Celebrate 60 years of National Softball Championships this January at Blacktown Olympic Park when the Australian Men & Women's Fastpitch Softball Championships come together for the first time in softball history.

From January 7 - 13, the best of softball's men and women will take to the diamond to represent their home states, all vying for the title of 2007 Australian Open Champions.

Reigning Open Women's Premiers Queensland will go head to head with New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, ACT and a combined Northern Territory/Tasmanian team to claim the Gilley's Shield.

The ACT will too face some fierce competition in the Open Men's Championship from Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland to retain the John Reid Shield.

Boasting both Olympians and World Championship players, both the New South Wales Men's and Women's teams are confident that they will perform well in front of what will be a vocal home crowd.

The New South Wales Women's team comprises the best softball talent in the state with Nicole Bacon, Kyria Cox, Fiona Crawford, Tatiana Holodnow, Danica Howlett, Zara Me, Simone Morrow, Ashlee Pobjie, Belinda Summerville, Kym Turnell, Natalie Ward, Lauren Williams, Felicity Witt, Belinda Wright, Kerry Wyborn and Rachel Zucchetti.

The Open Men's team led by Captain Joel Southam also includes younger brother Travis Southam, Shaun Beckley, Justin Brown, James Darby, Demtrius Doney, David Newsome, Adam Reindfleish, Aaron Ristau, Peter Shearer, Jamie Sheehan, Andrew Thurtell, Ryan Van Coevorden, Scott Watson, Matthew White, Sean Williams.

Games commence at 10 am daily with the Open Men's & Open Women's Grand Finals on Saturday January 13 at 4pm and 7pm respectively.

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to see some of the world's best softballer's in action at Blacktown Olympic Park this January.

For tickets, please contact Softball NSW on 9677 4000 or www.softball.net.au

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Media Contact :
Rosalyn Nicholas - Media and Marketing Officer - Blacktown Olympic Park - 9839 6595