AWC White Wrap-Up

The Australian Women’s Championships recently concluded, featuring notable performances from players, Brittney Finlayson, Taliyah Paolo and Storm Law. These athletes demonstrated skill and determination throughout the tournament, leaving a lasting impression on spectators. Exploring their personal stories and journeys provides insight into the dedication and passion that drove their success on the diamond.

Q&A WITH TALIYAH PAOLO

What position/s did you play during AWC? 
 
I played shortstop and second base.
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
I made multiple plays throughout the tournament and hit really well after coming back from a long recovery period due to injury. As a team, not everyone knew each other and we met for the first time while playing in the tournament, so I’m proud of how we spent time getting to know each other and that there was improvement in each game we played.
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
 In State Titles we are representing our region, whereas at Nationals, we’re proudly representing our entire State. There is alot more pressure, but that just makes the game better. You are facing the best players from across the Country and the quality of the game is higher, pushing me to play harder. 
 
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
I need to learn not to doubt myself as much and to be more confident. I also need to stop putting so much pressure on myself. As a team, we worked really well with the bats and offence, however I think we can work on our defence and make less errors.

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
My favourite fun moment throughout the experience was when we had our meals together. We all spoke to different team members at each meal, exchanged stories and shared laughs. We were a big group of friends hanging out.

Q&A WITH brittney finlayson

What position/s did you play during AWC? 
Catcher and DH
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
Being catcher when my pitcher team mates got their first nationals strike outs and the times when the team got on a hitting streak to win the innings.
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
Living and breathing baseball for 8 days! I loved that about nationals! 
 
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on, as an individual or as a team?
I have come home feeling very motivated after playing amongst the best in the country and I’ll spend the next 12 months with my Townsville team mates getting stronger. I think it took us a few days to get warmed up this year. Hopefully next year we can start the tournament with the momentum we started to see towards the end.
 

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
Georgie’s cooking and the team dinners!

Q&A WITH STORM LAW
What position/s did you play during AWC? 
I was a pitcher and 3rd base
 
Your proudest moment individually or as a team?
Proudest moment of was getting my first national strike out and how it made me feel. 
 
How is playing in a national tournament, different from playing in the Qld state titles?
The national competition was bigger on a different level and more competitive. It felt like a better competition as it was more on my level of skill.
 

Favourite FUN moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball related).
Making new friends and relationships with people who I knew but never had a chance to get to know personally.