2025 AWC & AYWC Wrap-up
2025 Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships Wrap-Up
The 2025 Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships. Determination. Talent. Ties and Tie-breakers.
A NO MORE Spirit of the Game Award was also awarded to an umpire and scorer, Congratulations to Queenslander Anahera Russell (Umpire) for receiving the award!
Youth Bring Home BRONZE
A new era for Queensland Youth after several of last year’s team graduated into the Open Women’s age bracket.
A slow start saw Queensland fall to New South Wales, however, it was uphill from there. An incredible comeback against Victoria, holding off a dominant Western Australian side and falling to the reigning champions, South Australia, to force a tie-breaker. Youth secured a Top-3 finish having allowed the least runs of the three tied teams, ending pool play in an incredible second place.
Dominant showings from Western Australia and South Australia ended our medal run. Queensland continue the streak, a Youth Bronze makes it three medals in a row!
Q&A WITH KAYLA SPARKS
How old are you?
I’m 15 years old.
Was this your first time competing at the Australian Youth Women’s Championships?
Yes
What position(s) did you play during the tournament?
I pitched and played outfield.
How did it feel representing Queensland in the Youth Women’s team at such a big event?
It was such an honour to be able to play for my state. I was super proud to wear the Queensland colours and do what I love at a high level.
What were you most excited about leading up to the Championships?
I was mainly just excited to play some baseball with my teammates. I couldn’t wait to get on the field and compete.
What was it like being part of the Queensland Youth Women’s team with your teammates?
It was so much fun! Everyone was super supportive and we clicked pretty quickly.
How do you think the Queensland Youth Women’s team performed overall during the tournament?
I think we did well. We played hard and gave it our all, even when games didn’t go our way. I’m proud of how we continued to build each game.
How would you describe the team spirit and support throughout the Championships?
It was honestly amazing. We were constantly cheering each other on. The enthusiasm and team spirit from the dugout was always high and all the girls were there to back each other up.
What’s your favourite fun moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball-related)?
Probably after our win against WA on the 3rd day. We went into it knowing WA would be a tough competition. From the first pitch, everyone was switched on, we backed each other up the whole game and the energy in the dugout and on the field was amazing. I think that win brought us even closer together as a team and we were all so pumped. Just having that awesome feeling of knowing we earned the win as a team is something I won’t forget.
What was your proudest moment, either individually or as part of the team, during the Championships?
I think my proudest moment was being the starting pitcher for the WA game. It felt really good to contribute and know I helped the team.
How is playing in a national tournament different from competing in the Queensland State Titles?
It’s definitely more intense. The teams are stronger and the whole atmosphere is way more competitive, but that’s what I loved about it and what made the tournament so much fun.
How do you feel about your performance in your position during the tournament?
I think I did my job. I contributed to the team and learned a lot too. There are definitely things I want to improve, but I’m happy overall.
Did you set any personal goals for the tournament, and do you think you achieved them?
Yeah, I wanted to stay confident and focus on my hitting. I think I did a decent job with that, and I definitely grew as a player.
How did you feel when you received the Spirit Award?
I felt really happy and kind of shocked. I didn’t expect it, but it meant a lot to be noticed for just being myself.
From your AYWC experience, what do you think you could work on as an individual or as part of the team?
Personally, I want to further work on my hitting and knowledge on the game. As a team, maybe just staying switched on every game, especially when it gets tough.
What was the biggest challenge you faced playing in such a competitive environment, and how did you overcome it?
Honestly, just the pressure. Baseball is so much more mentally challenging than I thought, and it can get to your head sometimes. But just taking my time, trusting my training and thinking back to why I play baseball in the first place is what helped me.
What’s one thing you learned during the Championships that will help you improve in your position?
I learned how important communication is. Just the small things like yelling out the play before each pitch and encouraging my teammates. It makes a big difference.
What would you say to other players about the experience of playing for Queensland at the Australian Youth Women’s Championships?
It was such a cool experience. I learnt heaps and played great baseball with/against people who have the same passion and love for the game, which made it really special.
How has competing at the Australian Youth Women’s Championships shaped your future goals for baseball?
It’s definitely made me want to keep pushing to get better and become the best player I can be. I’d love to continue playing at this level and maybe even play for Australia one day.
Q&A WITH LILLIAN FOGG
1. Getting to Know You
I am 16 years old. No, I played in the 2024 AYWC for Queensland. I played half a game in left field, a couple innings at third, pitched for a few innings but mainly played first base. It felt really exciting knowing that I was representing my state with some of my closest friends. The feeling of knowing that I could show baseball Australia what I can do felt amazing especially on the big stage at a national championship. I was most excited for the games and staying with my good friends.
2. Team Dynamics
It was super fun; all the girls were really close already from past tournaments and rep teams which made it even better because we were all so comfortable with each other from the beginning. It also helped with the energy and enthusiasm in the dugout and on the field. I think we performed pretty well for having such a young team this year, there were some games where we didn’t make smart choices on the field, but we always lifted each other up and there were other games that we all collaborated so well and dominated on the field, so I’d say we performed well. Team spirit was through the roof, everyone was so enthusiastic and always had amazing attitudes, we were also really good at picking up our teammates after striking out or making an error for example, and not letting it ruin the whole game for us. Our friendships definitely helped keep the support high and I’m very proud of all of us for supporting each other so well and never dropping our heads. My favourite fun moment would be after our nightly meetings with the coaches, my roommates and I always played games of snap and uno which very often got out of hand and ended up us getting pretty loud and nonstop laughing, along with the daily morning music my roommate and I played while we got ready each morning to hype ourselves up for the games, definitely the best highlights of my experience.
3. Personal Performance
My proudest moment individually would be the picks that I did at first base, I used to be very hesitant with picks and could never seem to get them but after training to get better I made some really good clutch plays that my team needed, also my pitching went super well, pitching 27 pitches in 3 innings with no runs scored in a game we needed to win. As part of the team my proudest moments would be being a good support person for my teammates while also being very loud and enthusiastic at all times with my team making sure they were having fun as well. Competing at a national tournament is very different from competing at a state tournament as you’d feel a lot more pressure and more nerves will come at a national tournament; the rules will be stricter for your team as well but they’re not so strict that it ruins the experience. I feel I performed pretty well at first base making a few clutch plays and talking up my team the entire team, constantly communicating with them where to make the play if the ball comes to
them and reminding my centre and right fields that I was their cuts. My personal goal was to get a hit every at bat, a little bit of a hard goal but I managed quite well I thought. I made contact every at bat even though I may have gotten caught out a couple times I still made great contact every at bat which I’m happy about, also only striking out once out of all my at bats.
4. Challenges and Growth
I think as an individual I could work on finding gaps in my batting, I tend to hit directly to players often and getting out of that habit would be beneficial. As a part of the team, I feel I could possibly lead warmups more. The biggest challenge I faced was probably the pressure I felt as the oldest in the team I felt that I needed to be a leader for the girls, and I didn’t want to mess up. I overcame this by constantly having a positive attitude for them and making everything fun for them which impacted back on me as I saw them being positively affected by it which made me feel better about what I was doing. One thing I learned to help me in my position would be that I always need to be ready for a bad throw, getting into a more athletic stance to get ready in case a ball is thrown over my head or if a ball is thrown to the ground and I need to pick it.
5. Reflections and Future Goals
I would say to others that the experience is absolutely amazing, bonding with your teammates and players from other states is such a wonderful experience and so lovely meeting everyone. The Queensland baseball community is really amazing with the women’s program it’s a great experience. Competing at this level has definitely shaped future goals for baseball, I really want to grow and expand my knowledge and skills on the first base position I’m very passionate about it.
#4 QUEENSLAND MAROON
Queensland Maroon had what can only be described as their strongest showing in recent years. Bats were on fire, improvements in the field and an evolving pitching rotation saw Maroon unable to challenge only New South Wales.
Maroon outscored their opponents 55-40 in pool play. Featuring an incredible game against defending champions, Victoria, which ended 12-12.
Their run ended with a loss to Victoria in Final 1 and Western Australia in the elimination final, securing a strong 4th place.
Q&A WITH RUBY ORCHARD
- Getting to Know You
How old are you?
19
Was this your first time competing at the Australian Women’s Championships?
My first year competing at AWC was in 2023, I took a break in 2024, so this would be my second year playing in this championship.
What position(s) did you play during the tournament?
Short stop (And lead off hitter I guess)
How did it feel representing Queensland at such a big national event?
Wearing the maroon and knowing I was part of something bigger than myself filled me with pride every time I stepped onto the field. It came with pressure, of course, but more than anything, it gave me a sense of purpose, drive, and belonging. Being surrounded by such a supportive and talented group made the experience even more unforgettable.
What were you most excited about leading up to the Championships?
I was excited to be able to showcase my hard work against quality competition, and carry the hard work, passion and pride of everyone who has supported me onto the field with me.
- Team Dynamics
What was it like being part of the Queensland team with your teammates?
Playing at a National Tournament is always going to be daunting, but it is made that much more manageable when you’ve got teammates you know you can rely on and face challenges with. As they say baseball is a game of failure, and I’m not sure there’s anyone else I’d rather go through those moments with then the girls on this team.
How do you think the Queensland team performed overall during the tournament?
I think we all surprised ourselves in the end with the quality of baseball we were capable of. For example the Victoria and Western Australia games were hard ones to forget. Everyone on the team played their role to perfection, the atmosphere in the dug-out was electric, truly one of those moments you look back on that fuel the hunger for next year.
How would you describe the team spirit and support throughout the Championships?
I am so grateful for the support I received throughout the championship. The team spirit made the highs feel even higher, and softened the lows. There were certainly low moments for me, but my teammates always seemed to make me smile and laugh, even when it was the last thing I wanted to do. Knowing I had a foundation of support and love to fall back on gave me the confidence to play without fear.
What’s your favourite fun moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball-related)?
We had a few game-nights as a team which even the coaching staff joined in on. Those small, silly, unplanned moments – you realise that that’s the whole point.
- Personal Performance
What was your proudest moment, either individually or as part of the team, during the Championships?
My proudest moment was hitting my first double of the tournament. The whole team had a double celebration planned, and although it took a few games to finally get it, my teammates all being able to celebrate the moment with me made it that much more special. Also receiving the spirit of the game award!
How is playing in a national tournament different from competing in the Queensland State Titles?
Both are a great privilege, although the atmosphere at Nationals feels bigger in every way, and you can truly feel the shift as soon as you step onto the field. The anticipation, the nerves, excitement, and pride, all unmatched.
How do you feel about your performance in your position during the tournament?
I was extremely nervous playing short stop, I felt as though I had massive shoes to fill. But having one of the best infielders in Shirori next to me at third every game definitely made a huge difference. I remember asking her once how it seems she never makes an error, she responded with “Oh I do, I just am not scared of making mistakes”. Which gave me a lot of confidence. I was definitely far from flawless, but it’s easy for these errors to make me forget the many good plays and moments of success.
- Challenges and Growth
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on as an individual or as part of the team?
We had a few games where we started off incredibly well, putting 3-5 runs on in the first innings, although this was often followed by a few scoreless innings which allowed the momentum to shift. As a team, we reflected on how important it is to stay consistent and keep that early energy going throughout the entire game. If we can do that, we’ll give ourselves the best chance to stay competitive in every game and become a very hard team to beat.
What was the biggest challenge you faced playing in such a competitive environment, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced was managing my nerves and not letting one mistake affect the rest of my performance. In such a competitive environment, every play feels important, and it’s easy to let an error shake your confidence. I had an amazing team around me that helped me bounce back and feel as though I wasn’t going through it alone.
- Reflections and Future Goals
What would you say to other players about the experience of playing for Queensland at the Australian Women’s Championships?
Playing for Queensland is so much more than just playing baseball. It’s the warm feeling of pride every time you put on the jersey, the unforgettable highs, the tough lows, and the moments that shape you as both a player and a person. But what truly makes it worthwhile is everything off the field, the laughs, the bonding, the friendships, and the memories you carry with you long after the final game.
How has competing at the Australian Women’s Championships shaped your future goals for baseball?
Competing at the AWC opened my eyes to the level of talent and dedication it takes to play at the top. Playing against some of the best in the country made me realise how much I want to be one of them; a standout player. It’s motivated me to work harder, and keep pushing myself, because now I’ve seen what’s possible, and I want to be part of that.
Q&A WITH KYA FOXWELL
How old are you?
21
Was this your first time competing at the Australian Women’s Championships?
No this was my 9th nationals.
What position(s) did you play during the tournament?
I played second base.
How did it feel representing Queensland at such a big national event?
It always feels like a massive honour and privilege to be able to represent my state in a maroon jersey.
What were you most excited about leading up to the Championships?
I was most excited to play along side my team as it was such a young team and the energy that they were bringing was amazing!
2. Team Dynamics
What was it like being part of the Queensland team with your teammates?
It was such a good experience to be able to play along side such amazing players with such great potential!
How do you think the Queensland team performed overall during the tournament?
I think with being a young team we did such an amazing job going into every game with great energy and always supporting one another.
How would you describe the team spirit and support throughout the Championships?
The team this year was unmatched, we always came together and supported one another and never letting a teammate drop their heads throughout the tournament.
What’s your favourite fun moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball-related)?
One of the best parts for me would have to be our red ball game we played before every game as it brought the team together before every game.
3. Personal Performance
What was your proudest moment, either individually or as part of the team, during the Championships?
One of the proudest moments was when Charlotte Stokes who was the youngest on the team dove for the VERY first time in a game and being young and doing that for the first time at a high level is awesome! Another proud moment would have to be when Molly Paddison continually played her hardest especially diving for the ball anytime it was a must get ball and even if it fumbled out of the glove she did not stop hustling until that ball was in the infield!
How is playing in a national tournament different from competing in the Queensland State Titles?
I find it different because instead of playing against each other we play along side one another which makes us start getting closer as a women’s baseball community in Queensland, also playing against other states i feel brings more challenges as every state plays the game with different level of intensity and passion as well as everyone plays the game differently.
How do you feel about your performance in your position during the tournament?
I feel as if i did a decent job in some aspects but I still definitely have a lot of work to do to get to my goals.
Did you set any personal goals for the tournament, and do you think you achieved them?
The goals I set for myself within this tournament was to have fun, and be a good teammate as well as not letting the small things affect me. I believe I did a pretty good job with not letting things get to me and I hope my team thought I was a good teammate throughout the tournament.
4. Challenges and Growth
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on as an individual or as part of the team?
I will be continuing to better my skills within my fielding and batting.
What was the biggest challenge you faced playing in such a competitive environment, and how did you overcome it?
I’d say one of my challenges was adjusting to pop flys just over my shoulder and second base and trying to go for them but either losing it in the sun or continuously moving my head and losing the ball. The way I overcame this was going and speaking with my head coach (Lisa Norrie) and asking what I was doing wrong because at the time I didn’t get it but after realising that mistake I adjusted and got the next pop fly over at second base.
What’s one thing you learned during the Championships that will help you improve in your position?
My above answer is going to help within my position as a second baseman.
5. Reflections and Future Goals
What would you say to other players about the experience of playing for Queensland at the Australian Women’s Championships?
It is one of the best experiences you could possibly do within Women’s baseball in Australia! You don’t just play against other states and players who have amazing talent, you also make new friends from other states and people you wouldn’t have met without doing this tournament! Another part is also observing how each state and player play the game because most of the time it can be completely different to how you either play or approach the game.
How has competing at the Australian Women’s Championships shaped your future goals for baseball?
Competing in the Australian Women’s Championships for a few years has shaped and made me work a lot harder to try and achieve my goals of someday wearing an Australian jersey and not just representing my state but my country.
#6 Queensland White
Queensland White embodied the progress of an emerging Queensland development program. Collect Queensland White’s best moments in a highlight reel and you’ll see nothing but quality hits, plays and pitches.
The fundamental skills are there. The game winning polish? In progress.
Queensland White took a win over South Australia, coming within inches of a 5th place finishing position. Their unwavering passion and determination showcased the bright future of women’s baseball in Queensland.
QLD Development 2022 – 27 runs scored
QLD White 2023 – 32 runs scored
QLD White 2024 – 33 runs scored
QLD White 2025 – 48 runs scored
Q&A WITH NGAIRE ROSS
How old are you?
What was it like being part of the Queensland team with your teammates?
What was your proudest moment, either individually or as part of the team, during the Championships?
What was the biggest challenge you faced playing in such a competitive environment, and how did you overcome it?
What would you say to other players about the experience of playing for Queensland at the Australian Women’s Championships?
Q&A WITH LILY MOFFAT
I am 23 years old.
Was this your first time competing at the Australian Women’s Championships?
No, I competed with the White team in 2023 and debuted in AWC in the 2019 tournament.
What position(s) did you play during the tournament?
I played mostly at 1B but also pitched a few innings.
How did it feel representing Queensland at such a big national event?
It is quite surreal playing against the top female baseball athletes in Australia. It filled me with pride wearing the Queensland gear. Obviously there is some nerves there but was mostly just keen to get out there and show what we have got and been working towards.
What were you most excited about leading up to the Championships?
I was excited to play against the best in the business with my teammates/friends. Its also a lot of fun to wake up for a week straight for it to be a game day.
2. Team Dynamics
What was it like being part of the Queensland team with your teammates?
It is always a great honour from being presented our caps and wearing the jersey/uniform out onto the field. We have so much fun staying together for the week, traveling to the games together in the team vans, listening to great pump-up music pregame (shoutout Ngaire), and having our pool recovery sessions together. Its just so amazing immersing in the experience for the week.
How would you describe the team spirit and support throughout the Championships?
We were always team first. We wanted to be the best we could for the team including being the best bench player that we could be. The bench is an important part of the team, they keep the spirits and emotions high, pick up the players, and always have to be ready to go onto the field. Our bench was amazing the whole tournament. They always congratulated the team and individual wins of the players; they were cheering as loud as they could and stayed on top of team jobs.
What’s your favourite fun moment from the whole experience (it doesn’t have to be baseball-related)?
The reunion of the AWC Lily’s/Lilly’s/Lili’s. We like to call the AWC the Lily convention.
3. Personal Performance
What was your proudest moment, either individually or as part of the team, during the Championships?
As a team my proudest moment was getting a win against SA. We were so close the previous game so to comeback and win against them the following time was a great feeling.
My proudest individual moment was hitting my first AWC triple (although the slide into third wasn’t something to be desired).
How is playing in a national tournament different from competing in the Queensland State Titles?
The hits are certainly harder to find, the bases near impossible to steal (if you have my speed), the ball is coming a lot quicker (my biggest respect goes to the third baseman) but the eagerness to compete at the level is next to none.
Did you set any personal goals for the tournament, and do you think you achieved them?
I had a goal this tournament to try to break my PO (pitcher only) stereotype and prove myself as a hitter and first baseman. My last AWC in 2023 I unfortunately went hitless. I worked hard on my hitting over preseason and into the 2024-25 season. I tweaked on my swing a lot and owe a lot to the Baseball Queensland coaching staff and club/region coaches. This AWC I had 8 hits along with 10 RBI’s. I still have a lot of room for improvement and excited for next season to continue the grind to becoming a hitter.
4. Challenges and Growth
From your AWC experience, what do you think you could work on as an individual or as part of the team?
I would love to work on my speed so I can get my first AWC stolen base. Unfortunately, my speed is not there at the moment to sneak a base. I will also keep working on my presence as a 1st baseman.
What was the biggest challenge you faced playing in such a competitive environment, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was to push through the fatigue day to day, and to stay mentally and physically ready. To overcome this, recovery each day was important. I needed to actively participate in our pool recovery, do hot/cold showers, roll out the sore muscles and make sure I get adequate sleep each night. Taking time for myself to do something that calms me (for me reading a book or watching a show) each evening helped to calm my mind. Having a good routine and knowing what the next day brings also helped me stay mentally ready .
What’s one thing you learned during the Championships that will help you improve in your position?
To always communicate with my teammates before each play. It just takes one lapse in concentration before a pitch being thrown for a ball to be hit and then not know: Where’s the play? Who’s the cut? Where should I back up? Am I trailing the runner? If we are always communicating to one another before each pitch, then we should always be able to answer these questions.
5. Reflections and Future Goals
What would you say to other players about the experience of playing for Queensland at the Australian Women’s Championships?
It is an honour playing for a Queensland team. It is also so much fun to be a part of the tournament, playing at the Melbourne Ballpark and competing against the top athletes of the sport.
How has competing at the Australian Women’s Championships shaped your future goals for baseball?
I would just love to keep playing against the best out there.
Chasing a childhood dream - Ashley Ruzicka mixing it with her heroes.
Story by Connie Rowe
Coming through the Queensland Youth program, Ashley Ruzicka has long admired the Queensland Women’s Nationals players, using them as inspiration to shape her own game.
After several years as a regular in the youth competition, Ruzicka answered the call this year to step up to the big league.
Pulling on the white and maroon jersey wasn’t just about representing her state — it meant playing alongside some of her idols.
Shiori Hoshino, a key figure in the maroon side, has been watching Ruzicka’s progress closely.
“Ashley has really impressed this tournament,” Hoshino said.
Knowing Ruzicka’s dream to play at the top level, Hoshino offered some advice: “Know your strengths and weaknesses. Work on the weaknesses, but enhance and draw on your strengths.”
One strength already on display is Ruzicka’s speed. She reads and tracks the ball well, making her a real asset in the field — all while remaining humble and team-focused.
Ruzicka, who started baseball at six years old, discovered her love for the sport in a unique way. With a netballer mum, a sprinter dad, and a soccer-playing brother, baseball was a left-field choice. A Christmas of Wii baseball and a backyard sports pack sparked her passion.
From local T-ball at Carina Redsox to competitive youth baseball, Ruzicka’s drive has never wavered.
“I absolutely love it. I just want to come out here and show what I can do,” she said.
Meeting and playing against her idol, Hoshino, was the perfect way to cap off her first Opens tournament.
Congratulations to all the teams for an unforgettable week of baseball!
Officials Exports – Umpires
Our players weren’t the only ones around the grounds representing Queensland.
Queensland contributed some talented umpires to this years Championships! Five of the Twelve Umpires selected for the event emerged from Queensland’s pathways.
- Alisha Jewry
- Anahera Russell
- Carla Pinder
- Irma Cortez
- Liliana Ostara
It could be you! Get in touch with the Queensland Baseball Umpires Association to find out where you can start!
Officials Exports – Media
Not only umpires, but Connie Rowe made the trip down (self funded!) to contribute to Baseball Australia’s coverage of the event. She wrote some incredible features, including stories on North Queensland Athlete preparation, Lila Hall, Emma Reid and Ash Ruzicka!
Live from the best seat in the house – a scorer’s view of the AWC | Feature by Connie Rowe
