Australia's best female softballers return to the diamonds for their home states in the Softball Australia Grand Prix 3 over the Easter Long weekend at Blacktown Olympic Park.

From April 14 - 17, reigning champions the NSW Institute of Sport Blues will go head to head with the Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Under 19 Squad, Queensland Academy of Sport Heatwave, Victorian Institute of Sport, Western Arrow (Western Australian Institute of Sport) and Chinese Taipei in a competition that overflows with softball talent.

Olympians & Blacktown residents Stacey Porter & Melanie Roche will be looking to assist NSW retain the prestigious Audrey McLaughlin Cup.

NSW Blues Coach Troy Baverstock is looking forward to competing at Blacktown Olympic Park.

"It will be great to play in front of a NSW crowd, and it will be particularly significant from the girls who call Blacktown home."

"All players will be looking to make an impression on the Australian selectors in the lead up to the World Championship added Baverstock.

But the action doesn't end there!

The best of the New South Wales Men will contest the Blacktown Invitational Fastball from April 14 - 16 at Blacktown Olympic Park. ACT Team, Upstarts will face tough competition from Dolphins (Campbelltown), UWS United (Penrith), Demons (Liverpool) and Trident (NSW) to retain their 2005 title.

To culminate a fantastic week of softball at Blacktown Olympic Park, Australia will take on the the International Challenge of Chinese Taipei in the Blacktown International Softball Challenge from April 18 - 20.

For more information, contact Softball NSW on 9677 4000 or visit www.softball.net.au

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