Braves Softball & Sports Club

2026-27 Season: Committee

As we get ready to head into the new season we firstly want to say a massive thank you to everyone who gave their time, energy, ideas, and support our 2025-26 committee.

Committees don't happen without people willing to put their hands up, share their thoughts, lend a hand, and help keep things moving. We truly appreciate every contribution, big or small.

We would also like to give a warm welcome to our new committee for the upcoming season. We are looking forward to another great season, working together, building on what's been achieved and continuing to make our Club and softball community something we can all be proud of.

To those finishing up, thank you for everything you've contributed.
To those stepping in, welcome and thank you for putting your hand up.

Here's to the new season!

2026-27 Season: Club Registration

It might feel like the season is a little way off but now is the time to get the ball rolling.

Whether you're a seasoned softballer, a complete beginner, a returning player, or a parent registering your little slugger, we'd love to know who's keen to take the diamond with us this morning.

Fill in our registration form here:
https://forms.gle/pFSK9eHnuUixRh5T7

Your response helps us work out how many teams we can pull together and make sure we have enough coaches, managers, uniforms and equipment. Most importantly it heps us make sure there's a place for everyone who wants to play.

Let's make this season a good one!

2026-27 Season: Women's Muster

Our favourite battery duo are bringing us back to women’s Saturday softball! 🥎💪

Keen to give Fastpitch women’s softball a go? Cathryn and Alice are hosting an open women’s training/muster on Sunday 30 August at 11am, for anyone keen to play for us this season!

Whether you’re brand new to Fastpitch or a seasoned player, this is a safe space led by two of our longest standing players ready to give back to the community and help develop women’s softball in Whanganui. Nau mai, haere mai! 😎

Club AGM

Date: Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: 10.00am
Where: Whanganui Ballpark

This is a great opportunity to see what's been happening at the Club, have your say, and help shape the season ahead.

Whether you're a player, parent, or supporter, we'd love to see some new faces and fresh ideas. Every contribution, big or small helps keep our Club thriving.

We hope to see you there.

2025-26 Prizegiving

What an awesome way to wrap up the season! Our prizegiving was full of smiles, cheers and celebrations, and plenty of well deserved recognition for all the hard work, growth, and team spirit shown throughout the season.

A massive congratulations to all of our award winners. Your dedication, effort and love for our Club and the game truly stood out and we are proud of each and everyone of you.

We try to keep things fun and welcoming and inclusive, and encourage everyone to be part of our softball community and honestly, that's what makes this Club so special. At the heart of it, our growth and success isn't just about what happens on the diamond, it's thanks to every player, parent, partner, supporter, and volunteer who shows up, cheers loud, helps out, and creates this amazing environment for this sport that we all love to thrive. We couldn't do it without you all.

And once again, to our award winners, this recognition is so well deserved, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next season.

Here's to a great season and an even bigger one in 2026-27.

Player profiles: Cecelia Hunapo & Hingaawatea Wineera

This week's profile is a special one and our final for the season as we double up with our two youngest Club members.

At just three and four years old, these two little legends are part of our Peewees team. They're usually good for at least a couple innings before the real action begins...helicopter spinning on the diamond with Papa/Uncle Kajah 🤣 That said, they did manage to play one full game this season, a huge achievement!

They're familiar faces around the ballpark, often spotted working the crowd in search of free pies or lollies from the canteen. From the first round right through to the final game of the day, they're always there, (im)patiently waiting for big sister/cousin to finish umpiring, Papa/Uncle to finish coaching and playing, Mama/Kiki to finish scoring, and of course for everyone to FINALLY stop chatting.

Plenty of years ahead for these two little firecrackers. We can't wait to watch them grow in the game and the Club.

While this is our last weekly profile for the season, keep an eye out over the off season as we'll still be sharing the occasional spotlight here and there.

Braves Excellence: Maximus Mathews

While we're on a roll of celebrating Club members, we want to take a moment to give a huge round of applause to Max who was part of our Ezi Finance senior men's team this year and is making huge moves with a different shaped bat (racket...whatever).

He has been carving it up on the squash scene, picking up major titles and representing Aotearoa on the international stage. With some big tournaments coming up and plenty more ahead, it's awesome to see all the hard work paying off.

We're proud to have you as part of our club, Max, keep smashing it and we'll be cheering you on all the way! Even if we don't know the rules...

The 17-year-old Whanganui player is New Zealand's junior squash champion.

WSA Awards: Best & Fairest

Kajah is a familiar face (and voice!) at the ballpark, and has been part of the Braves whānau for a number of seasons now, cutting his teeth alongside the old boys who made the trip to Palmy week in, week out to play in the Manawatū comp.

You never have to worry about the vibes being low when Kajah is around because he IS the vibe. Whether you're in the dugout, on the diamond, or up in the terraces, he's the guy brining the energy and putting smiles on faces.

A driving force behind the revival of our junior teams, Kajah also pulled together our Naylor Love Braves senior men's side this season, guiding a group that's gone from strength to strength. He's passionate about making sure everyone loves the game as much as he does, and more importantly, that they enjoy every moment at the ballpark.

Just last week he was away with Cullinane College, helping them take out the mixed grade competition in spectacular fashion. In true Kajah style, his mid-final interview said it all, keeping the focus on the kids, their enjoyment, and the energy they bring to the game.

Receiving the Edwards Award for Best & Fairest from the Whanganui Softball Association simply confirms what we already know. Kajah embodies skill, sportsmanship, respect, and positivity both on and off the diamond.

Let's hear it for our guy 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽



Photo courtesy of Hannah's Photography.
Kajah doing what he does best. Lifting up our young players, backing their ability, and making sure they step out there with the confidence to do the job.