The Under 23 Women get the first slot in the 2023 Softball Australia National Championships, kicking off the calendar from December 14-18 at West Beach - Kaurna Country - Adelaide.

With an international flavour and a total of seven teams competing, this edition of the Joyce Lester Shield is sure to be a cracker.

Defending champions Queensland have now won the past two events, but with a few of their big names from last year moving up into the Open Women's bracket they may have a big challenge on their hands.

It's always positive to see more teams and this year we get two, with the ACT coming back to the field and our international visitors arriving from East Texas Baptist University. The Tigers are a member of the NCAA and compete in Division III, with three of their players making NFCA All-American teams in 2022. Two of those players have made the trip over: Shortstop Tristen Maddox and Utility Delanie Loya, who were named in the All American Second Team and Third Team respectively. The East Texans will be looking for a competitive tournament, however they will not be eligible for finals due to tournament rules.

The Canberrans return to the Joyce Lester Shield will be strengthened by Diamonds Brianna Kimber, the McCreedy sisters Caitlin and Samantha, Micaela Tuohy and Caitlyn Savage as they look to claim their first ACT Under 23 championship.

New South Wales have won five titles since the Under 23 format was introduced in 2004, and with a deep line-up and strong state pedigree, no one will be surprised to see the Sky Blues in contention come finals time.

Victoria have claimed three Joyce Lester Shields however their last championship was 14 years ago. The Navy Blues will be aiming to better their 4th place finish, and to do that they'll be looking for leadership from 2022 Open Women's representatives Caitlin Laird, Kiara Rhind-Luke, Karri Pritchard, Teraize Bonner and Kasey Smith.

2022 Gilley's Shield winners Taylor Chillingworth, Neve Adams, and Sophie Roberts all return to the South Australian Under 23 lineup after outstanding performances in July's drought-breaking championship win. Can new head coach Ben Lucas lead them to an oasis and deliver the Joyce Lester Shield into South Australian hands for the first time, or will the Under 23 drought continue?

Western Australia is also vying for their first U23 Women’s title and will be bringing back talents like Willow Swinbourn, Jaymee-Lee Rowe, Skye Ludlam and Tabitha Rewell for another crack at the Shield. To better their fifth-place finish in May, WA will be looking to replicate the conditions from their win over South Australia on Day 3 of the 2022 Championships.

This year's Joyce Lester Shield will include 40 games on the program, with the Grand Final scheduled for 3pm ACDT on Sunday 18 December. Selected games will be live streamed to the Softball Australia Facebook page.

The tournament is an important component of the Australian pathway after the recent launch of the two-squad model by Softball Australia, and players will be eyeing off a spot in the Spirit team for the World Championships in 2023.

The Joyce Lester Shield is named after the Softball Australia and International Hall of Famer, who played 235 games for Australia, and captained the team from 1985 until her retirement in 1996. Joyce Lester OAM is expected to be in attendance to present the Shield to the winning team on Sunday.

The 2023 National Championship schedule concludes with the Over 35 National Championship at Blacktown International Sports Park from July 5-9.

Head to our Facebook page or our dedicated 2023 Joyce Lester Shield page for all the info on this year's Under 23 National Championship!