1980 - 81
Annual report to VSA
SALE WOMEN'S SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION - ANNUAL REPORT 1980-81
This season was a very busy and successful one, and although not completely trouble free, it was a very satisfying season considering the hassles and in-fighting which had left our Association in a mess from the previous season. The incoming Executive quickly went about their task of getting the Association back on an even keel through friendly co-operation by, and with, participating teams.
A total of 20 teams took part in three grades of competition, which consisted of 8 senior teams, 6 under 15 teams, and 6 primary teams. There was a decrease in senior players due to the withdrawal of two teams, but the number of junior players has increased.
The strong Squaws team from the previous year spread their talent to help make three more-evenly matched teams, thus ensuring more even, competition. The eight senior sides competed against each other throughout the season, but split into two grades for the finals. Most senior sides took advantage of our new ruling which allowed juniors to play in more than one grade on the same day, by playing juniors in their team. This was of great benefit to these girls, greatly improving their standard of play and knowledge of the game.
Premierships were won by: Open A : API-Lil'Abners
Open B : Squaws Red
Under 15: Squaws Red
Primary : Bears.
Much of our activity for the season revolved around our hosting of the Gippsland Regional Championships. The Open and Under 14 were held in November and Under 17 and Primary in February. Teams from Berwick, West Gippsland, South Gippsland, Latrobe, Bairnsdale, and Sale competed. These Championships are proving to be a very useful training and selection ground for teams entering in Victorian Championships. We were most grateful to St. Annes and Gippsland Grammar School for the use of their excellent facilities. We could not have coped with such a program on our meager Council grounds.
VICTORIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
We were given the opportunity of entering an Under 14 team in the Vic. Championships due to the late withdrawal of another Association. At short notice a team was put together, and together with support from our Association, parents, and Gippsland Building Society we were able to participate. This keen bunch of girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and acquitted themselves well in our first venture in junior State Championships. Unfortunately the keenness of these girls could not be matched by the Seniors, and after desperate efforts to field a side and fulfill our commitments to the Open Championships, we regrettably had to withdraw.
Umpiring:
We continue to have problems supplying umpires of adequate standard for our own competition, and especially for Championships. We have been blooding some juniors by allowing them to plate umpire under supervision of experienced umpires. This has worked well. Congratulations to Bev Beard and Frances McGrath on passing their umpire's theory exam.
Other happenings of note included the awarding of a Life Membership to a founder of our Association, Mr. Alan Whitchurch; and also the revising and rewriting of our Constitution. Our future plans include representations to Sale City Council for improved ground facilities, drawing up of revised By-Laws, and the continued encouragement and development of our juniors. As is apparent in most Associations, the heavy load of running a competition falls on the shoulders of a few. Thank you to those dedicated few who committed their Saturdays to umpiring, ground marking, coaching, playing, and administration.Season Summary
Sale Women's Softball Association
Season 1980 / 81
Grounds Mc Millan Park
Committee
President Mike Fahy
Vice President Bev Beard
Secretary David Mc Grath
Assistant Secretary Liz Foreman
Treasurer Judy Joiner
Assistant Treasurer Rosemary Ham
Records Secretary Shirley Collins
Property Officer Trevor Hair
Publicity Officer Helen Fahy
Umpires Committee Bev Beard, M Willinham, Helen Fahy
Social Committee Helen Birthisel, Bev Leijen, Robyn Smih, Olive Collins
Teams Total of 20 (8 senior, 6 under15, 6 primary)
Final Ladders
Open Women
Squaws White 44
API Little Abners 42
Magpies 38
Squaws Green 32
Squaws Red 24
Mixtures 20
Redsox 8
Blue Eagles 4
Secondary U15
Squaws White 38
Squaws Red 32
Sale High 32
Squaws Green 30
Blackbirds 24
Thunderbirds 4
Primary
Bears 44
St Marys 36
St Thomas 30
Araluen Green 28
Araluen White 22
Araluen Gold 8
Finals Open
Open Women A API / Lil' Abners
Open Women B Squaws Red
Under 15 Squaws Red
Primary Bears
Regional Championships
Sale Softball Association host, played at St Annes & Gippsland Grammar School (STAGGS) grounds.
Teams from Sale, Bairnsdale, Latrobe Valley, West Gippsland, South Gippsland and Berwick.
Primary
U14 Girls
U17 Girls
Open Women
State Championships
U14 Girls C grade, finished 3rd / 6 teams at Shepparton, Won 2 / 5 games
U17 Girls Not entered
Open Women Withdrawn
Season Highlights
Alan Whitchurch founding member of Sale Women's Softball Association awarded life membership after the A grade grand final.
Hosting of Gippsland Regional Championships, used the St Annes & Gippsland Grammar School grounds. Teams from Sale, Bairnsdale, Latrobe Valley, South Gippsland, West Gippsland & Berwick competed.
Victorian State Championships - First junior team entered played in U14 C grade, finished third from 6 teams, won 2 games.
Constitution revised.
Bev Beard & Frances McGrath passed their umpires theory exam.