More than 30 teachers from across Queensland recently discovered why Baseball5 is one of the fastest-growing emerging sports in schools, taking part in a highly successful professional development workshop delivered as part of an ACHPER Queensland Personal Development Day in Brisbane.
Held on Friday, 22 May at the West Rugby Fields in Toowong, the workshop formed part of the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation Queensland Branch’s ( ACHPER QLD ) Emerging Trends in Sport program. The event brought together health and physical education teachers from across the state, with some participants travelling from as far as Rockhampton to experience Baseball5 firsthand.
As Queensland’s leading professional association for health and physical education professionals, ACHPER Queensland plays a vital role in supporting, educating and connecting teachers through professional learning opportunities that enhance student outcomes. Baseball5’s inclusion in the program highlights the growing recognition of the sport as an innovative, accessible and engaging addition to school sport programs.
The session was led by Baseball Queensland Gold Coast Development Officer Stephen Redfern and Baseball5 Coordinator Joe Surrentino, who guided participants through both the theory and practical elements of delivering Baseball5 in school environments.
Teachers were highly engaged throughout the day, exploring the unique features that make Baseball5 such an attractive option for schools. With minimal equipment requirements, simple rules and the ability to be played in almost any space, participants quickly saw why the sport is gaining momentum across Queensland classrooms and sporting programs.
When it was time to put theory into practice, the teachers embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. The hands-on component saw participants stepping onto the field and experiencing the fast-paced, inclusive nature of the game for themselves.
Among those in attendance was Mango Hill State Secondary College teacher Nick Hill, who was impressed by both the simplicity of the sport and its ability to engage students immediately.
“It’s so easy for kids to pick up they can have fun playing it straight away,” Mr Hill said.
Mr Hill also highlighted the strong links between Baseball5 and the Health and Physical Education curriculum, noting how easily the sport can be incorporated into existing teaching programs.
“You can fit it into catching and throwing, you can fit it into striking and fielding,” he said.
For Mr Hill, one of the sport’s greatest strengths is its ability to bring students together regardless of age, ability or experience level.
“You don’t have to worry about age gaps, skill gaps or gender gaps,” he said. “It’s a great thing that anyone can play and be as competitive as you like.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Browns Plains State High School teacher Chris Papadimitriou, who saw immediate opportunities to introduce Baseball5 to students at his school.
“It’s something different, something that we don’t really touch on,” Mr Papadimitriou said. “We don’t even really play much regular baseball but this was just so engaging, even on such a small scale.”
Mr Papadimitriou believes the sport has the potential to connect students across multiple year levels through its simple and inclusive format.
“It would be great to get anyone and everyone at our school involved all the way from Grade 7 to Grade 12,” he said.
Like many teachers attending the workshop, Mr Papadimitriou was particularly impressed by the accessibility of the game.
“The main thing that stood out to me was how inclusive it was and there wasn’t a high skill cap, which is amazing for any kid to be able to play,” he said.
The feedback from both teachers reflects the qualities that continue to drive Baseball5’s growth throughout Queensland. The sport’s adaptability allows it to support curriculum outcomes while creating opportunities for students of all backgrounds and abilities to participate and experience success.
The day concluded with some friendly competition between participants and several giveaways to celebrate the occasion. Mr Hill walked away with an official Baseball5 hat and water bottle, while Mr Papadimitriou was the lucky recipient of an official Baseball5 Teachers Kit.
The Teachers Kit, available through Baseball Queensland for $275, provides educators with everything they need to begin delivering Baseball5 programs at their school. Its affordability and ease of implementation further reinforce the sport’s accessibility for schools of all sizes and locations.
Beyond the prizes and practical learning, the event represented another significant milestone in the continued growth of Baseball5 across Queensland. The strong attendance and enthusiasm demonstrated by teachers reflected the increasing demand for inclusive, engaging and easy-to-deliver sporting opportunities within schools.
Baseball Queensland extends its thanks to Nyree Wood and the team at ACHPER Queensland for their support in delivering one of the largest Baseball5 teacher upskilling and professional development events held in the state to date.
As Baseball5 continues to break new ground across Queensland and Australia, workshops like these are helping build a network of passionate teacher ambassadors who will introduce the sport to thousands of students in the years ahead.