New South Wales win 26th Australian Women's Softball Open National Championship title

The New South Wales Firestars defeated the defending champions South Australia Starz, 4-0, in the final at Jells Park, Victoria on Sunday, to win the Australian Women's Softball Open National Championship and claim their 26th Gilley's Shield.

The Firestars dominated the event, but the Starz proved to be a fierce competitor, defeating them in Game 27 on Friday, 5-1.

WBSC Women's Softball World Cup veteran Kandra Lamb dominated the Starz lineup, allowing only one hit and three walks in the complete game.

The Firestars took control of the game with a three-run bottom of the fourth. Centre fielder Shannon Keevers, who represented Australia at the World Games, and left fielder Rachel Lack got to starter Stephanie Trzcinski with RBI singles and another run scored on a defensive error. New South Wales added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth.

Lamb earned the Player of the Grand Final honours.

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Un post condiviso da Softball Australia (@softballaustralia)

The first Gilley's Shield was awarded in 1947, two years after Australia won the inaugural WBSC Women's Softball World Cup in 1945 in Melbourne. It has been awarded every year since - except in 2021 due to Covid - with 78 editions played. New South Wales is the most successful team with 26 titles followed by Victoria 22, Queensland 18, Western Australia 7,  ACT 3, South Australia 2.

Seven teams participated in the 2026 National Championship.

Final Standings

1. New South Wales Firestars
2. South Astralia Starz
3. Victoria Titans
4. Queensland Heat
5. Western Australia Flames
6. Tasmania Tigers
7. ACT Diamonds

Individual award winners

• Rosemary Adey Medal – Rookie of the Year – Abbie Bastian – SA Starz
• Sybil Turner Medal – Best Batter – Olivia Elliot – SA Starz
• Lorraine Woolley Medal – Best Pitcher – Georgina Corrick – Victoria Titans
• Midge Nelson Medal – Most Valuable Player – Olivia Elliot – SA Starz
• Player of the Grand Final – Kandra Lamb – NSW Firestars

All-Tournament Team

• Pitcher – Georgina Corrick – Victoria Titans
• Catcher – Sarah Beales – Victoria Titans
• First Base – Kylie Steemers – Queensland Heat
• Second Base – Tamieka Whitefield – Queensland Heat
• Third Base – Taylor Chillingworth – SA Starz
• Shortstop – Airi Miyamoto – Queensland Heat
• Left Field – Pippa Adkins – Tasmania Tigers
• Centre Field – Olivia Elliot – SA Starz
• Right Field – Lauren Brown – WA Flames
• Designated Player – Shaylan Whatman – NSW Firestars