The NSW Over 35 Women's Team defended their title from last year, defeating Queensland in the Grand Final yesterday evening 9-2 in a fantastic display of softball. The Over 35 National Championships were held at Blacktown International Sportspark from 5-9 July 2023. 

Road to the Grand Final 

The NSW Women's Team had a fantastic start to the competition remaining undefeated throughout the pool games, producing quality softball and restricting their opposition's scoring throughout. Day 1 featured wins for NSW against Victoria and ACT in convincing fashion, restricting both teams to minimal scoring. 

Following on from the momentum of an impressive Day 1 NSW continued their winning ways with a dominant display of softball shutting out Queensland with fantastic pitching from Michelle Gorissee pitching a shutout game, whilst Suzanne Fairhurst and Belinda Summerville combined for 7RBIs. In the second game featuring NSW on Day 2, the winning ways continued with another shutout victory, defeating South Australia and sitting on top of the table after the first round of games. More convincing wins on Day 3 for NSW defeating both the ACT and Queensland in all-round team performances. Day 4 for NSW secured the top spot and achieved the perfect round-robin after defeating both South Australia and Victoria. 

Grand Final 

NSW entered the grand final undefeated and looked to maintain those winning ways against a strong Queensland outfit. The Grand Final produced high-quality softball with both teams closely matched in the first two innings before NSW let loose and scored six unanswered runs to build a platform for victory with the final score of 9-2.  

Individual Award Winners

Best Batter - Suzanne Fairhurst 

Most Valuable Player - Rebecca Casaclang 

Player of the Grand Final - Belinda Summerville 

Softball NSW recognises the efforts of our Over 35 Men's Team who came third in the Bob Harrow Memorial Trophy. The boys produced some great results during the round-robin competition to enter the semi-finals top of the table at the end of the round-robin tournament. The boys entered the Semi-Finals full of confidence, however, they faced tough competition in WA and QLD to miss out on the grand final. Softball NSW is proud of your efforts and the boys will come back bigger and better for next year's Over 35 National Championships.