Australia aiming for more WBSC U-15 Women's Softball World Cup success and a potential Olympic dream

When the WBSC U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup Placement Round starts on Wednesday, Australia will not only be looking to continue their impressive form from the Opening Round having recorded two wins from five games, but they also have one eye on a longer-term goal – an exciting journey to a potential Olympic appearance at Brisbane 2032.

The announcement on which sports are to be included on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Sports programme is yet to be made however with Australian softball and baseball having such a proud history in the game at the international level, there are many who are hopeful that the dreams of many young Australian softball and baseball athletes of participating in a home Olympics are fulfilled. The U-15 Women’s Softball side is no exception.

"Whilst we are slightly disappointed [we didn’t reach the Super Round] since we had the talent to get to the medal round, we didn't come here for that,” Australia head coach Amanda Reggie Fairley said. “We came here to get better, to learn what it takes to compete at the international level.

“This group of players will hopefully be eligible for the 2032 Olympics. I said to the girls before we started that no matter the result, it's about the process, it's about us learning, it's about getting better and learning to compete in a high-performance environment."

Making their debut in this age group World Cup, Australia made a superb start to the tournament, beating Singapore 11-0 and Czechia 9-4 before going down narrowly 8-6 to Chinese Taipei and then to Canada and defending champions USA by the same score 7-0.

Now they’re looking forward to building on that.

"Being from Australia, on the other side of the world, we have the opportunity to travel during everybody else's summer and gain exposure to the rest of the world,” Fairley added. “The girls are learning. We went seven innings against USA, and we were the first team to do it all week. I think it's a pretty good effort from this group of girls that have come together recently.

"When you watch the USA play, you can tell they are well-coached. Their talent pool, of course, is huge, but it's good to see other countries coming here and competing. American Samoa is participating in their first World Cup, and the sport is experiencing growth. Other countries are going to start catching up to USA very soon.

"I value a lot the U-15 World Cup. Especially for us in Australia, every opportunity we get to compete in international softball at the highest calibre is worth the time,” Fairley added. “The WBSC has built a wonderful tournament. In the future, I would love to see more teams qualifying and getting the opportunity."

Gabriella Nutman, who started five games at second base for Australia, is one of those hoping this tournament is the first taste of many exciting experiences on the international scene in the future.

"It has been a valuable experience for me and the team,” Nutman said. “We had the opportunity to come here and face teams from all over the world. It has been such a great experience."

Nutman, who is in her first year as a softballer having played baseball since she was four, has definitely fallen in the love with the sport and her team and is excited about the future ahead.

“The team has held their head high and played every pitch, every out to the best of their ability," she said. "I love the girls, I love the people and I love the support. I love how everybody backs each other and I’m looking forward to the Placement Round starting.”

Australia will play neighbours American Samoa in their opening Placement Round game on Wednesday, which will take place at 10:30 (local time).