Softball Australia is deeply saddened to announce the passing of World Champion and Hall of Fame inductee, Norma Woods (nee Allsopp) on Wednesday 7^th August in Melbourne, Australia after a short illness.

The name Allsopp is synonymous with softball excellence in Australia, their legacy impacting every element of the pathway in this country. Her father Arthur was a founder of the Waverley Softball Association and a driving force behind the development of young players in the game. His legacy was solidified in 1982 when the Australian Softball Federation named Australian U16 Boys National Championship, the Arthur Allsopp Shield.

In January 2024, Norma was on hand to present the National championship shield to Queensland on behalf of her father. Year on year, Norma was present on at the Waverley Softball Association’s Grand Final Day proudly presenting the Arthur Allsopp Medal to the most outstanding U14 female player for that season.  Norma described her father as her sporting hero and the one she credited her softball success to.  Arthur was the first male to be inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 1992, before his passing in 1993.

Norma’s brother Ray was revolutionary in his ability to coach and teach the game of softball, and he himself was awarded an OAM for his contribution to softball and Australian Rules Football shortly before his death.

Norma was the 25^th player to represent the Australian Women’s softball team.  In a career that started at a local park in Melbourne as a 10-year-old, coached by Arthur and led to the international stage and world championship glory. Norma debuted for the national team at the age of 16 in 1954 as a dynamic 2^nd base player and went on to represent Australia over an 18-year period, including two world championships, playing 73 games.

In an era where Victorian women dominated the sport, Norma rose through the ranks alongside fellow Victorians, Gladys Phillips, Elinor McKenzie, Margaret Swann, Rita Guy, Midge Nelson, Josie Loton and Denise Hutchinson, which whom she described as family. It was with Phillips, McKenzie, Swann, Guy and Nelson that Norma represented Victoria and Australia who captured the attention of the softball world, claiming the first ever World Championship title in 1965, a feat that has never been achieved since for an Australian Women’s softball team.

She was inducted into Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 1986 alongside her teammates to recognise the significance of that achievement. In 2005, Norma was inducted into the International Softball Federation’s Hall of Fame alongside her teammate and friend, Denise Hutchinson.

Norma’s legacy to the game was toughness, tenacity, and thoughtfulness for her teammates. On hearing the news of her passing, those teammates reflected on what a champion player, wonderful person and great teammate she was.  She was simply ‘one of the best’.

It was in 2015, at the 50^th year anniversary of their World title that connected the team with the current crop of Aussie Spirit players. Aussie Spirit 2^nd base player, Stacey McManus recalls when she met the member of the 1965 World Championship team at the 50-year celebrations in 2015.

“It was such a privilege and honour being able to meet Norma and other members of the 1965 World Championship team. It was great hearing the pride and passion they played with through their stories. Time with Norma and the girls inspired me to continue their legacy wearing the green and gold” McManus said.

What was clear for those in attendance at the 50-year celebrations, that the 1965 team, which Norma was an integral part of, that they were a team on and off the field.  Fourteen naturally talented athletes that had mutual respect and belief in themselves. They described themselves as a family, still something that was so present even 50 years after that world championship victory.

Norma’s passing marks the end of era of the Allsopp name, however it is a legacy that will remain in the fabric of Australian softball for years to come.

Our thoughts are with her family, particularly her son, Cameron at this incredibly difficult time, and her teammates that have lost a true friend. 

Rest in peace Norma