Baseball Queensland recently delivered a comprehensive Athlete and Coach Development opportunity in Townsville, providing targeted training and resources for athletes and coaches across all levels. This initiative aimed to strengthen the skills and knowledge of participants, fostering growth in the North Queensland region.
This initiative was funded through the Queensland Government’s Active Industry Project Fund (AIPF) Super Round, which supports projects that enhance participation and address pathway inequalities for athletes. Baseball Queensland’s project focuses on decentralised talent identification and athlete development, ensuring the sport thrives in multiple locations across the state.
Athlete and Coach Development – Townsville Highlights
Led by Nick Bachono and Lisa Norrie, Head Coach of the Queensland Women’s Team, the initiative delivered specialised sessions for both athletes and coaches. The focus was on skill development, game-specific drills, and providing coaches with resources to enhance their local programs.
Participants and Coaches
- Athletes: 18 athletes from Cairns and Townsville participated across two days.
- Coaches: Three coaches attended on day one, with four on day two.
Presentations & Practical Demonstrations
Lisa Norrie shared her expertise on overall athlete development and baserunning, while Nick Bachono led offensive programming sessions using a constraints-led approach. These concepts were brought to life through live drills and scenario-based training.
Tailored Clinics for Regional Development
The clinics addressed the needs of North Queensland’s athletes and coaches, including:
The clinics addressed the needs of North Queensland’s athletes and coaches, including:
- Athlete Development: Strength and conditioning, situational awareness, and decision-making.
- Training Tools: Introduction to Driveline equipment, including Plyoballs, to modernise training methods.
Coaching Resources for Continued Growth
Coaches received a toolkit with session planning materials, Driveline equipment, and training tools to foster ongoing development in their programs.
Coaches received a toolkit with session planning materials, Driveline equipment, and training tools to foster ongoing development in their programs.
Baseball Queensland extends its thanks to Lisa Norrie, Nick Bachono, and all participants for their involvement. This trip highlights the importance of regional development initiatives, made possible through the support of the Queensland Government’s AIPF Super Round.
Meanwhile, despite the heat, Queensland Women’s training is in full swing in North Queensland, adding to the momentum and growth of baseball across the region.
