diamond. Its the camaraderie of people you meet. It islike a big family that just keeps growing like the game, concludedDiane. The selection of two umpires from Australia is testament tothe standard of the Softball Australia umpiring programs. To have two femalesis truly a positive affirmation that the female component of our umpiringprogram is the equal of any in the world. AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW Debbie Grove Diane Waller FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Mark McAllion Chief Executive Officer Softball Australia Mobile: 0432 426 477 _____________________________________ DiAnne Lilburn National Communications Coordinator Softball Australia Level 2, 21 Burwood Road Hawthorn, Victoria 3122 T: +61 3 9818 6144 F: +61 3 9819 6199 M: +61 (0) 405 509 674 For more information visit www.softball.org.au Al's Fastball News *Email: fastball(at)pmihrm.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] NEWS-1: http://www.AlsFastball.com/ NEWS-2: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball VIA http://www.webbox.com
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