Step off the sidelines for Reconciliation

Step off the sidelines for Reconciliation

In baseball, success comes from everyone playing their part. Every player in the lineup, every coach in the dugout, every volunteer, official and supporter contributes to the strength of the team.

That same mindset sits at the heart of National Reconciliation Week 2026 and this year’s theme: All In.

The theme reminds us that reconciliation is not something we watch from the sidelines. Like baseball, it requires participation, commitment and a willingness to work together toward a common goal.

At Baseball Queensland, we recognise and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we live, work and play. 

We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin, where our office is located, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Baseball has always been more than a game. Across Queensland, our diamonds are places where friendships are built, communities connect and people from all backgrounds come together through a shared love of sport. 

We also recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can face unique barriers to participation in sport, including financial, social, cultural and access challenges.

As an organisation, Baseball Queensland is committed to helping remove those barriers and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to step up to the plate and feel welcome within our sport.

Through the development of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Baseball Queensland is continuing its reconciliation journey by listening, learning and building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities.

Our commitment includes:

  • Building genuine and mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations;

  • Promoting cultural awareness, understanding and respect throughout baseball;

  • Supporting inclusive participation pathways and opportunities;

  • Encouraging diversity across our workforce, leadership and volunteer networks; and

  • Creating safe, welcoming and culturally respectful environments at every level of the game.

Baseball Queensland is proud to support initiatives including NAIDOC celebrations, community sport and education programs, and partnerships with organisations such as the South West Indigenous Network.

Just as every run scored starts with someone taking the first step toward the plate, reconciliation is built through action — through conversations, relationships and a shared commitment to positive change.

This National Reconciliation Week, Baseball Queensland encourages our entire baseball community to be All In — to keep learning, listening and working together to build a stronger, more inclusive future for our game and our communities.

To find out more about Baseball Queensland’s Reconciliation journey, take a look at our Action Plan. https://www.baseballqueensland.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/BQ-RAP-document.pdf

Join the team

Join the team

Baseball Queensland is seeking an enthusiastic and community-minded Events Coordinator & Little League Administrator to join the team and help deliver some of the state’s premier baseball events and competitions.

Based at the Baseball Queensland office at Sportshouse in Milton, this permanent part-time position (20 hours per week) will play an important role in supporting and growing baseball opportunities across Queensland.

The successful applicant will work closely with Baseball Queensland staff, league committees, regional members and local clubs to coordinate engaging tournaments, competitions and events that strengthen participation pathways and promote the sport throughout the state.

The role includes overseeing the organisation and growth of Baseball Queensland’s Little League compliant tournament suite, Women’s, Youth Women’s and Girls tournaments, the annual Masters tournament, and the Hall of Fame & Awards Dinner. The position will also support the delivery of the Baseball Queensland Showcase and assist in developing new participation opportunities for emerging and underserved demographics.

In addition to event delivery, the role will support seasonal competition administration across the state and work collaboratively with committees and stakeholders to improve competition management systems and experiences for participants.

Baseball Queensland is looking for someone who is organised, energetic and passionate about grassroots sport and community engagement. Strong communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team are essential.

Applicants with experience in event management, sports administration or sports development — particularly within baseball or similar sporting environments — are encouraged to apply.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of baseball in Queensland while helping create memorable experiences for players, clubs, volunteers and families across the baseball community.

Position Details

Position: Events Coordinator & Little League Administrator
Location: Milton, Queensland
Employment Type: Permanent Part-Time (20 hours per week)
Remuneration: Sporting Organisations Award 2020 – Clerical and Administrative Staff Grade 3 ($28.12/hour)

Applications

Applications should include a resume and cover letter outlining your experience and passion for delivering and growing baseball events and competitions.

Applications close Friday 5 June 2026. Click below to apply via Seek.

Experienced Leader Joins Queensland Baseball

Experienced Leader Joins Queensland Baseball

Welcome Damian Shanahan

Baseball Queensland is pleased to announce the appointment of Damian Shanahan as the organisation’s new Performance Program Manager, bringing more than 25 years of high-performance baseball leadership and athlete development experience to Queensland baseball.

Damian joins Baseball Queensland with an extensive background across state, national, and international baseball environments, where he has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected pathway and high-performance leaders. His experience spans athlete and coach development, talent identification, program management, sports science integration, and elite team coaching.

Building Stronger Pathways for Queensland Athletes

Most recently, Damian served as High Performance Manager with Baseball Victoria, where he designed and delivered multi-tiered athlete development pathways aligned to national frameworks.

In the role, he oversaw Victorian state team programs across both male and female pathways, coordinated technical and sports science support services, mentored coaches, and helped guide athletes towards collegiate, national, and professional opportunities.

Damian also previously held leadership positions with Victorian Institute of Sport and ACT Academy of Sport, contributing to integrated high-performance systems and long-term athlete and coach development programs.

His appointment strengthens Baseball Queensland’s ongoing commitment to creating sustainable development pathways that support athletes and coaches across metropolitan and regional Queensland.

Extensive National and Professional Baseball Experience

Damian’s impact on Australian baseball extends well beyond state programs. Since 2001, he has served as a National Team Coach for Australian youth and senior teams, while also working as an Assistant Coach with Melbourne Aces from 2010 to 2024.

His professional baseball experience also includes two decades as a scout with San Diego Padres, alongside involvement in MLB Australian Academy programs and coaching roles across Australian and international professional baseball environments.

Damian’s qualifications include a Graduate Diploma of Sports Coaching from The University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Education) from Victoria University.

He also brings extensive experience integrating modern performance technologies including Driveline, Rapsodo, Blast Motion, Pitch AI, and athlete monitoring systems into athlete development environments.

A Vision for Sustainable Development

In his application for the role, Damian highlighted his passion for building sustainable, inclusive, and high-performing pathways aligned with Baseball Queensland’s vision of a club-centric and regionally supported development model.

He also emphasised the importance of evidence-based practice, innovation, and collaboration in creating long-term success for athletes and coaches across the state.

CEO Gareth Jones Welcomes Appointment

Baseball Queensland CEO Gareth Jones said Damian’s appointment represents an exciting step forward for the organisation’s performance and pathway programs.

“Damian brings an outstanding depth of experience across all levels of the game,” Jones said.

“His background in pathway leadership, coach development, talent identification, and elite performance environments will provide enormous value to our athletes, coaches, clubs, and regions across Queensland.

“Importantly, Damian also shares Baseball Queensland’s vision for building sustainable and connected development pathways that support participation and excellence throughout the state.”

Baseball Queensland would also like to sincerely thank Nick Bachono for his leadership and dedication while serving in the Performance Program Manager role in an interim capacity.

Nick’s professionalism and commitment to athlete and pathway development have been greatly valued throughout the transition period, and he will continue to play an important role within the organisation as Pathway Program Coordinator, delivering programs that provide the entry point into Baseball Queensland’s performance pathways.

 

Winter High Performance Programs Underway

As Damian joins the organisation, Baseball Queensland’s winter high performance programs are already underway, with athletes across the state participating in an intensive 20-week development program combining gym and on-field training.

The program focuses on developing strong athletic baselines, improving movement efficiency, and reducing injury risk while preparing athletes for future representative opportunities.

Athletes within the Performance Squad were selected by Baseball Australia, while players within the State Development Squad, Women’s Development Squad, and Elite Squad were nominated through their regions, highlighting the strength of Queensland’s regional pathway network.

Looking Ahead

Damian’s appointment marks an exciting opportunity for Baseball Queensland as the organisation continues to strengthen player development, coach education, and performance opportunities for athletes throughout Queensland.

With extensive experience across elite baseball environments and a strong commitment to long-term athlete development, Damian will play a key role in shaping the future of Queensland baseball pathways for years to come.

A long way from the diamond

A long way from the diamond

For most young baseball players, getting to training might mean a short drive across town. 

For the students of Trebonne State School, the nearest baseball league is almost an hour and a half away.

That’s why a recent five-week Baseball Queensland program meant so much to the tiny rural school community.

Located just west of Ingham, Trebonne is home to just over 100 families and one of the smallest school communities in the region, with only 10 students enrolled across the entire school. 

Opportunities to experience organised sport can be limited in remote communities, especially niche sports like baseball.

The closest baseball competition is played at Jabiru Park in Townsville, making regular participation difficult for many local families.

Through the Australian Government’s Sporting Schools initiative, Baseball Queensland coaches Sarah and Mick brought the game directly to the students, introducing every child at the school to baseball through fun, active sessions designed to build confidence and enjoyment.

For the students, the weekly visits quickly became something special.

Coach Sarah said the children eagerly counted down to each session every week.

“It’s a time that the kids look forward to each week, and they love how we use fun to teach them,” she said.

What made the program stand out wasn’t just the baseball skills being taught, but the opportunity it created for students in a remote community to experience a sport they may otherwise never have the chance to play.

From hitting and throwing to teamwork and laughter, the sessions transformed the school grounds into a baseball diamond and gave students a connection to a sport far beyond their small community.

Sarah said the experience left a lasting impression on the coaches as well.

“It’s a great school with amazing kids and dedicated teachers,” she said.

Programs like Sporting Schools play an important role in ensuring geography is not a barrier to sport, helping communities like Trebonne access new experiences, build confidence, and create opportunities for children to be active, connected, and inspired.

Applications for Term 3 Sporting Schools are now open, and anyone anywhere can apply.

Get your school involved today. https://www.ausport.gov.au/schools

OUR EXTENDED ROSTER: BASEBALL QUEENSLAND’S VOLUNTEERS

OUR EXTENDED ROSTER: BASEBALL QUEENSLAND’S VOLUNTEERS

Behind every first pitch, every perfectly lined diamond, every junior player’s first hit, and every championship celebration is a team of volunteers helping make baseball happen.

This National Volunteer Week, Baseball Queensland proudly recognises the volunteers who are the heartbeat of baseball communities across the state.

From early mornings preparing fields to late nights closing canteens after extra innings, volunteers are involved in every part of the game. 

They coach teams, umpire games, score from the sidelines, organise fixtures, wash uniforms, drive buses, run tournaments, and welcome new families into the baseball community.

The 2026 National Volunteer Week theme, Your Year to Volunteer, celebrates the incredible impact volunteers make while encouraging more Australians to step up and become part of something bigger.

In baseball, volunteering is about more than filling a role — it is about keeping the game alive.

It is the coach throwing batting practice long after training should have finished. It is the grounds crew dragging the diamond before sunrise. It is the scorer concentrating through every pitch and the committee member working behind the scenes so players can simply focus on playing the game they love.

Volunteers help create the moments that define baseball memories — walk-off wins, first home runs, representative debuts, road trips, and lifelong friendships formed in dugouts and clubhouses across Queensland.

Baseball is built on community, and communities are built by people willing to give their time.

Across Queensland, clubs rely on volunteers to keep programs running for players of all ages, from tee-ball and Little League through to high-performance pathways and state teams. Every training session, tournament, and game day is made possible because someone chose to lend a hand.

One of the unique things about baseball is that there is a place for everyone to contribute. You do not need to have played the game before to make an impact. Whether it is helping on the barbecue, learning to score, assisting with social media, coaching juniors, or helping maintain facilities, every role becomes part of the team effort.

National Volunteer Week is also an opportunity to invite the next generation of volunteers into the game. Many of today’s coaches, officials, scorers, and administrators first started by helping out at their local club for a few hours each week.

That small contribution often becomes a lifelong connection to the sport.

To every volunteer across the Baseball Queensland community — thank you for stepping up to the plate. Your time, passion, and dedication continue to strengthen clubs, inspire players, and grow the game across the state.

2026 is Your Year to Volunteer — and baseball has a place for everyone on the team.