Providing some much-needed respite and softball activity after a week of torrential downpour, Softball NSW on Saturday played host to USA academy teams as well as athletes from the Western Sydney Academy of Sport and South West Sydney Academy of Sport for a Skills Day at Blacktown International Sportspark. 

Originally slated to launch the inaugural NSW International Challenge (NSWIC) featuring three days of softball played by the aforementioned teams as well as teams from Canberra, the tournament had to be cancelled and replaced with a skills day due to adverse weather conditions that preceded the weekend. The Skills Day saw coaches from all three academies team up to deliver a variety of skill stations namely, hitting, infield and outfield.

At the beginning of the day, all 46 athletes were randomly divided into four groups and were allocated to a station spread across three diamonds, which would go for 45 minutes. A hitting station was set up on Diamond 1 and was led by Paul (USA Coach) and Jack Rauhihi (WSAS). This station incorporated, tee hitting, hitting mechanics and bunting. On Diamond 2, two infield stations were set up in the outfield and led by Tim Coach C (USA Coach) and Shane Milligan (SWSAS). Across each station, athletes worked on different skills including-

• Backhand throws
• Field movement
• Throwing mechanics
• Situational plays

And finally, the outfield station was set up on Diamond 3. Led by SWAS' Blake Jackson, the session focused on long throws, cut plays, scoops and crow hops.

The day was wrapped up with a BBQ dinner for athletes and parents, also providing them with an opportunity to interact and share stories about their day.

Softball NSW would like to thank everyone who played their part in hosting the event, including Darren Minns and his team from Southern Horizon International, management teams and coaches of all academies. Softball NSW would also like to acknowledge all the athletes from the USA Academy, WSAS and SWSAS for their spirited participation as well as parents for their attendance and encouragement.

Softball NSW looks forward to hosting more events like this in the coming years.