Waikato Softball Association

Congratulations Levi on your selection!
Proud to have you represent the Waikato 🟡🔴⚫️

Congratulations to all players selected in the New Zealand U15 Black Sox.

Being named to represent New Zealand is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work, commitment and talent each player has shown. We also acknowledge the families, coaches, clubs and associations who have supported these young athletes along the way.

We look forward to watching this group continue their development and take the next steps on the Black Sox pathway.

Congratulations – wear the fern with pride!

Introducing our Womens HFC coaches for this season..

Expressions of interest to trial are open - register on the link below https://www.softballwaikato.org.nz/viewform/526491
Trial #1 will be held 18th October 10am at Resthills

See you all tomorrow!

Reminder club to board is on Sunday at the clubrooms, please send your delegates along

📅 Club to board meeting coming up next week, make sure your club delegates attend to get details on the upcoming season 🥎

📅 Club to board meeting coming up next week, make sure your club delegates attend to get details on the upcoming season 🥎

Reminder: AGM today 2pm at Resthills!

📆 Save the Date

We are holding our AGM on Sunday 26th July at 2.00pm at the Resthills clubrooms

We hope to see you there 🥎

📅 Reminder, the AGM is being held next Sunday at Resthills clubrooms.

📆 Save the Date

We are holding our AGM on Sunday 26th July at 2.00pm at the Resthills clubrooms

We hope to see you there 🥎

Good luck to Levi who is attending the U15 Black Sox Training camp this weekend!

Have fun, go hard and give it everything! 🥎

Congratulations and welcome to the new CEO of Softball NZ Casey Eden. We look forward to building a relationship and working alongside Casey and SNZ to continue to grow the game we love.

A huge thanks to Rebecca Minkley, Interim CEO, for a great job done! We have enjoyed and appreciated the support from you over the past 12 months.

📣FORMER BLACK SOX #204 CASEY EDEN APPOINTED AT CHIEF EXECUTIVE📣

Softball New Zealand has appointed former Black Sox player and manager Casey Eden as its new Chief Executive, bringing a leader steeped in the national game together with a proven record of building successful businesses.

Eden takes up the role on 20 July 2026, succeeding interim Chief Executive Rebecca Minkley, who has led the organisation since October 2025.

Eden played for the Black Sox in 2011-12 and managed the side from 2018 to 2022. Away from the diamond, he founded the community platform Neighbourly, which was acquired by Stuff, was a founding team member of GrabOne, and founded fintech company Orchestra, acquired by Sharesies. Most recently, as Chief Commercial Officer of First Table, he led the company's international growth, scaling annual revenue from $2 million to more than $15 million across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. He is a current board member of Golf New Zealand and has worked with both Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ.

Softball New Zealand Board Chair Hoani Lambert said the appointment marks an important moment for the sport.

“Casey is a rare appointment - someone who has lived the full softball pathway, from club player to Black Sox representative to managing the national team, and who has also founded, built and scaled successful businesses. Softball has bold ambitions for its profile, participation and performance, and Casey has the credibility in our community and the commercial capability to deliver them.”

“I also want to acknowledge Rebecca Minkley, whose leadership over the interim period has given the organisation real stability and momentum. Casey inherits an organisation in far stronger shape because of her work.”

Eden said the role was a chance to give back to the sport that shaped him.

“Softball has given me some of the best experiences of my life, as a player, a manager and proud member of the softball whanau. This sport has world-class people and a proud legacy. My focus is on listening to our members first, and then working alongside the Board, staff, associations and partners to grow the game - more players, stronger competitions, and teams that keep making New Zealand proud on the world stage.”

The appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process that attracted a strong field of candidates from New Zealand and overseas.

Eden begins in the role on 20 July 2026. Rebecca Minkley will support the handover and conclude her term on 31 July 2026.

NOTICE OF 2026 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

All nominations for Life Members, Committee Members and Remits due Monday 6th July 5pm.

There is one vacant committee position to be filled through the nomination process. All nominations need to be submitted prior to the meeting. Please note, no nominations will be accepted at the meeting.

Email nominations to [email protected]