Australia's rising Softball stars will hit into Blacktown Olympic Park in January for the Softball Australia National Under 16 Championships. From January 10 to 16, the boys and girls competitions will come together with many youngsters marking the beginning of their representative careers in the sport.

The New South Wales girls will be looking to claim back to back championships and will take on Queensland, ACT, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria in the Esther Deason Shield.

Reigning Boys premiers Victoria will face fierce competition from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and ACT for the Arthur Allsopp Shield.

The New South Wales Women's team comprises the best softball talent in the state with Captain Taylah Tsitsikronis, Emma Bridge, Alexandra Casey, Jordyn Christensen, Sian Colee, Karla Davidson, Rachel Lack, Mikaela Mahony, Nicola Maitland, Julia McCann, Jessica Meyer, Tahli Moore, Danielle Murace Jasmine Peters with local girls Alice Donohoe (Old Toongabbie) & Jaqueline Imber (Lalor Park) looking to win consecutive championships in front of their home crowd.

The Open Men's team led by Captain Jason Cronan with Jaedyn Beattie, Jordan Brown, Matthew Death, Nathan Dickinson, Kayne Kajan, Michael Kerr, Taylor Martin-Woodhouse, Chris McClure, Kieran O'Leary, Adam Ormerod, Dane Patterson, Stuart Perry, Mason Rossi, Samuel Spooner & Jacob Stek hoping to improve on their 2009 campaign which saw them finish in third place.

Games commence at 9.30am daily with the Grand Finals on Saturday January 16 at 12.00pm for the Boys competition & 2pm for the Girls.

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

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Media Contact :
Ros Pullen - Media & Marketing Officer - Blacktown Olympic Park - 9839 6595
Karla Wyatt - Promotions Assistant - Blacktown Olympic Park - 9839 6593