Chantelle Ladner will become Australia’s newest Aussie Spirit player, after a player change to the Australian Open Women’s team last weekend. 

Ladner is a former member of the Australian Under 19 Team that competed at the 2015 WBSC Junior World Championship, and won Best Pitcher at the Under 17 National Championships in 2015. 

Ladner also played for the University of Utah and the Salt Lake City Bruins in the US College system, but the Canada Cup will be the first time she wears the green and gold of the Aussie Spirit. 

Ladner will also stay on with the team for the World Games in Birmingham, USA. 

Tarni Stepto has withdrawn from the tour due to an injury sustained during the US College season, and Kaia Parnaby is unavailable following a busy professional season in Japan and is taking a small break to refresh before next season. 

Charli Orsini will also move to the Spirit Development team, and Steph Trzcinski will also continue with the team to the World Games after the Canada Cup. 

Softball Australia CEO Rosie Williams OBE said, “Player injury, contractual issues, and the need for rest following long international seasons have all raised selection challenges over the last few weeks, but we’ve managed to adjust and respond, and hopefully these are the last changes we’ll need to make. 

“I’d also like to congratulate Chantelle on her selection as an Aussie Spirit player. It’s a huge accomplishment in representing Australian women’s softball, and I wish her all the best on the tour.” 

Click here to see the Aussie Spirit team