Seven teams from across the state competed last weekend at the 2023 Over 45 Women's State Championship, featuring hot and trying conditions for our most experienced softballers as the backdrop for action-packed softball across the weekend. Held at Blacktown International Sportspark the Over 45 Women's State Championship was an outstanding competition with high-quality softball, fun across the diamonds and fantastic camaraderie on display from all the teams. 

The championship featured the following teams. 

Cumberland Nepean 

Macarthur 

Manly Warringah 

Newcastle 

North Shore 

Penrith City 

Southern Districts 

Grand Final 

Leading into the Over 45 Women's Grand Final between Newcastle and Manly Warringah, both teams were aiming to build upon their fantastic momentum from the opening day of the championship, after producing exciting and high-quality softball on Day 1 to be sitting first and third in the standings heading into semi-final action the next day. The following morning featuring another day of hot weather both Newcastle and Manly Warringah secured their places in the Grand Final with victories over Penrith City and Southern Districts respectively in tight and competitive semi-finals.

The Grand Final was a repeat from the 2022 Grand Final of the Over 45 Women's State Championship with Newcastle seeking to make amends from their agonising defeat against Manly Warringah last year. This year's Grand Final was a competitive game of softball with early momentum swings and excellent batting and fielding displays from both teams with Manly Warringah edging Newcastle 4-1 at the end of the second innings. The third innings got underway and this is where Manly Warringah made their move on the path to championship glory, producing attacking softball with the bat in hand and defensive fielding, extending their lead to 7-2 heading into the final innings. Newcastle never gave up and stayed in the fight with some fantastic base hitting to get another run on the board, and aggressive fielding to limit the momentum Manly Warringah had produced earlier in the match. In the end, Newcastle succumbed to the firepower of Manly Warringah who found an extra gear and pulled away from Newcastle to take the honours 11-3 and defend their Over 45 Women's State Championship title. 

Watch the full highlights of the Grand Final here: 2023 Over 45 Women's State Championship - Grand Final - Newcastle vs. Manly Warringah - YouTube

Grand Final Umpires 

Plate: Rebekah Edwards 

First Base: Natalie Pettitt

Third Base: Liam Cameron 

Final Placings 

Champions: Manly Warringah 

Runners Up:  Newcastle & District 

= 3rd Place - Penrith City & Southern Districts 

5th Place - North Shore District 

6th Place - Cumberland Nepean 

7th Place - Softball Macarthur 

Players Player Awards 

Cumberland Nepean - Tracy Middleton 

Macarthur - Kelly Jones & Jodi Palmai 

Manly Warringah - Chloe Humphrey & Lynda Robertson 

Newcastle - Carolyn Wedesweiler 

North Shore - Georgina Tannous 

Penrith City - Joanne Buchanan & Liesje Tromp 

Southern Districts - Jessica Bedwell & Kathleen Picone 

Softball NSW would like to thank Blacktown City Council and all of the volunteers, athletes, team management and attendees who made the 2023 Over 45 Women's State Championship a great success. 

For any further information relating to the event, please contact Softball NSW Events & Facilities Coordinator Aimee Sutton at events@softballnsw.org.au or Softball NSW Media Marketing and Content Officer Angus Hewitt at media@softballnsw.org.au.