The inaugural #BackOnBase Grants program, which saw AU$60,000 awarded to Clubs across the country to fund participation and membership retention initiatives has seen some very positive results.

After the acquitting process of successful grants, Softball Australia is delighted to announce over 1,400 brand new participants have been recruited to the sport, leading to over 900 new registered members.

Importantly, for a sport with a small workforce and volunteer base, a total of 115 grassroots coaches and 55 new officials have joined their local softball organisation as a result of the various activations.

The campaign was launched in August and aimed to encourage Clubs to apply for a grant ranging from AU$200 – AU$1,000, with $60,000 to be used for innovative participation and retention initiatives and saw an overwhelming response from Clubs across Australia.

After an overwhelming response, and now significant numbers added to playing and officiating ranks, Softball Australia Chief Executive Officer David Pryles said the program was a massive success in what was the first initiative during the COVID-19 hit 2020.

“I was so impressed with the measurable results we were able to achieve for the sport with the #BackOnBase campaign,” said Pryles.

“We had an enormous response in applications alone, so the committee selected to award the successful grants had their work cut out for them.

“It’s fantastic to see the Clubs who secured funds were able to take full advantage and grow the game in their own innovative way.”

The inaugural Grant program’s success comes off the back of the news of Softball Australia securing funding from Sport Australia in following the Federal Government’s 2020-2021 budget.

Sport Australia Acting CEO, Rob Dalton commended Softball Australia on the initiative, saying the #BackonBase program is a great example of a sport thinking outside the box to grow participation.

“This Softball Australia grants program is a shining light to encourage all sports across the country to get innovative in their approach to retaining and attracting participants and volunteers,” said Dalton.

“Empowering grassroots volunteers with funds to be used exclusively for participation initiatives can bring about some fantastic ideas and I applaud the softball community for running with the opportunity.”

The range of successful initiatives, from letterbox drops to gala days, were all effective in growing number or at the least increasing local Club and Association’s profiles in their own communities through digital advertising and social media campaigns.

On average, each successfully acquitted initiative recruited 10 members to the Club or Association.

Standout projects included the development of the Kaltukatjara Softball Hub in the remote community of Kaltukatjara, in the Northern Territory. This initiative was established by Softball NT in partnership with key people within the community, Steven Trindle, an Arrernte man living in the community, along with a Community elder, Priscilla De Rosa.

Together they played a pivotal role in engaging women in the community, now Softball is played most nights informally by women, children and youth, and every Tuesday and Thursday night, Steven coaches 20 women with the goal to enter a team in the Northern Territory Championships.

Melbourne University Softball Club in Victoria and West Torrens Softball Club in South Australia centred their application around celebrating LGBTQ inclusion.

Some other innovative projects were also delivered, none more so than Taipans Sports Inc in Queensland, Tee-ball by the Beach program.

The Club ran a Tee-ball Program on Australia Day January 26, 2021, at Kemp Beach, Yeppoon, resulting in 36 new registered members.

A number of Clubs utilised their grant in marketing their respective programs and initiatives, from printed collateral, to purchasing radio advertisement slots and seeking professional graphic designers to help in their collateral as well as effectively utilising social media to advertise their club, program or event. Saints Softball Club in Tasmania delivered a Radio Advertising and social media campaign over two weeks, resulting in 18 new members across all junior, and senior men and women teams.