From the 5th to 12 July, both the Over 35 Women and Over 35 Men made their way to Blacktown, NSW, for the 2026 O35 National Championships. Both teams have a fantastic tournament but ultimately, it was the O35 Women who took home the gold for the first time!

Head Coach Neal Delpero, Assistant Coach Holley Onley, Manager Donna Powell, and Statistician Sharon Perkins, led these women into victory. When asked about his team's lead-up to the championship, as well as throughout the week, this was Neal's words on the journey...

"It was a true team win, led by some absolute stars of the game.

It started with trials of over 40 athletes who we had to meticulously test and assess over three trials, a big thank you to John Talbot and Laurie Prior for being on the selection committee. We short listed down to 19 and then had a live game scenario to trim the list down to the final 16. 

We had a 3 month campaign of training and playing in the winter league which really helped us iron out a few kinks, try various combinations, but also gel as a team and solidify our pre-game warm-up. We did have some injuries during those games that threatened some of our key players, but through diligent training and load management, we managed to work through those, and the first big plus was the complete 16 players and management team all travelled.

We started off with a close (4-2) win Vs Tasmania, Lisa Stidworthy pitching a good game, Jenna Martindale starring with a run scored and an RBI and the team building in confidence. We then got a reality check versus ACT, in a very cold night game, we lost 5-3 and were back in a game by game, very tight tournament, chasing wins and the best version of our team. We got a great win versus SA, 4-3, As Amber Johnson made her comeback for WA, and saw a huge, go ahead Home-Run to Michelle Smith to secure the win.

We got through the first round in 2^nd spot, and we felt we were hitting well as a team, just not generating runs from the hits we were getting. We were struggling to score more that 3 runs consistently, yet having 10+ quality At-Bats per game. 

So we made some wholesale changes to the lineup, which saw us start to score 5+ runs more consistently, and the players accepted those changes like professionals and the momentum started. Our pitching roster would have been the envy of the other states, 5 pitchers all different angles and movement, all contributing in their own way to our success. The electricity in the dug out was starting to build to new levels as the team really began to understand play for each other.

WA made the semi-finals in second spot, confirming a showdown with top seeded Big V on Saturday night on diamond 1, and the class of the WA team was on display. Chermai Clews threw a shut out and was led behind the plate by Nikkie Molander who called a beautiful game, which could be called a work of art, using changes of pace, spots and our infield to grind out a 4-0 win. Great hits by Kristen Brown to start the scoring, and a solid bunt by Matine Humble, to advance KB, then Amanda Wareham hit her in with a clutch, 2 out single to score our first run versus the pitcher of the tournament. Heading into the 5^th with a one run lead, and the crowd behind us, Lisa Stidworthy scored Michelle smith for the first of her two RBI’s for the night, and then the icing on the cake was a smart running bunt by Sarah Johns and a steal to third, creating an error and scoring the fourth run. With Mai dominating in the circle, and with great team defence by Pillar Adams, Jodi Giacci and Leah Parry, we held on for a clinical 4-0 win, and a direct berth in the Grand Final.

The big win on Saturday night, afforded a sleep-in Sunday, followed by hours of massage, pool therapy, icing, stretching etc to get the team firing for the grand final. The leadership group planned for either Victoria or SA, and ultimately it was SA who won a tight 1-0 game in the preliminary final. 

So obviously, Chermai Clews got the nod as starting pitcher for the Grand Final. But almost as important, we went in with an unchanged lineup.

The Grand final started with a flurry of runs, the highlight for us being hits to Leah Parry, Michelle Smith, Nikkie Molander and Lisa Stidworthy, we found ourselves at 3-all in the third, and on the receiving end of a brilliant double play by Belinda White.

But at that crucial moment, Lisa and KB stood up again, grinding singles, and Matine Humble hit a go-ahead double to really give us some breathing room as Chermai started to gain control on the plate. There was a moment of Déjà vu, to see the No 6, with Humble on her back, trotting up to second base as we took the lead. Some insurance in the fourth as Nikkie Molander scored her third RBI, driving in Pink, and then going to work as catcher to secure the next 9 outs to win the game 6-3.

The team efforts of Megan Buswell, Sheralee Ovens and Amber Reynolds, who played pivotal team roles for the entire tournament, need to be commended. The team was also very well led by an inspiring leadership group, and also by several senior experienced players who kept everything on track and humourous. Without these efforts, which can’t be understated, this National Championship win would never have been achieved.

This team also had a great management group, led by our manager Donna Powell, who handled every curve ball thrown at her like a Major League hitter. Sharon Perkins worked tirelessly to get statistics done every evening and had no computer glitches this year. First time state assistant coach, Holley Only was also very good working with the battery group to make sure they were fully charged.

In the end, it was an absolute Dream team, a marriage made in heaven and the perfect recipe for a proud softball state, GO WEST!"

Another huge congratulations to both of our O35 teams for having an amazing tournament - everyone rest up, stay healthy, and enjoy another successful nationals for Softball WA.