Baseball Queensland is thrilled to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the Australian Government’s Play Our Way funding, which aims to address participation barriers faced by women and girls in sport. This significant grant will allow Baseball Queensland to drive new initiatives, creating more opportunities for women and girls to get involved in baseball and fostering pathways from grassroots to competition.
As part of the $200 million Play Our Way program, this funding will enable Baseball Queensland to develop inclusive programs and sustainable opportunities for female athletes across Queensland. The funding also opens up an exciting opportunity for Baseball Queensland to hire a full-time staff member dedicated to growing women’s and girls’ participation in the sport over the next three years. This role will focus on expanding engagement from the community level to competitive pathways, ensuring female athletes of all ages feel welcome and supported in the sport.
Growing Female Participation in Queensland
Women’s baseball in Queensland has seen remarkable growth, with the Greater Brisbane League (GBL) expanding from four teams in 2018 to 23 teams across three divisions for the 2024/25 season. North Queensland programs, such as the Townsville Diamonds and Cairns Angels, have nurtured local talent, with almost 25% of the state squad athletes coming from the region. Baseball Queensland continues to provide state development programs for women, such as the Emerging Athlete Program and the Women’s State Development Squad, both of which aim to build talent and engagement from a young age.
How the Play Our Way Funding Will Help
The Play Our Way grant will fund several initiatives specifically designed to support female athletes:
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Childcare Centre Programs: Introducing young children to baseball in a safe and fun environment.
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Girls’ Pre-season T-Ball Carnivals: Organising region-specific carnivals to give young female players their first experience of baseball and creating more opportunities to play.
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After School Sports Programs: Bringing baseball to school settings to engage female youth in a social and structured environment.
- Female-specific Skills Clinics: Providing development clinics to help female athletes build both playing and officiating skills.
- Come and Try Events: Hosting region-specific events to engage females of all ages, connecting them with local baseball clubs and giving them a chance to try the sport.
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Support for Women’s Leagues: Expanding women’s competitions across Queensland, celebrating and fostering female involvement.
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Building Female Pathways: Establishing clear pathways for females from grassroots to competitive play, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment at every stage.
Baseball Queensland’s Commitment to Inclusivity
Sport is a vital part of community building, mental and physical health, and fostering a sense of belonging. Through this funding, Baseball Queensland will continue its mission to ensure women and girls feel welcomed, valued, and supported in baseball. By reducing participation barriers and providing sustainable opportunities, the organisation is committed to creating lasting change in female sports involvement.
“We are honoured to receive the Play Our Way grant, which will be transformative for the future of women’s baseball in Queensland,” said Sam Cawdron, Baseball Queensland’s Game Development Manager. “This funding allows us to further our work in creating inclusive, quality programs that inspire women and girls to be a part of our baseball community for life.”
Apply for the Game Development Officer role via Seek:
Game Development Officer (Women & Girls)
If you have any questions, please contact:
Sam Cawdron, Game Development Manager
gamedevelopment@baseballqld.asn.au