November 2025
Baseball Queensland’s Game Development team has experienced significant growth in the past 18 months, supporting an expanded base of participation initiatives across the state. Our latest addition comes with the appointment of Stephen Redfern to the position of Game Development Officer, servicing the Gold Coast.
Beginning with a T-Ball School Clinic at the age of 6, Stephen ended up at St. George and Sutherland Giants Baseball Club, 26 years later, he’s still around, playing, umpiring, coaching, and loving the sport. Stephen was once a casual delivery officer for Baseball Queensland, before a trip to Norway saw him leave the country, he now returns in a part-time capacity, eager to develop, deliver and drive the type of programs that saw him introduced to the sport.
What drew you to Baseball?
It’s a team sport that focuses on individual performance and the combination of strategic rule understanding and ability means there is always room for improvement. There are also multiple opportunities to get a hit, make a catch, make a solid throw, or improve from the last action in a game..
What brought you to BQ?
I’ve always loved being involved in all facets of baseball, whether that’s running the university club (Griffith Uni Gold Coast), attending international umpiring courses, having a hit and giggle with mates or showing off the sport to kids at school, being able to turn what I love into a job and developing the sport in my local area – that’s gold.
What excites you about the role?
Being able to develop, deliver and drive the programs that first got me into baseball is incredibly exciting. To think that my work could create life-long enthusiasts that go on to develop the game wherever they are in the world is fun to think about.
What are your goals early on?
Having lived in Norway for the last 8 years and coming back with fresh eyes, developing school connections and building links between clubs, GCBA and BQ to cohesively grow the sport in the region is very high on the list. Upskilling our existing coaching staff and empowering volunteers and schools with resources that make their life easier will naturally help make the sport more enjoyable and rewarding.
How do you want to grow the game?
The elite athletes of tomorrow are the rookies of today. Developing the early years of baseball with accredited and supported coaches and volunteers that make the game fun and engaging is key for growing elite pathways later on.
Who inspires you?
All the parents out there that listen to their kids, turning up to a sport they may not know themselves and letting their kid have a fair crack at it. Those that level it up and support the team by becoming a scorer, helping in the canteen or lending their time and energy to help their own kid keep playing their sport in an awesome environment, that’s inspiring to see. So thank you to all the parents and family members out there that are getting involved!
Favourite team or player?
My favourite team would have to be San Fran Giants just because my very first baseball team was the Giants.
What do you do for fun?
I am a gamer at core and love RPG and Open World Survivor Craft-type games, so my gaming rig PC does see a bit of game time here and there.
Three words to describe yourself?
Silly, Loud, Helpful
What position do you like playing best and why?
I’ve always enjoyed catching as it’s the most involved and is a bit of a support role for the rest of the team. To help the team remember where the opponents are in the batting order, where the ball was hit last for each batter and in turn helping pull or push players in depending on the batter.
What is your baseball nickname and why?
A lot of players around SEQ may know me better as Madonna – a nickname I’ve had since my first year playing seniors baseball. Young dumb me didn’t understand that the done thing is to have your family name on your jersey, not your first name. So, in true naive fashion, my seniors jersey had Steve on the back. The questions quickly arose “do you not have a last name?” and then Madonna was born.. What’s Madonna’s last name?
Baseball Queensland’s very own Madonna is ready and excited to hear from those on the Gold Coast!
Gold Coast clubs might want to check their emails, but if there’s nothing waiting in your inbox, you can always reach out to Stephen at [email protected]
If Stephen’s not your local, you can view the rest of Baseball Queensland’s growing team here:
