The curtain has closed on a thrilling national campaign, with the Australian Women’s Baseball Championships and Australian Women’s Youth Championships delivering a powerful showcase of talent, resilience, and the continued growth of women’s baseball across the country.
From emerging youth prospects to seasoned representatives and the ever-competitive Roos program, the tournament highlighted not just results on the scoreboard, but the strength of the pathway and the future of the game.
Queensland Shows Promise at AWC
Queensland’s campaign at the Australian Women’s Championships reflected both the potential and learning curve of a young, developing group.
Team manager Lisa Norrie summed it up candidly.
“I think we did well and we finished where I think we were at with such a young and inexperienced team. There were moments of brilliance and moments of lack of experience through the tournament,” she said.
“I’m super proud of the girls and I look forward to the next few years with such a talented young group, hopefully if I still have the duties and honour of managing this group.”
Despite the ups and downs, Queensland showed flashes of what’s to come — a team building toward sustained success, driven by a core of emerging talent gaining invaluable national experience.
Youth Championships: Building the Future
At the Australian Women’s Youth Championships, the Queensland side demonstrated grit and determination throughout the tournament.
Assistant coach Mila Bender reflected on the campaign with pride.
“Not the result we were chasing, but proud of the girls nonetheless — they’re winners in our eyes,” she said.
“It was a great tournament, we played quality baseball and fought hard.”
While the results may not have fully reflected their efforts, the tournament served its purpose — developing players, building connections, and strengthening the foundation for future Open Women’s success.
The Roos: A Vital Pathway
The inclusion of the The Roos once again proved valuable, bridging the gap between youth and open competition.
Roos manager David Paddison highlighted both performance and purpose.
“The Roos certainly proved their worth, with come-from-behind wins against NSW and tight games against QLD and SA,” he said.
Blending youth and experience — including guidance from former Emeralds Bronwyn Gell and Maddy Patrick — the program continues to prepare players for the next level.
“It’s a valuable pathway… success is measured by those who go on to represent their states and the Emeralds in future years.”
Calling the Shots
Queensland’s presence at the championships extended beyond the teams, with four umpires representing the state across both tournaments.
At the youth level, Cassandra Hall and Liliana Ostara officiated at the Australian Women’s Youth Championships, while Carla Pinder and Alisha Jewry took the field at the Australian Women’s Baseball Championships.
Their appointments highlight the strength of Queensland’s umpiring pathway, with officials stepping onto the national stage and performing under pressure in high-stakes environments.
For Jewry, one moment stood above the rest.
“The national anthem right before the gold medal game,” she said.
“It’s such a surreal moment — the reality of the tournament is basically over, this is the last game. Seeing both teams lining up, standing there with the other two umpires… knowing I was the plate umpire for the gold medal game.”
“It’s a bit of a moment where you feel all the high of the emotions and get a chance to look at how far you’ve come.”
Queensland’s presence at the championships extended beyond the teams, with four umpires representing the state across both tournaments.
At the youth level, Cassandra Hall and Liliana Ostara officiated at the Australian Women’s Youth Championships, while Carla Pinder and Alisha Jewry took the field at the Australian Women’s Baseball Championships.
Their appointments highlight the strength of Queensland’s umpiring pathway, with officials stepping onto the national stage and performing under pressure in high-stakes environments – in an all women’s officials line up.
For Jewry, one moment stood above the rest.
“The national anthem right before the gold medal game,” she said.
“It’s such a surreal moment — the reality of the tournament is basically over, this is the last game. Seeing both teams lining up, standing there with the other two umpires… knowing I was the plate umpire for the gold medal game.”
“It’s a bit of a moment where you feel all the high of the emotions and get a chance to look at how far you’ve come.”
Capturing the Moments
Behind every play, celebration, and hard-fought contest was Erin Honsa of Studio Honsa, who worked tirelessly across both championships to capture the action.
From game-winning hits to emotional team moments, Honsa’s lens ensured that the stories of the tournament were preserved. Covering every game, her work not only showcased the intensity of competition but also highlighted the passion and spirit of women’s baseball at every level.
A Stronger Future Ahead
Across both championships and the Roos program, one theme stood out — growth.
From young Queensland squads gaining experience, to youth players stepping into higher levels, and the Roos bridging the gap between development and elite competition, the tournament reinforced the strength of the national pathway.
And while medals may not have defined this year’s campaign, the achievements, mindset, and love for the game shown across all teams are clear indicators of a bright future for women’s baseball in Australia.