Games still a thrill

Australian representative softballer Corporal Tracey Mosley gets her first chance to appear for the ADF side at this year’s Arafura Games. Photo by LAC Rodney Welch

By Ben Caddaye

SHE may have played at the highest level possible and appeared on the world’s biggest stage, but Corporal Tracey Mosley was still thrilled at being selected in the Australian Defence Force softball side to contest the Arafura Games in May.

CPL Mosley, one of Australia’s best softballers and a regular in the national squad, has competed in the World Championships and won national awards.

But up until recently the Communications Operator at RAAF Base Edinburgh had never been selected in an ADF side, owing to work commitments and a heavy representative softball schedule.

That changed at last year’s Combined Trans Tasman Softball Series, with CPL Mosley getting the rare opportunity to compete for the South Australian ADF side and display her prodigious talent.

She was duly selected in the national squad to contest the games, which begin on May 17, and she’s champing at the bit at the prospect of donning the ADF uniform for the first time.

“You always get a thrill when chosen to represent, especially when it is for Australia or the organisation you work for,” CPL Mosley said.

A softball talent from a young age, CPL Mosley first represented Australia as a junior at the International Softball Federation Youth World Championships in 1990.

The third base-cum-short stop made her senior debut two years later and has since earned 72 caps at international level.

Domestically, she has represented South Australia for 13 years and in 2002 led the youngest state side in the Australian Championships, defeating eventual grand finalists Victoria and narrowly missing the finals.

She won the batting award at the conclusion of the championships, a feat she regards as the highlight of her career so far.

That, and being selected to wear the green and gold.

CPL Mosley said she owed much of her success in softball to the support she had received from her work colleagues at Joint Electronic Warfare Operations Support Unit (JEWOSU) and in particular her supervisor Neal Cotgrove.

Her sporting hero is US cyclist Lance Armstrong for the way he came back to beat the best and win three Tour de France titles after his fight with cancer.

“His will and determination is unbelievable.”

CPL Mosley and her ADF team mates will need plenty of will and determination during the Arafura Games, which traditionally attracts a high standard of teams from Australia and abroad vying for the softball title.

“I haven’t actually seen who is coming but I can’t see why this year would be any different. It’s all pointing to a great tournament with a high level of softball on display.”

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