Brisbane welcomes New Zealand U-18 Women’s National Softball Team amid season of major international softball events

The New Zealand U-18 Women’s National Softball Team — the Junior White Sox — have arrived in Brisbane for a high-performance training camp as part of a multi-stage competitive tour in Australia. Their programme includes participation in the Australian U-23 Women’s Softball National Championship from 16 to 18 December, followed by a three-game series against the Australia U-18 National Softball Team from 19 to 21 December.

Brisbane continues to strengthen its position as a leading international softball hub, hosting a growing slate of international events and national teams throughout the season. Recent and upcoming activities in the region include November’s series against Chinese Taipei, the USA Down Under International Softball Series from 31 December to 3 January — marking Team USA’s first return to Australia since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games — and the Australia Cup in January. Redlands, just outside Brisbane, is also set to host the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals in 2027.

The Junior White Sox opened their tour with a 10–1 victory over a Brisbane Invitation Team, followed by a competitive 6–4 loss to defending national champions Queensland U-23. They will play one additional warm-up game before officially entering the U-23 National Championship on Tuesday.

This event marks the first competition of the 2025–2026 Australian National Championships calendar, as well as the first of two National Championships being staged in the Brisbane metropolitan area. The U-23 Men’s Softball National Championship will follow from 3 to 8 February in Redlands.