Within a span of just a few hours on the evening of Sunday April 24, the NSW Under 16 Boys and Girls teams gave the home crowd a Championship title each to celebrate at Blacktown International Sportspark. Played from April 21-24, the 2022 Under 16 National Championships had the four states of NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria compete for the Boys' title, while ACT and Western Australia were two additional teams that joined the four states in the Girls' competition. 

Under 16 Boys - Arthur Allsopp Shield

Despite starting off their campaign on a false note with an opening loss to Queensland on Day 1, NSW was quick to bounce back through the course of the day with comprehensive wins against South Australia and Victoria.

While the rain-affected Day 2 saw the home team bow out to South Australia in a 7-4 loss, NSW recorded a win and a defeat in the shortened day that followed. Perhaps the Blue Bloods had saved their best for the final day, with their pitcher Austin Gooden's 12 strike outs and Joel Byrne's two RBIs against Victoria in the Preliminary Final sealing their spot in the Grand Final. The Grand Final was nothing short of incredible for them, with their 10-1 win against neighbours Queensland featuring Austin Gooden's three runs, two hits and three RBIs, as well as Joel Byrne's economical one hit and one run record from the five innings he pitched.  

Austin Gooden also went on to win the Grand Final MVP Award, while his teammates Ethan Milligan and Joel Byrne claimed the Best Batter and Best Pitcher Awards at the Presentation Ceremony of the Championship. 

The recorded live-stream of the Grand Final can be viewed here. 

Under 16 Girls - Esther Deason Shield

The NSW Under 16 Girls shone right through all four days of their campaign, recording a win in all five of their round games. Some of the highlights from their round games included exploits with the bat by Brooke Thomas and Kirra Gilchrist against Western Australia on the rain-shortened Day 2. The Blue Bloods enjoyed some time off the following day due to wet weather-induced draw revisions, followed by a convincing 4-1 win against Queensland the next day to advance to the Grand Final. 

The Grand Final of the Esther Deason Shield saw Queensland start off on an assertive note with a lead in the first three innings. NSW were quick to bounce back soon after, ending the game in the seventh innings with a 11-7 victory. 

Watch the recorded live-stream of the Girls' Grand Final here. 

NSW's Kate Luyten was named the Grand Final MVP for her two runs, three hits and two RBIs that evening. Angelique Iredale's consistent efforts with the bat and Brooke Thomas' defensive pitching saw them bring home the Best Batter and Pitcher Awards respectively. 

While the four days of the 2022 Under 16 National Championships displayed top-quality softball by some of the most exciting young softballers in the country, the event's success also relied on effective and consistent management and delivery during its course - a goal that was successfully achieved by the staff of Softball NSW, Softball Australia as well as a large and reliable group of volunteers. Softball NSW would like to extend its gratitude and acknowledgement towards all of them, as well as all the spectators whose presence and participation made the four days even more memorable.