NQ Wrap-up and Introducing Dane Steinke

Last month, Baseball Queensland’s team flew up from Brisbane to Townsville, then made the drive north to Cairns, bringing baseball to over 3,000 students across 21 schools in North Queensland. The team – Sam Cawdron (Game Development Manager), Joe Surrentino (Baseball5 Coordinator), Dane Steinke (Game Development Officer for Women & Girls), Nick Wyllie (Club Support Coordinator), and Development Officers Tara Sands and Hazel Napier delivered exciting and engaging sessions that introduced the game to new audiences and strengthened ties within the baseball community. Luke Ardill, BQ’s Development Officer for Townsville, led the first week of visits, while Mila Bender, BQ’s Development Officer for Cairns, joined the team for the second week.

In Townsville, the team visited 11 schools, engaging over 1,500 students during the first week. Despite weather disruptions and schedule changes, the BQ staff successfully used Baseball5 as a flexible solution for wet-weather days, receiving positive feedback from clubs, parents, and participants.

In Cairns, the second week saw Mila working closely with local schools, including MacKillop, Mossman, and Parramatta, where over 1,500 students participated. Students showed great enthusiasm for baseball, especially in after-school programs. Wet weather impacted some sessions, but the 1-hour format proved highly effective for keeping students engaged and excited about the sport. These visits were essential in laying the groundwork for junior baseball growth, particularly in regional areas like Mossman.

 

Both Cairns and Townsville hosted successful Info Nights during the two-week visit. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity for Baseball Queensland staff to connect directly with club members, volunteers, and the wider community. Attendees were introduced to upcoming programs such as Buddy League and the Baseball5 Summer League, while also receiving practical insights into how to implement and support these initiatives locally. The Info Nights served as important platforms for upskilling volunteers, sharing development strategies, and building stronger relationships between BQ and regional baseball communities. The warm reception and strong engagement in both regions reflect the growing enthusiasm for baseball across North Queensland.

Our visits helped spread the spirit of the baseball community, sparking excitement for the sport and laying a foundation for future growth. With Luke overseeing Townsville and Mila looking after Cairns, we’re confident that baseball will continue to expand in the region. Their dedicated work, along with the support from local clubs, will create even more opportunities for players across North Queensland. This growing momentum is sure to unite not only North Queensland but also the broader Queensland baseball community, making it stronger and more connected than ever before.

What makes this initiative even more exciting is the teamwork behind it. The Baseball Queensland team works closely together to make baseball a more inclusive sport, especially for women and girls. Dane, who joined as BQ’s Game Development Officer for Women & Girls through the Play Our Way funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, works alongside Hazel, Tara, and Mila, all of whom bring invaluable depth and insight to the team through their experience playing baseball at the club level, with some having represented Queensland teams. Dane’s efforts have already made a significant impact, as he gathered important feedback from players, coaches, and clubs about the unique challenges women and girls face in the sport. 

With this dedicated approach and the strong teamwork at BQ, we’re confident that we have a bright future ahead. By working together, we’re creating opportunities that will allow more women and girls to thrive in the sport, ensuring baseball continues to grow and be more inclusive for everyone. Dane’s focus is on grassroots participation, including childcares, after-school programs, T-ball, and junior baseball, helping to lay a solid foundation for future growth and inclusivity in the sport.

Meet Dane 

– story by Connie Rowe

It’s been just over a month in the job, and Women & Girls Game Development Officer Dane Steinke has hit the ground running. From delivering school clinics and buddy league open days in North Queensland, Dane’s passion lies in fostering a pathway for junior participation from the ground up. 
 
As a former basketballer who chased his dreams to college ball, he reflects on aspiring to reach the levels of success of athletes before him and understands how important it is to have inclusive pathway programs that support the journey of junior athletes.
 
It was during his time living in America that Dane first discovered an interest in baseball, working as a student assistant with his college team. It was also where he developed a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the women’s sporting landscape. From working with professional women’s teams in the WNBA to coaching junior athletes in schools and clubs he’s witnessed the positive impact that championing female athletes has on inspiring the next generation of players. 
 
During his recent involvement with Baseball Queensland’s clinics across Townsville and Cairns, Dane noted how rewarding it was to see the girl’s excitement at meeting and playing alongside some of the states up and coming representatives.
 
Now in his new role, he’s ready to listen and learn from those in the sport and bring a fresh perspective to the growth of the women’s game – from the ground up.