Australia: Olympian Kaia Parnaby pitches New South Wales to Women's Softball National Title
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<p>New South Wales dominated Australia's Women's Softball National Championship, posting an overall 11-1 record to claim the title in Canberra. The national champions, who outscored their opponents 98-7 in the tournament, topped Queensland in the final by a score of 3-1.</p>
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<p>The National Championship, hosted in Canberra, had seven participating teams. The champions filled their roster with Olympians like Michelle Cox, Rachel Lack, Stacey McManus, Kaia Parnaby, Gabbie Plain and Taylah Tsitsikronis. </p>
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<p>The tournament had an international flavour, with world-class pitchers like Megan Faraimo (USA) and Georgina Corrick (GBR) participating in the event. Faraimo helped Tasmania to a fourth-place finish, while Corrick played for Victoria, who finished fifth.</p>
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<p>In the individual awards, Parnaby was the Player of the Grand Final, while National Team and Queensland infielder Tamieka Whitefield was the best hitter and was named the MVP. Faraimo was the Best Pitcher of the Tournament while Mia Gilmore (ACT) received the Rookie of the Year award.</p>
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<p>With the <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2024-womens-softball-world-cup-finals/home" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals</span></strong></a></strong> taking place in July and softball returning to the Olympic programme for Los Angeles in 2028, world No. 10 Australia has an eye on the short and long term of its player development, reinforced by the fact that the Olympic Games 2032 have been awarded to Brisbane, Queensland, where Australia will host the Games for the third time. </p>
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<p>Australia's National Championship season continues with the U-18 Girls and Boys National Championship starting on 16 January, in Mirrabooka, Western Australia. Both events finish on 21 January.</p>
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