As the world moves into a post-COVID recovery phase, it is timely we provide our players, coaching panels, team staff, selectors, and state administrators with an update of our interim plans for our Performance Programmes over the coming months.

A top-to-bottom performance review is currently being undertaken of both the men’s and women’s programmes, encompassing the Olympics and World Championships, through to the National Championships and the State-based delivery of support.

Furthermore, Softball is not in the Paris Olympics cycle, and therefore our funding status has changed. We are now classed as a Pathway Sport for women, and we have no government funding for the men’s programme.

Selection for squads and teams is also very competitive, and we want to be clear as to the selection process we have followed:

Women:

• The Aussie Spirit Squad: Includes the players that we believe are ready and able to play for Australia in 2022. Selection to the Aussie Spirit Team is based on availability, team needs, competition, and opposition and performance factors.
• The Development Squad: Initially, this was an Under 23s squad, however we believe opening the Development Squad to a wider range of players gives more athletes the opportunity to play games at the highest level and progress their development. This strategy will also allow us to see more players in the limited number of competitive environments that are available this year.
• Under 18 Squad: These are the players who show promise and talent for this age group, and who we believe can progress to the highest possible standard with more work and development.

• Under 16 and Under 14 selections: These athletes are identified by the current talent level they demonstrate, and who will be supported by the various Softball Australia and State-based opportunities during the year, including Softball Australia Summer Camps and/or Performance Training Camps (PTC). Further information on these opportunities will be released next week.

Men:

• Aussie Steelers Squad: The Open Men’s Squad from which the Australian Men’s team will be selected for the Men's World Championships in New Zealand.
• Under 23's Squad: The Under 23 Men’s Squad from which the Australian Men’s Under 23 team will be selected for the Under 23's World Championships in Argentina.
• Under 18’s, 16’s, & 14’s: These athletes are identified by the current talent level they demonstrate, and who will be supported by the various Softball Australia and State-based opportunities during the year.

Next Generation Camps:

Softball Australia is also pleased to announce our new Next Generations athlete development camps. These camps will continue to develop our athletes pending the performance programme review:

• The camps will develop the next generation of Australian softballers by exposing male and female athletes to new and exciting training regimes, including nutrition, strength and conditioning, fitness testing, mental wellbeing, and resilience training.
• Camps will be led by coaches and practitioners from across a wide range of areas, who will bring specialist expertise and knowledge to their sessions.
• Coaches and specialist instructors will also deliver with dedicated softball specific sessions for batting, pitching, fielding, and base running.
• Delivery of skills specific to battery programs and training plans.
• Athletes chosen to participate at the training camps will be selected based on their form at the 2022 National Championships, and from recommendations by state-based coaches and selectors.

More details including specific dates will be announced as soon as a viable training window has been identified and venues have been confirmed, but camps will take place over five days in September during school holidays. Attendance costs will be amortised over all participants.