Australian softball has featured prominently in the awards ceremony at the WBSC Congress overnight, with no less than five individuals recognised for their service to the softball.

Former National High Performance & Pathway Manager Chet Gray received one of the highest accolades in the sport, the Order of the Golden Diamond, awarded to those persons who have acted in such a way as to develop the ideals of baseball/softball, and for their outstanding merits in widening the horizons, innovation, and research within our sport.

After a remarkable 2021 where she was appointed as Homeplate umpire for the Tokyo 2020 Gold Medal Game, Kyira Cox won the WBSC Umpire of the Year. It is the second time Kyira has received the award, having won previously in 2018.

Three Australians were also inducted in the WBSC Hall of Fame:

Debbie Grove (Official): Debbie has been an active umpire for more than 30 years, from the grassroots to the international stage. She has also played a key role in the National Umpiring Program, with a focus on the Development portfolio. She was inducted into both the Softball Australia and Softball Victoria Hall of Fame in 2018, and awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2020.

Francine McRae (Player): A dominant left-handed batter, Francine played 144 games for Australia from 1994-2000, attending two World Championships and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. She was tournament MVP at the 1994 Australian Open Women’s Championship, and was inducted into the Softball Queensland Hall of Fame in 2003, before joining the Softball Australia Hall of Fame in 2004.

Terry Downes (Player): As a pitcher, Terry was a member of the Australian Open Men’s team from 1995-2000, playing 100 games and attending four Men’s World Championships. He was part of the Open Men’s team in 2009 that won the Men’s Softball World Championship Gold Medal, and he attended the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a Specialist Coach of the Australian Open Women’s team.

Softball Australia CEO Rosie Williams OBE said, “We can all be immensely proud of our award recipients at this year’s WBSC Congress. The Order of the Golden Diamond and the Umpire of the Year are significant honours, and Chet and Kyira have represented themselves and Australia with distinction in being recognised with these awards.

“To have three inductees in the Hall of Fame is also a considerable accomplishment. Debbie, Francine, and Terry have all gone above and beyond in their service to softball, and their induction reflects not only on their dedication, but also the passion and commitment of our entire softball community.”