Annual Report to VSA

Annual report to VSA for season 1985/86

SALE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION -ANNUAL REPORT

The highlight of our 85-86 season was certainly the introduction of the T-ball competition. This proved to particularly popular, especially with the boys. In our -first season of T-ball we attracted 10 teams and judging by the interest being shown in local schools this number is expected to swell considerably in the coming season. We had a disappointing response to entries in the primary girls competition so the teams we did get were directed into the T-ball, with some girls joining the junior boys to make up mixed softball teams for the mid-week competition.

Our senior entries were up a little on previous seasons, although a couple

of teams were struggling to fill their teams after the Christmas

break. Renegades, a team from Traralgon, brought a breath of fresh air into

the Association.

They set a fine example to our regulars with the diligent way the carried

out all required duties and attended all meetings and functions. lt is hoped

that some of our local teams have learnt from this.

Another innovation this season was the regular radio segment on SGI. We thank the radio station for their encouragement and support of this segment which was aimed to not only give softball news on the Sale scene but to promote the happenings of softball in the Gippsland area. All Gippsland associations were encouraged to provide input, but this was slow coming. We hope that next season all associations in our area will take a more active part in this program.

Our executive is planning a joint meeting with basebal1, men's hockey and women's hockey to put forward a joint proposal to our local council for consideration for more suitable playing fields, as none of these bodies has a place they can call their own.

Our representative teams took part at all available levels in Gippsland Regional and State Championships, with little success. The under 17 team performed creditably in the State titles, pushing the top teams to the limit, but apparently lacking match toughness at this level. All the teams were decked out in new uniforms.

Grand Final matches in most grades were thrillers. In the Open division, the

young Squaws Rebels team took full advantage of a couple of fielding

weaknesses to finally break away from their older clubmates, Squaws

White. Only 2 premiership points had separated the top four teams at the end

of the season.

Sadida went through the season undefeated to win the Under 16 title from

Squaws,and 545 Redbacks won the junior final in a thriller against the

favorites, Staggs.

Best and Fairest winners were:

Open-Judy Scholz (Renegades)

Underl6:Joint winners-Susan Whitaker(Sadida), Jackie Donovan(Sadida), Jaclyn Harrap(Staggs)

Primary:Campbel1 Wilson<545)

Best in Championships: Open: Robyn McGrath

Under 17: Jackie Donovan

Under 14: Jill McGrath

Primary Girls: Penny Beard, Katrina Drewry

Primary Boys : Campbell Wilson (545)

Season Summary

Sale Softball Association

Season    1985 / 86

Grounds   Mc Millan Park

Committee

President                       Cushla DeMuth

Vice President               W Mc Kay

Secretary                       David McGrath

Assistant Secretary       J McGrath

Treasurer                       Cristine Fry

Assistant Treasurer       Linda Joyner

Records Secretary        Leonie Wilson

Property Officer            Frances McGrath

Publicity Officer             Sue Turnbull

Umpires Committee      Bev Beard, Frances McGrath, S Collins, Nicole DeMuth

Social Committee          S Collins, J Mc Grath, M Wilson, C Benson

Selection Committee    David McGrath, Leonie Wilson, Bev Beard

Teams

Open Women

Sadida

Squaws Rebels

Squaws White

Renegades

All Stars

Homecraft Bears

Kangas

Wamows

Under 16 Girls

Sadida

Sion Sweathogs

STAGGS

Chaos

Squaws

T-Ball / Primary

Araluen White

Araluen Green

Araluen Gold

St Thomas

Guthridge

545 Whites

545 Swans

STAGGS 1

STAGGS 2

M & M's

Saints

Finals

Open Women                      Squaws Rebels d Squaws White 21 - 14

Under 16 Girls                     Sadida d College Squaws 22 - 6

Primary                               545 d STAGGS

Best & Fairest

Open Women                      Judy Scholz Renegades

Under 16 Girls                     Susan Whitaker Sadida

                                             Jackie Donovan Sadida

                                             Jaclyn Harrap STAGGS

Primary                               Campbell Wilson 545

T-Ball                                   Scott RussellAraluen White

                                            Colin Clissold Araluen Green

                                            Kathy Fry Araluen Gold

                                            Katrina Drewry Guthridge

                                            Damian Bell M & M's

                                            Amber Camin Saints

                                            Mark Alexander STAGGS 1

                                            Kane Kipniak STAGGS 2

                                            545 Red Ben Rossin

                                            545 Swans Lepa Ristivojevik

Regional Championships

Primary Girls                    Played at Leongatha

Primary Boys                   Played at Leongatha

U14 Girls                            Finished 5th / 5 at Leongatha, lost all games.

U17 Girls                           Played at Leongatha

Open                                 Finished 4th / 5 at Leongatha, won one game.

Regional Best & Fairest

Primary Girls                   Penny Beard / Katrina Drewry

Primary Boys                  Campbell Wilson

U14 Girls                          Jill McGrath

U17 Girls                          Jackie Donovan

Open                                Robyn McGrath

State Championships

U14 Girls                         D Grade at Ballarat

U17 Girls                          B Grade finished 7th / 7 at Bendigo

Open                                C Grade finished 8th / 8 at Melbourne

Season Highlights

Introduction of T-ball/Primary competition with 10 teams

Under 16 girls competition played late Wednesday afternoon

Runners up to West Gippsland in the Bessie Frood Tournament for Open Women.

Weekly Gippsland Times and 3GI Saturday morning reports by David McGrath.

Junior players took part in the Sale On Parade march in the CBD.