What may have started out in June, being 5-Week programs, turned into 5 sessions across nine- or ten-weeks. But, hey, what can you do?

Over the months of June & July (with one extra day into August), Softball WA ran a Women's State Winter Academy and Winter Clinic Program. With 25 to 30 participants in each group, it was a success in bringing in kids and young women across various developmental stages to work on the fundamentals and beyond.

WOMEN'S STATE WINTER ACADEMY

Ran by SWA High Performance and Operations Manager, Donna Powell and the assistance of Neal Delpero (most recently the Head Coach of the O35 Womens National Champions), Leah Parry (recent O35 Womens National Champion & an ex-Softball Olympian), and Steve Macknack(recent U23 Mens Australian Coach), with weekly guests such as Ashlee Harwood, Lachlan Titherage, Lauren Edwards, and Grace Delpero who came down to help or pitch), it may of been dragged out longe than expected but what a fabulous lead-up into up-coming National State trials? They spent 3-4 weeks of dedicated specific skill work and testing, and 1-2 weeks of specific game play live situations with live, experienced pitching. 

As an invite-only program, focused on previous U16 to Open Women State players (as well as Australian Squad U14s), it brought togther the up-coming and the well-established. There isn't many opportunities for a wealth of knowledge, confidence, and experience to come to one group. Thank you to the coaches who gave up their time, effort, and experience to support these girls towards their sporting careers. 

Winter Clinic Program

Ran by Participation and Development Officer, Ashlee Harwood, alongside assisting coaches Amanda James (Carine Cats Junior Coordinator), Jodi Giacci (recent O35 Womens National Champion), Bobby Wilkie, and Laurie Prior. With the idea in mind to aim for kids U16, whether or not they've played before, this set of 5 sessions was aimed to teach kids the basics and the why (because what's the point of doing something if you don't understand it!).

As with any clinic, the first week was quieter between the large group. By Week 3, it was a mess of laughing, hard-work, and encouraging fun. To see the same lot of kids over several weeks and bring new skills from one week into the next, while coming out of their shells to meet new people (coaches and kids alike) was what we had hoped to achieve - mission accomplished! 

Hopefully, this has helped grow the confidence kids new to the sport, or were just unsure of themselves, and settle into their shoes. I hope everyone got to walk away being able to tell their teammates or parents something they know and wanted to share. 

Sponsoring & Support

The most obvious thank you is to the coaches who came every session, despite the setbacks, to keep pushing everyone harder to be the best version of themselves they can be! And to the parents of players who had to drive these kids to Mirrabooka each week, no matter the distance, it isn't possible without you all.

Now, to our general supporters of the clinic: