1987 - 88
Annual report to VSA
Annual Report to VSA for season 1987/88
SALE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT
Our season commenced earlier than in previous years with informal practice games for the very keen T-ballers beginning in September. Our formal season got under way in October with 5 senior teams, 4 under 17, 5 under 14 girls, and 5 under 14 boys, along with 9 T-ball teams for children in Grade 4 and below. We were glad to field an under 14 girls competition for the first time for two years.
As can be seen from these figures the bulk of our membership is made up of juniors. Even the open teams rely heavily on juniors to fill their ranks. This situation is becoming a concern to our association as most of the management load is falling heavily on those few seniors we have. These same people carry the brunt of the coaching and umpiring loads- For this coming season we need to carry out a wide recruiting campaign, aimed at bringing back some of the many juniors who have passed through our ranks. We may need to look at playing matches mid-week evenings in an endeavour to attract more players.
Another concern is the lack of young girls playing the game. At least 80% of our T-ball membership consists of boys. We wonder if this is the trend in other associations.
An encouraging aspect was the eagerness of several of our primary players to have a go at umpiring. This interest was enhanced by the clinic conducted recently by Pat Hughes from VSUA. We would like to thank Pat for the enthusiastic and positive manner in which she conducted the clinic. Thanks also to Pat and the two West Gippsland umpires for umpiring our finals.
The experienced Squaws White took out their second premiership in succession defeating All Stars. Squaws players, Andy Ellis and Rosemary Gerrand, tied for Best and Fairest in the open division.
Chaos, after gaining a surprise berth in the finals, following a protest over a team fielding over-age players, took out the Under 17 title, defeating Squaws. The luckless Squaws have now been runner-up for at least the last three seasons. Kate Taylor, from Sadida. once again won the best player award, with Squaws' Penny Beard runner-up.
Staggs topped off a consistent season to win the Under 14 girls from Trendites. Penny Beard(Staggs) took out the best player award from Fiona Mowatt (Trendites).
In the Under 14 boys Staggs downed top team Araluen in an exciting final. Colin Clisso1c (Araluen) was a deserving winner of the best and fairest award, with William Anderson(Staggs) as runner-up.
Sale participated in all State Championships, except Open, and all Gippsland Championships. Although not winning any of these we proved to be quite competitive, and retained our rankings in the Vie Championships. Thanks to all of our coaches, umpires, and officials who helped with the association teams.
Congratulations to Michele Fry, Jill McGrath, Penny Beard, and Katrina Drewry on being named in the State Development squads. Congratulations also to Michele on being named the Most Valuable Player in B grade at the Under 19 Championships.
Sale played a big part in this years Gippsland State League team. The team, with players from West Gippsland, Sale and Bairnsdale put in a fine performÂance, particularly against the big guns of the competition. Congratulations to Sale players, Debbie Blackall ,Jacki Tudor ,Rosemary Gerrand, Jenny McGrath and Robyn McGrath for their selection in this time.
In the last 12 months we have hosted two visits from VSA Coaching Director and Development Officer, Peter Phillips. The response from district primary schools to Peter's 3-day visit last September was very encouraging, with over 400 children attending the various clinics.
Peter again came our way in March this year, running school clinics for about 200 primary children during the day and a successful night for coaches of juniors -attended by 16 people. Well done Peter.
Congratulations to VSA and Geelong for an extremely well-conducted and most beneficial Primary Clinic and Tournament at Geelong. Our two teams that attended thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and learnt a lot.
We also had 8 under 16 players, with 4 coaches attend the Gippsland Clinic at Rawson. Thanks to our Regional Co-ordinator for his continued enthusiasm in making the Rawson Softball Camp happen.
At the end of the season David McGrath was made a Life Member of our association-a reward for his 11 years of administration, coaching, junior development, and umpiring. David joins Alan Whitchurch, Claude Coupe, Bev Beard and Sue Hair on the Life Membership roll.
The City of Sale hosted the inaugural Gippsland Games in March this year. Our association was one of the 35 sporting bodies to conduct special events over the weekend. We ran a successful T-ball Round Robin in the morning, with a six-a-side competition in the afternoon for the softballers. Entries for the six-a-side were disappointing, particularly form within our own ranks.
It is planned for the Gippsland Games to become an annual event with Gippsland sporting bodies planning their calendars around them. This year's games clashed with other associations' softball grand finals.
I conclude this report with a mention of the progress on the new grounds for softball, baseball, and men's and women's hockey. Ideally situated at Stephenson Park, adjoining several other sporting facilities, this multi-use venue, when completed, will finally give us a home of our own. The first soil was turned in May, and it is planned to be in use by June 1989.Unfortunately this wont be soon enough for us to use for the Victorian Under 14 Championships in December. The RAAF Base at East Sale, as in 1983, will be the venue for this year's Under 14.
David McGrath Secretary
Season Summary
Sale Softball Association
Season 1987 / 88
Grounds Mc Millan Park
Committee
President Bev Beard
Vice President Debbie Blackall
Secretary David McGrath
Assistant Secretary Andy Ellis
Treasurer Christine Fry
Assistant Treasurer Joanne Gaudion / Michele Fry
Records Secretary Jean Kemp
Property Officer Frances McGrath
Publicity Officer Leonie Wilson
Umpires Committee Bev Beard, Frances McGrath, Debbie Blackall
Selection Committee David McGrath, Bev Beard, Claude Coupe & coaches
Teams
Open Women
Sadida
Squaws Rebels
Squaws White
Renegades
All Stars
Under 17 Girls
Sadida
Squaws
STAGGS
Chaos
Under 14 Girls
Araluen Stars
STAGGS
Guthridge
Trendites
Bombers
Under 14 Boys
Araluen
Guthridge
St Thomas
STAGGS
T-Ball
Araluen Roulettes
Araluen Spitfires
Araluen Mustangs
Araluen Jets
St Thomas Eagles
St Thomas Hawks
St Thomas Demons
Guthridge Blues
545 Redbacks
STAGGS
Open Men
RAAF
STAGGS
High School
Dodgers
Open Women & Under 17 Girls played Saturday afternoons
T-Ball & Under 14 Girls played Saturday mornings
Under 14 Boys played Wednesday afternoons after school
Finals
Open
Women A Squaws White d All Stars 15-3
Under 17 Girls Chaos d Squaws 10-9
Under 14
Girls STAGGS d Trendites 15-5
Under 14
Boys STAGGS d Araluen 12-6
T-Ball Araluen Mustangs
Best & Fairest
Open Women Andy Ellis / Rosemary Gerrand
Under 17 Girls Kate Taylor / Penny Beard
Under 14 Girls Penny Beard / Fiona Mowat
Under 14 Boys Colin Clissold
T-Ball J Luxford
Regional Championships
U14 Girls Entered played at Bairnsdale
U16 Girls Entered
U19 Girls Entered
Open Entered played at Bairnsdale
State Championships
U12 Primary Girls Played 4 games won 1 at Geelong
U12 Primary Boys Played 4 games won 0 at Geelong
U14 Girls C Grade finished 3rd / 4 at Sunshine
U16 Girls C Grade finished 3rd / 7 at Knox
U19 Girls B Grade finished 3rd / 6 at Waverley
Open Not entered
Championship Best & Fairest
Under 14 Girls Penny Beard
Under 16 Girls Penny Beard
Under 19 Girls Michele Fry
Open Jackie Tudor
Season Highlights
David Mc Grath nominated and awarded life membership after 11 years of administration, coaching, junior development and umpiring involvement. To be presented at the junior grand final / presentation day. David joins Alan Whitchurch, Claude Coupe, Bev Beard and Sue Hair on the life membership roll.
Proposal for Association to become incorporated
Association to host the 1989 Victorian U14 State Championships in December 1989. Games to be played at the East Sale RAAF Base, with possibly twenty teams to attend.
Gippsland Games to be held in Sale. Softball was one of 35 sporting bodies to participate. Teams entered in T-Ball, junior U14 & U17 and senior divisions. Games to be played at Mc Millan Park and STAGGS grounds. Parade held on Saturday evening.
Gippsland Regional Championships to be held at Bairnsdale.
Michele Fry, Jill Mc Grath, Penny Beard & Katrina Drewry named in State Development squads. Michele Fry was also named the Most Valuable Player in B Grade at the U19 State Championships.
Sale played a big part in this years Gippsland State League team, comprising players from West Gippsland, Bairnsdale and Sale Associations. Sale players were Debbie Blackall, Jacki Tudor, Rosemary Gerrand, Jenny & Robyn Mc Grath.
VSA coaching director and development officer Peter Phillips made two visits to the region to hold primary school clinics for approx 600 children.
Stephenson Park / Rotary Reserve new grounds to be shared with baseball and hockey. First stage involves three diamonds. Thanks to George Wilson for his liasoning efforts with council. Officially opened June 1989.
Special award to Colin Clissold for his valuable assistance to the Association.
A men's softball round robin, consisting of four teams, was held on a Sunday in November.
For each T-Ball team a Best & Fairest award and a most improved award. A certificate of participation given to every player. A perpetual trophy for the winning team introduced..