After a long gap of two years, the 2022 National Championships returned to New South Wales, with the 2022 Under 18 National Championships hosted by Softball NSW between April 14 and 17. Hosted at Blacktown International Sportspark under perfect weather conditions, the event was attended by large numbers from within and beyond the state across all four days. NSW, Victoria, Queensland, ACT and Western Australia competed in the Men's event, while the Women's event featured South Australia in addition to the same set of states. 

The event also included a corporate event attended by the Deputy Mayor of Blacktown Brad Bunting, Sport NSW CEO Ross Bidencope, NSW Olympic Council President Helen Brownlee and Managing Director of RBI Australia Matt Redman.

New South Wales and Queensland faced off in the Grand Final of the Men's Championship, with Queensland dominating the men in blue with a 6-0 win to successfully defend their title. The Women's event was also dominated by Queensland across all four days, with New South Wales also recording an impressive run and finishing up in the third position at the end. 

The Men's Championship

The NSW Men's team displayed complete domination across the first three days of the Championship, remaining unbeaten until their first game on Sunday against Queensland. 

The Blue Bloods offered plenty for the home crowd to cheer for, featuring impressive exploits with the bat by Cameron Taylor, Lachlan Hort, Ky Hurst, Jackson Newcombe and Makye Telfer, with Cameron's walk off home run in their Preliminary Final against Victoria sealing their spot in the Grand Final. Emotions were running high among both the teams and crowds, especially during the home team's clashes with Victoria, with the boys in blue edging past their neighbours on all three occasions. 

The Grand Final, however, proved to be one-sided, with Queensland racing towards their fifth straight Nox Baily Shield, courtesy of an incredible performance by their pitcher Corie List as well as the Grand Final MVP Haydan Dobe's three-run home run in the 3rd inning. 

The Grand Final can be watched here. 

The Women's Championship

Going into the tournament as title defenders, the NSW Women were off to an impressive start, losing only to Queensland twice in their round games. Erin Partridge, Abbie Morris, Sienna Burgess and Amelia Cousins displayed a lot of promise with the bat, while Kiera Trim and Lauren Taylor recorded impressive performances towards the end as well.

NSW's Preliminary Final against South Australia proved to be a tightly contested game, with the 9-8 result swinging the visitors' way eventually.

While the four days of the 2022 Under 18 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 attendees whose presence and participation made the four days even more memorable.