2001 / 2002 Season Report to VSA May Assembly

A disturbing current trend in many sporting organisations is the lack of members offering to take on committee positions and being involved in an active role in the running of competitions. Unfortunately our Association is faced with the same predicament.

After a failed attempt to hold an Annual General Meeting in August, even with 350 letters being sent out, a reconvened AGM was scheduled in November. At this stage, with the season already well under way, it was hoped for a better member turnout. Again a disappointing attendance and a lack of member participation, especially at the T-ball / junior level, in taking on committee positions resulted in a lack of a required quorum to form an executive committee for the current season. As mentioned before, with the season already commenced, the previous 'skeleton' executive committee soldered on to keep the Association and the sport going in this area. As incoming president I would like to thank outgoing president Leanne Heywood for her efforts in taking on the role over the past two seasons.

A season highlight was a special presentation made before the AGM to a select group of players who have represented the Association at numerous State Championships over many seasons. This group of girls, after 'graduating' from T-ball, went on to be representative players at Under 13, Under 16 and Under 19 age levels at various Victorian Championships. Due to current work / study commitments they will be leaving the area and of course be no longer part of our Association. A plaque recognising their softball achievements, due to their commitment and dedication to the sport, was presented by former long term committee members Francis and David Mc Grath (an honorary life member of WSA) to Cassandra Booth, Jessica Chomley, Bree Morgan, Anna Renau and Beth Shingles. It should be noted that with our current declining membership levels, a Junior softball competition just surviving and the disbandment of our Open Women's competition a few seasons ago, it is unlikely a group of girls will be given the opportunity to achieve this feat again.

It is unfortunate to report that this season is the first in the Associations twenty two years of affiliation with the Victorian Softball Association that we have not sent a representative team to a State Championship. Hopefully, with the probable introduction of a Grade 5 & 6 T-ball competition next season, in two or three seasons time we should have the foundations to build a representative team(s).

Saturday morning T-ball once again registered a good turnout this season with five Prep, Grade 1 & 2 and four Grade 3 & 4 teams taking to the diamonds. The Grade 3 & 4 competition was a stand out, with a high standard of play and good sportsmanship evident, which was a credit to the coaches of these teams. In a very even and keenly contested competition, with third place team St Mary's Sloggers only missing out on the grand final by percentage, most consistent team 545 Redbacks defeated Grammar 18-11 to be premiers. For many players this will be their last year in this grading, with the overall consensus being that a Grade 5 & 6 T-ball competition next season is the best way of holding them to the sport.

Our junior softball competition was a struggle to keep going this season, with just enough players for only three teams, with players ranging in ages from 10 to 14 years of varying abilities. To the players and coaches credit a reasonable competition was played, but with the wide range of players ages resulting in some one sided games being played. Reigning premiers Sloggers defended their title with a 34-1 win in the grand final over Grammar. Grammar had earlier defeated Mixed Nuts 20-2 to earn the right to play Sloggers in the final.

A big thank you to our junior umpires Simone Goodwin, Phillip Cousin and Gordon Meredith for their efforts throughout the season. Gordon deserves a special mention for a tremendous job as on a number of occasions he not only umpired two T-ball games but also the junior softball as well.

Once the Associations biggest adult competition our Open Mixed Twilight competition played on a Tuesday has been reduced to four teams. It was hoped that some of the slowpitch players may have wanted to move up to the fastpitch game, but it appears they must be having too much fun playing the slowpitch game. After an eighteen game season the two leading teams Black Ducks and M10 Panthers would have played in a keenly contested grand final, except the weather had alternative motives, with all games on grand final night being washed out. With rescheduling an impossibility with Easter holidays approaching, Black Ducks was awarded the premiers perpetual trophy after finishing on top of the ladder.

New team Sporting Legends were awarded the wooden spoon by the narrowest of margins .05% over TNT

Our young at heart masters team Gippy Girls will once again be competing at the Victorian Masters Championships over the June long weekend. This tournament is the build up to the major highlight of representing the district at the World Masters Games to be held in Melbourne in October 2002. The event will host over 20,000 competitors in 29 different sports. We wish them all the best in their endeavours.

Our thanks this season extends to Castles Mitre 10 for their sponsorship in supplying consumables / materials for our clubrooms and grounds, Madden Glass for replacing a broken window from a stray ball and Sporting Legends for catering on two grand final / presentation nights.

Our Tuesday night helpers also deserve a mention. Thank you to Therese, Rosemary and Jim for your efforts providing / serving the after game food & drinks and for cleaning up afterwards.

In finishing I would like to thank our treasurer Del Donoghue for her efforts not only on our Executive Committee but also with our T-ball competitions over the past season.

Ross Game

President.

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