Softball NSW Umpires

💙 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! 💙

Softball NSW Umpires wishes a very Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful dads, grandfathers, father figures and umpiring dads across our softball community.

Thank you for everything you contribute—both on and off the diamond. We hope you have a fantastic day! 🧢🥎

A huge congratulations to Bruce McCahon on being awarded Life Membership of Softball NSW! 💙🥎

This is a fantastic and well-deserved recognition of Bruce’s incredible contribution, commitment and dedication to softball over many years.

Thank you, Bruce, for everything you have given to our sport and the softball community. Your knowledge, passion and support have made a lasting impact. 👏

A very well-deserved honour!🎉👏

🥎💙 WSAS SOFTBALL UMPIRE PROGRAM – NOMINATIONS OPEN! 💙🥎

Calling all aspiring and developing umpires! 🧢

Nominations are now open for the 2026/27 WSAS Softball Umpire Program, delivered in partnership with Softball NSW and Softball NSW Umpires.

A fantastic opportunity to develop your skills, build confidence and take the next step in your umpiring pathway! 🚀

👉 Check out the original post below for details and how to nominate.

📩 Questions? Contact Joel Grimes:
[email protected]

💙🥎 Get involved and develop your game!

🥎 SOFTBALL UMPIRE PROGRAM NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! 🥎

Calling all aspiring and developing umpires - The 2026/27 WSAS Softball Umpire Program is officially open for nominations!

The Softball program is delivered in partnership with Softball NSW and is proudly supported by Tarista Transport.

This is a great opportunity for passionate & up and coming umpires
looking to develop their skills, build confidence and progress through the officiating pathway.
🎯 DEVELOP YOUR GAME WITH:
🏐 High-quality umpire development & practical sessions
🧠 Game understanding & decision-making
💪 Strength & Conditioning
📊 Performance & feedback
🩹 Injury Prevention & Recovery
🥗 Nutrition & Athlete Education
🎓 Sports Psychology & Personal Development
🚀 Preparation for higher-level representative opportunities
Umpires will have the opportunity to train in a high-performance environment, connect with other developing officials and access support designed to help them progress towards the next level of their officiating pathway.
👉 Nominate through the link below or visit the WSAS website for full program and nomination information.
🔗 https://thinksport.my.site.com/s/applications
🔗 https://regionalacademies.org.au/wsas/programs/softball-umpires/

🚨💙🥎 CALLING ALL LEVEL 2 CANDIDATES! 🥎💙🚨

Ready to take the next step in your umpiring journey? 🧢🔥

Applications are NOW OPEN for umpires looking to undertake their Level 2 Accreditation at two exciting upcoming events:

🥎 2026 U14 State Championship
19-20th September 2026
📍 Southern Districts Softball Association

🥎 2027 Blacktown Junior International Challenge (BJIC)
📅 26-29th March 2027
📍 Blacktown International Sportspark

This is a fantastic opportunity to continue developing your skills, gain valuable experience on the diamond and take another step along your umpiring pathway! 💪🧢

📝 HOW TO APPLY

Complete the Level 2 Candidate Application Form below and provide:
🔹 Your details
🔹 The championship you would like to nominate for
🔹 Your current UIC’s details

👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/EgCLLHmKPg

We’re looking forward to seeing our next group of Level 2 candidates out on the diamond and wish everyone applying the very best! 💙🧢🥎

❓ GOT QUESTIONS?

Please reach out to our Deputy Director – Training & Development, Joel Grimes:

📧 [email protected]

🔥 STEP UP. GET INVOLVED. TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR UMPIRE JOURNEY! 🔥

💙🥎 SNSW UIC SEMINAR 🥎💙

Sunday 30 August saw umpiring leaders from seven Associations come together for the Softball NSW UIC Seminar, providing a fantastic opportunity to connect, collaborate and continue strengthening umpiring across NSW.

Led by Deputy Directors of Umpiring Joel Grimes (Development), Leanne Gearside (Operations) and David Crowe (Projects), the seminar provided valuable insight into the support, development and future direction of the SNSW Umpire Leadership Team.

🧢 Topics covered included:

* Training & Assessment schedules for the next 12 months
* Community Umpire & Level 1 on-ground support
* Recruitment and building a positive local umpiring culture
* State & National pathways for umpire progression
* SNSW policies and procedures

📲 Improving Connection & Communication

A new initiative will see Association UICs connect via video meetings every six weeks, giving metropolitan and regional Associations an opportunity to discuss issues, share ideas, seek assistance and strengthen their understanding of umpiring matters.

“The SNSW Umpire Leadership Team is committed to moving forward to support the growth and development of umpiring across the State. Open communication and willingness to work in flexible ways with local associations and individual umpires is an essential element of this progress.”
— David Crowe, Deputy Director of Umpiring

A huge thank you to Cumberland Nepean Softball Association for hosting the seminar and providing lunch for everyone on the day. 💙

👏 Thank you to our Association representatives:

Sutherland Shire: Carol Heiler & Craig Oberg
North Shore Districts: Duncan Lansley
Penrith City: Rod Bailey
Southern Districts: Dave Roberts
Cumberland Nepean: Noah McGaughey
Newcastle District: Elizabeth Powell
Hornsby Districts: Hannah Walters

A fantastic step forward in continuing to support, develop and grow umpiring throughout NSW. 🥎🧢

💙

🌈🥎 HEY BLUES… WHO’S UP FOR SOME MIDWEEK SOFTBALL FUN?🥎🌈

Come and have a run around with the Sydney Outfielders LGBTQIA+ Mixed Slow Pitch Competition! 🙌

This comp is all about softball, good vibes, having a laugh and making everyone feel welcome, and they’d love to have some umpires join in the fun! 💙

📅 6 October 2026 – 17 March 2027
📍 Robertson Road Fields & Rushcutters Bay
⏰ Games start around 6:00–6:30pm and you’re usually done by 8:00pm

🙌 AND THE BEST PART… NO PLATE GEAR! 🙌

Yep, leave the gear bag at home!
Just turn up, call some balls and strikes, safes and outs, enjoy the atmosphere and have a bit of fun along the way!

Whether you’re an experienced Blue, still learning, or just want to get out there and enjoy some softball, EVERYONE IS WELCOME!🌈🥎

🔗 Keen to get involved? Here is the link:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=S8FBOBJFkkyyV2A-YRdG2pUCuVDaW-NJpTyaaZvprsZURTcyU1EwMDVEVzg4VEs0MU9TREdSSVhNQi4u&route=shorturl

Come give it a go… you might just have way too much fun! 😜💙

forms.cloud.microsoft

🥎 Umpire Development in Action 🥎

Over the past few weeks, our umpires have been taking part in development sessions as they work towards their Level 2 Umpire Accreditation.

Yesterday, they took to the diamond to put their learning into practice, refine their skills and continue building their confidence.

Great job, Blues! 💙👏

Love seeing our umpires developing and taking the next step in their journey! 🥎

🥎 PSSA Boys School Zone Wrap-Up 🥎

A fantastic three days of softball at the Sydney North School Zone Boys Tournament, held at Manly Grounds from 25–27 August!

Across 5 time slots on Tuesday, 5 on Wednesday, and 3 on Thursday, our umpiring team worked tirelessly to keep the tournament running smoothly.

A huge thank you to UIC George Norrish for leading the tournament, supported by 10 dedicated adult umpires who gave their time and experience throughout the week.

A special congratulations to Chloe Farrago and Harry White, who have been selected to officiate at the All Schools PSSA Championships at the end of October. An incredible achievement and well deserved!

Well done to everyone involved players, coaches, officials and volunteers for making it such a successful tournament. 👏

🥎🧢 Giving Effective Feedback 📝

What a fantastic learning experience tonight as we explored the importance of giving effective feedback! 💙

A huge thank you to Nick Beashel for running such an insightful and engaging session. Nick is a former NRL Referee, current NRL Referee Coach, Level 6 Softball Umpire and School Teacher, bringing with him a wealth of experience in both giving and receiving effective feedback across a range of sporting and professional environments. 🥎🧢🏉

Thank you to everyone who jumped online tonight and got involved. We hope you took plenty away from the session and can put it into practice throughout your umpiring journey! 🧢🥎

Don’t forget to register for an amazing session.

Giving Effective Feedback
Presented by Nick Beashel
📅 Thursday, 27 August
🕖 7:00 pm (AEST)
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

To register, email [email protected] - Microsoft Teams details will be forwarded to registered participants prior to the session.