The implementation of a National Participation Plan and adoption of the One Softball management structure is delivering practical participation outcomes across many states and territories, with several key indicators showing signs of growth at the grassroots level.

The objectives of the National Participation Plan include establishing a junior participation pathway and developing a sustainable structure to grow junior membership, and under One Softball, member states have direct access to Softball Australia’s membership development and participation resources.

As a direct result, participation resourcing in Victoria, ACT, and South Australia has grown significantly in 2021, with dedicated participation experts now in a position to better connect with our softball communities, provide support, and build sustainable programs that can be delivered effectively and efficiently at grassroots level.

In one recent example, Softball Victoria Senior Participation Coordinator Tim Hatzi and the Hawks Fastpitch Softball Club in Melbourne’s west co-designed a 4-week Softball Batter Up program, that gained more than 20 new registrations in late November post lockdown.

The Hawks now plan to capitalise on the momentum of the registration influx by delivering more programs in early 2022, setting the club up for sustained growth in the future.

Since the start of October 2021, the alignment of strategy, management, and resources has delivered other promising outcomes across Victoria, ACT and South Australia:

• A 21% growth in Softball Batter Up (SBU) registrations in November 2021;
• Primary school roadshows delivered that lead into local club Softball Batter Up programs, with over 250 hours invested and nearly 6,000 students introduced to softball;
• Close to 100 hours of dedicated face-to-face support to member associations and clubs to drive participation growth;
• More than 50 hours of training and support provided to member associations and clubs on areas including RevSport, coach, umpire and scoring education and junior program marketing;
• Both ACT and South Australia delivered their first ever Nationally registered Softball Batter Up programs, with the inaugural ACT program incredibly achieving a 100% transition rate to full junior membership;
• A brand new joint softball/baseball junior competition in regional South Australia that attracted over 50 members.

Most importantly, from 2019/20 to 2020/21 Softball Australia recorded just a 0.4% decline in membership, the smallest decline in many years.

National Participation Manager Nick Frayne said the early success highlights the benefits of having a participation strategy that closely aligns with the management structure:

“The National Participation Plan and One Softball structure means staff have clearly defined roles, and our resources are directed to supporting our volunteers within associations and clubs to grow junior membership.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work and unwavering commitment, but the data suggests green shoots are coming through. It just goes to show what can be achieved with clear goals and objectives and a focus on outcomes.”

Whilst all regions have been affected by lockdowns, Victoria and the ACT had over 30 SBU programs at local clubs postponed in mid to late 2021. However, Mr Frayne added that many programs were still able to be successfully delivered in October and November, thanks to the support of Participation Coordinators.

“Tim Hatzi, Brianna Alter, Justin Zelones and Danielle Rigg deserve special recognition for their dedication both during and post lockdown in Victoria and the ACT. The community connection between these staff on the ground and our member clubs and associations is incredibly strong, and the results speak for themselves”.

In another positive development, Softball Australia will be launching a new suite of products in early 2022 for 4-to-10 year olds, that will provide an engaging and fun pathway to club softball for children in both the primary school system and the community club network. More details to be announced shortly.

Photos: Hawks Fastpitch Softball Club, Eastern Raiders Softball Club