Big Swings & Big Smiles: BQ School Program Hits a Home Run
December 2025
Baseball Queensland’s 6-week School Baseball Program has wrapped up for the term – and if the smiles, high-fives and dusty knees were anything to go by, it was a home run.
Run in partnership with three Brisbane primary schools – St Peter Chanel, Mater Dei and St Ambrose – the program brought baseball and t-ball to life for around 50 students. Led by six Baseball Queensland Development Officers and championed by the ever-supportive PE teacher, Clare Fyans, the program turned school ovals into mini ballparks filled with laughter, teamwork and plenty of big swings.
Over six weeks, students were introduced to the fundamental skills of baseball and t-ball: throwing, catching, hitting, base-running and fielding. Sessions were designed to be fun, supportive and inclusive – a space where students could stay active, pick up new skills and build confidence along the way. Drills were mixed with games and challenges, giving every student a chance to shine, regardless of experience.
“It was really impressive to see how quickly the students picked things up, their skill level by the end of the six weeks was a real credit to their hard work and the great coaching from our Development Officers.”
– Dane Steinke, Baseball Queensland Game Development Officer (Women & Girls)
The grand finale of the program was a T-ball carnival day hosted at Holloway Field in Newmarket – the home of the Windsor Royals and Brisbane Bandits, and one of Australia’s premier baseball venues. Thanks to the support and cooperation of both clubs, students were given the chance to step onto a real diamond and experience the game on a bigger stage.
Representatives from Windsor Royals and the Brisbane Bandits were on hand to chat with students, run skill stations and help out across the morning. There were prizes, giveaways and plenty of encouragement from coaches, teachers and club staff. Students were split into their school teams and rotated through a series of fast-paced, fun and competitive T-ball games across two fields.
Despite the warm weather, the energy never dropped. Cheers rang out from the dugouts and sidelines as classmates encouraged each other, celebrated big hits and scrambled after fly balls. Decked out in official Baseball Queensland uniforms, the students looked and felt the part, giving the carnival a real “big league” atmosphere.
For Coach Tara, one of the Baseball Queensland Development Officers involved in the delivery, the experience was a highlight of the term.
“The best part of the carnival was seeing the kids light up after every play – whether they hit a home run or just made it to first base, they were all smiles. It felt like one big celebration of having fun and giving it a go.”
At the end of the carnival, Baseball Queensland staff handed out special awards to students who best demonstrated team spirit, sportsmanship and positivity. While there were plenty of great plays on the field, the focus of the day – and the program as a whole – was on effort, encouragement and enjoying being active together.
The feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive. Donna Jones, Principal of Mater Dei in Ashgrove West, shared her appreciation following the event passing on her sincere gratitude to the baseball coaches for sharing their expertise and teaching the students the skills of the game, describing it as “an exceptional experience for them all.”
Clare Fyans also thanked Baseball Queensland for organising the T-ball competition at Holloway Field, noting that the event was “a huge success” and that it was clear the students had “a fantastic time participating.”
For Baseball Queensland, the program has reinforced the value of bringing quality, skills-based sports programs directly to schools in a way that’s fun, age-appropriate and inclusive. Students not only gained an introduction to baseball and t-ball, but also had the chance to develop important life skills like teamwork, resilience, communication and confidence – all while making new friends and discovering a new sport.
Baseball Queensland is excited to continue building on the success of this 6-week School Baseball Program and is already looking ahead to future collaborations with schools across Brisbane and beyond.
Any primary schools interested in adding a fresh, engaging and enriching option to their sports program are encouraged to reach out to Baseball Queensland to explore how a tailored baseball or t-ball program could work for their students.
Big swings and big smiles – that’s what the Baseball Queensland School Baseball Program is all about!
