Kerrie Porter has been appointed as Head Coach of the NSW Open Women’s team for 2022 & 2023. She shares her insights on coaching as well as playing at this level.

What does it mean to you to be appointed as the Head Coach of the NSW Open Women’s team?

It is a honour and a privilege to be appointed Head Coach of the NSW Open Women’s team. The NSW Firestars have a wonderful history and I look forward to working with the athletes and officials selected to honour the traditions and culture that have been the foundation of previous Firestar teams.

What excited you most about your appointment?

The tremendous opportunity to work with amazing athletes and officials and the challenges associated with the preparation to compete in a National Championships.

What should potential athletes expect upon entering the Open Women’s program?

The NSW Open Women’s program strives for excellence, both on and off the diamond. The program will encourage growth in individuals by being a safe, positive, learning environment that will reward full commitment and accountability, whilst learning to embrace the many challenges along the way. Hopefully it will be an enjoyable experience for all involved!

What advice can you give to aspiring coaches who hope to coach at this level one day?

Be a student of the game – continue to educate yourself on current trends and strategies of softball and coaching by attending workshops, watching softball, talking to umpires, coaches and athletes. Coach as much as you can to expose yourself to many different expe​riences – good and bad, and learn from those experiences. Get yourself a mentor to assist you and provide constructive feedback. Have patience and be resilient!

Softball NSW would like to congratulate Kerrie on her appointment. We know she will continue to do a fantastic job for all athletes and the state.