Following the recent announcement entering BQ Women’s Development Team into the 2023 Australian Women Championships (AWC), Baseball Queensland is calling for expressions of interest for this coaching staff. The AWC’s will be held in Melbourne, Victoria 7th – 13th April.
Members and participants:
It isn’t often that we receive a significant groundswell of public opinion from members. This week, we have been flooded by emails and posts about our decision to not send a Development Team to the Women’s National Championships next year.
I write to inform all that we have heard you: we have re-instated the Development Team, effective immediately.
The Board was moved by the outpouring of support for this team, and voted overwhelmingly to rescind our earlier decision.
Yes, while there are many who believe that we do not have the player depth to support a second team at the national level (just 4 Div 1 GBL women’s teams and only 3 Futures League teams), there is the general understanding that there exists a gap after Youth Womens (U16) and promotion to the Open team. We recognise that the decision to remove the Development Team before we have alternatives in place for this age group is premature.
The fact is, of course, that there are no certainties moving forward. With the advent of the WABL and the National Showcase, it may well be that the days of the Open Women’s Nationals are numbered; that before long we will have for the girls exactly what we have for the boys: U16, U18, (U23,) ABL.
For clarity, BQ is – and has always been – committed to the development of women’s baseball. We have – in just the past two years – created a state Showcase event, expanded and enhanced the GBL competition for women, instituted a Women’s Futures League, and invested in both the Barclay Cup and the Youth Women’s national events. We have done more in this past short while than any other state – some might even argue that we have created much more opportunity for women and girls than we do for boys/men.
But we still have a long way to go. We haven’t announced anything yet, but the board has been discussing – much of it for some time – a number of innovations that we are keen to pursue for our fastest-growing cohort.
These include:
• Lobbying Baseball Australia to include education and skills development experiences at the AWC/AYWC
• Working with School Sport Australia to develop an U18 National Championships
• Inaugurating an U21 Women’s Invitational (hosting other states)
• Investigating touring team/s to the US and/or Japan (and hosting)
As you can see, we continue to look for ways to evolve, engage, and enhance playing opportunities and experiences. We want our female players to have the best pathways and playing options possible.
And we’d like you to continue to express your opinion and provide your support. After all, it is your sport.
Thank you to those who took the time to write in – it is appreciated.
Chris Norrie
Commissioner
Congratulations to the players on being selected in the 2022/23 Youth Women’s QLD Squad. The team will be finalised early next year as they prepare for Australian Youth Women Australian Championships 8th – 11th April 2023, Melbourne, Victoria.
There will be a session this Sunday at All Stars Baseball Club, 10am – 12pm. Please wear either your Region or Club uniform to this session. If you are unavailable to make this session, please contact Maureen Lessmann maureenlessmann58@gmail.com
The Open Women QLD Squad will be announced tomorrow.
The Youth Women’s team will provide an extension of the State program pathway to a younger cohort of emerging talent, providing them an opportunity for best on best play. This opportunity has led to the re-evaluation of the objectives of the Women’s Development team and the determination to discontinue the Women’s Development team.
While the Women’s Development team initiative has served its purpose in exposing more athletes to higher level playing experiences; the Showcase event, the off season development programs, Women’s Futures League, the Barclay Cup and now the Australian Youth Women’s Championship combine to provide a more wholistic pathway for women and girls in our sport in Queensland.
Baseball Queensland remains committed to growing the women’s game and will continue to review all our pathway programs to ensure our player development programs remain fit for purpose.
This Friday (25th Nov) at 5:30pm at the Brisbane Bandits home game, Viticoin Stadium for a special Life Membership Presentation to Mr Kevin ‘KC’ Cantwell for his significant service to BQ and to the game of baseball 🌟
Kevin will also be asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Brisbane Bandits vs Canberra Cavalry game ⚾️ Buy Tickets to the game now!
To read more about Kevin’s life membership, visit: https://www.baseballqueensland.com.au/new-life-member/
Introduce baseball into your school by applying for this amazing $320 million Australian Government initiative, delivered by Sport Australia.
They offer grant opportunities for primary schools, and targeted grant opportunities for secondary schools in relation to year 7 and 8 students. Grants support the delivery of sport-based programs to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life.
Baseball Australia introduces students to baseball through two Sporting Schools programs:
A new fast-paced, urban version, of the game requiring no dedicated infrastructure and only requiring a ball.
A modified version of baseball designed to introduce students of all abilities to the game.
Both programs teach the four fundamental skills of baseball – throwing, catching, running and striking – in a safe, fun, non-contact environment. The modified versions of the game ensure students have greater game involvement that builds social, mental and physical development.
For more information and to apply for a Sporting Schools grant, follow the links below:
Application open dates:
Term 1 2023: 8am AEDT Monday 7 November, 2022 – 5pm AEDT Friday 18 November, 2022
Term 2 2023: 8am AEDT Monday 27 February, 2023 – 5pm AEDT Friday 10 March, 2023
Term 3 2023: 8am AEST Monday 22 May, 2023 – 5pm AEST Friday 2 June, 2023
Term 4 2023: 8am AEST Monday 14 August, 2023 – 5pm AEST Friday 25 August, 2023