National Championships
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Each year Softball Australia holds male and female National Championships at U16, U18, U23 and Open level. The purpose of the National Championships includes, but is not limited to:
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OPEN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP – GILLEY’S SHIELDBackgroundThe first official interstate carnival was held in 1947, organised by Mack Gilley, inaugural President of the Queensland Softball Association. The Shield is named in his honour, recognising the significant contribution Gilley made to the sport. Point of InterestThe Audrey McLaughlin Cup is awarded to the team that finishes first at the end of the preliminary round competition. TodayThe 2021 Gilley’s Shield will be held at Hawker International Softball Centre in ACT. The event will be a key selection event for the Travelodge Aussie Spirit team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, to be held from 21-27 July. Read about the history, previous winners and Award recipients.
OPEN MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP, JOHN REID SHIELDBackgroundThe first Men’s Championship was held in 1984 in Sydney and won by Western Australia. The Shield is named to commemorate New Zealand-born state umpire, John Reid, an internationally recognised journalist who became the inspiration for developing men’s softball in NSW. Point of InterestDuring competition, pitching speeds as high as 135km per hour have been recorded. All the more remarkable is the hitters, who face these speeds from a distance of only 46 feet (14.02m). TodayThis event showcases top athletes with outstanding skills. Read about the history, previous winners and Award recipients.
U23 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP, JOYCE LESTER SHIELDBackgroundThe first U23 Women’s Championship was held in 2004 in Ipswich and won by New South Wales. The Shield is named to commemorate legendary Australian player, Joyce Lester, who represented Australia on 235 occasions, including at five world championships and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Point of InterestThe U23 Women’s Championship was played from 2004 to 2008, was not played between 2009 and 2014, but returned to the Australian softball calendar in 2015. TodayThis event provides a pathway opportunity for players coming out of the U18 age group, to continue their development towards the open level. Read about the History, Previous Winners and Award Recipients.
U23 MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP, LAING HARROW SHIELDBackgroundThe first U23 Men’s Championship was held in 2004 in Sydney and won by New South Wales. The Shield is named to commemorate Australian legend, Laing Harrow. Harrow represented Australia at the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Men’s World Championships and now coaches the Aussie Spirit national team. Point of InterestThe U23 Men’s Championship, like the U23 Women’s, was played from 2004 to 2008, was not played between 2009 and 2014, but returned to the Australian softball calendar in 2015. TodayThis event provides a pathway opportunity for players coming out of the U18 age group, to continue their development towards the open level. Read about the History, Previous Winners and Award Recipients.
U18 GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP, ELINOR McKENZIE SHIELDBackgroundThe inaugural tournament for 18s and under was introduced as an equivalent national event in 1974, to fill the gap identified between the U16 and Open Women’s Australian Championships. The tournament was hosted by Victoria in Melbourne and won by New South Wales. The 18 and under age group officially became the U19 Australian Championship in 1976. In 2020, the age group changed to U18, reflecting the change made by the World Baseball Softball Confederation with the age group of the Junior Women’s World Cup. Points of InterestThe trophy was donated in honor of Elinor McKenzie. Elinor had a long and proud history in Softball playing in excess 25 times for Australia in an international career that spanned 12 years. She was a member of the Australian team that won the gold medal at the first Women’s World Softball Championships held in Melbourne, Australia. Elinor was a respected 1st base player held in high regard throughout the Softball world. Sadly, Elinor passed away on the eve of its first presentation on 19 May 1974 before she had the opportunity to present the shield. TodayThis event is a showcase of our future stars, and a major part of the high performance pathway. Many college scouts from the US have identified this event as a recruitment opportunity with many Australian girls being offered scholarships to a number of the top schools in America. Read about the history, previous winners and Award recipients.
U18 BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP, NOX BAILEY SHIELDBackgroundThe first U19 Men’s Championship was held in 1989 in Sydney and was won by NSW. The Shield is named to commemorate Nox Bailey’s contribution to softball. In 2020, the age group changed to U18, reflecting the change made by the World Baseball Softball Confederation with the age group of the Junior Men’s World Cup. Point of InterestThe U18 Boys’ National Championship is the primary selection event for the Junior Steelers, Australia’s Under 19 Men’s team. Australia are five time world champions, winning the WBSC Junior Men’s World Championship in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2008 and 2018. TodayThe Junior Steelers program continues to produce world-class players who progress to the Aussie Steelers team. Read about the history, previous winners and Award recipients.
U16 GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP, ESTHER DEASON SHIELDBackgroundFrom 1970-2010, the Esther Deason Shield was awarded to the winning U16 girls’ team. In 2011, the Championship transitioned to the U17 Girls’ Championship, to reduce the gap to the U19 Championship from three years to two years. In 2020, with the change of the U19s to U18s, the Esther Deason Shield also changed back to U16s, to maintain a two-year difference between championship age groups. Point of InterestEsther was a member of the Australian team that won the first Women’s World Softball Championship held in Melbourne, Australia in 1965. TodayNSW has performed outstandingly at this event, having won the title 26 times from 1970-2020. Read about the history, previous winners and Award recipients.
U16 BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP, ARTHUR ALLSOPPBackgroundThe first U16 Boys’ Championship was held in 1991 and won by NSW. The Shield is named to commemorate Arthur Allsopp, who umpired 18 consecutive Australian Open Championships between 1950 and 1963. In 2011, the Championship transitioned to the U17 Boys’ Championship, to reduce the gap to the U19 Championship from three years to two years. In 2020, with the change of the U19s to U18s, the Arthur Allsopp Shield also changed back to U16s, to maintain a two-year difference between championship age groups. Point of InterestArthur was actively coaching in his early 80s and it is said he coached most of the Victorian players to make an Australian team since the 1960s through his involvement with junior players in the Melbourne and Waverley Softball Associations. TodayThe event exposes Australia’s elite young athletes to highly competitive, national level competition. Read about the history, previous winners and Award recipients.
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