Sports
Spirited softball in tough Kiwi clash
By Barry Rollings

Volume 49, No. 02, February 22, 2007
 
MITT MISSION: ACW Tanya McGregor from No. 13 (City of Darwin) Squadron prepares to take the catch against a NZ Army hitter.
 
 
When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and that was the case for SGT Joshua Page on the recent Australian Defence Softball Association tour (ADSA) of New Zealand.

The ADSA men’s team found it tough going and failed to win a match but SGT Page was named by coach SQNLDR Trevor Murphy as someone who stood out on tour.

A utility player or outfielder, SGT Page, from RAAF Base Amberley, led by example.

“He was the quiet achiever of the tour for us and was one of our most consistent,” SQNLDR Murphy said.

The men played at RNZAF Base Ohakea in a five-team round-robin series, which included the NZ Fire Service for the first time, and was won by the RNZAF.

The men showed great spirit in the poor weather in the Test match against NZDF, but lost 13-0.

SQNLDR Murphy said that the experience gained from the tour would help build a foundation for the future, with the NZ Army team expected here in November.

“We are now in a development phase again, so the tour gave the guys exposure at a higher level and helped them understand what is required to be more competitive at that higher level,” he said.

“The RNZAF has a couple of guys who have represented NZ, so that gives them a bit of an edge.

“They always are strong in pitching and that’s one area where we rely on one or two players and don’t quite have the depth. We need to develop that further.

“Until recently, we competed in the Arafura Games, but unfortunately softball has been withdrawn from those games and is under review leading up to 2009.

“So, the opportunities are now fewer for developing players within Defence. We are relying on individuals to engage in external competitions to improve their skills.”

The women made it through to their grand final only to lose 5-3 to the more fancied NZ Army team.

The story was a little different when it came to the Trans Tasman Trophy match, won by the ADSA 5-4.

“The competition between the two is always competitive and this time was no different,” ADSA’s women’s coach SGT Morris said.

“The game was close throughout and the ADF women had an advantage over their rivals because they had played well together all week.”

The Australian Defence Softball Association’s annual championships will be held in Sydney in November.

Anyone interested in playing softball should contact SGT Virginia Morris at virginia.morris@defence.gov.au