Queensland dominates Australian Olympic Softball selections: Spence
Published Friday, 04 April, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Sport Minister Judy Spence today congratulated the host of Queensland athletes selected into the Australian Softball Team which will compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Seven Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) athletes have been included in the 15 woman line up announced today by Softball Australia, that will be competing for a gold medal in August.
“A gold medal has eluded the Aussie Spirit team since it started competing in the Olympics and with a silver medal in Athens I’m sure they are looking to go that one step further in 2008,” Ms Spence said.
“This event will be one for the history books as Softball has been overlooked as a sport for the London 2012 Olympics.
“It would be sensational to see our women add a gold medal to their already impressive haul, which has seen them on the medal dais in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens.”
QAS athletes Danielle Stewart, Jodie Bowering and Kylie Cronk will all be making their Olympic debuts this year in Beijing, while experienced players Sandra Lewis, Tracey Mosley, Kelly Hardie and Tanya Harding will be taking to the field once again in the green and gold.
Tanya Harding is one of Australia’s most successful pitchers, and this will be her fourth appearance at an Olympic Games for the nation. Beijing will be Sandra Lewis’s third Olympics, while Tracey Mosley and Kelly Hardie will be making their second appearance at an Olympic Games for the Aussie Spirit.
“Softball is indeed a popular sport throughout Queensland and it is rewarding to see so many of our athletes included on such an elite team,” Ms Spence said.
"This government continues to provide our softballers with world class training facilities.
"Last November marked the official opening of the Brisbane Softball Centre at Downey Park. This Government provided over $600,000 for lighting and diamond improvements at the Centre, ensuring the facility attained international standard as a day and night softball park.
"These upgrades build on our international softball facilities at Ormiston, which were completed in early 2007. The Government provided more than $1.5 million for this centre.
"We also provide $270,000 a year for the QAS Softball program which nurtures the development of our elite athletes with excellent coaching, support services and sports-based technology.
“I wish each of these athletes’ the best of luck in their endeavours to bring home Australia’s first softball Olympic gold medal and look forward to watching them take the field in August.”
Media Contact: 3239 6218
Seven Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) athletes have been included in the 15 woman line up announced today by Softball Australia, that will be competing for a gold medal in August.
“A gold medal has eluded the Aussie Spirit team since it started competing in the Olympics and with a silver medal in Athens I’m sure they are looking to go that one step further in 2008,” Ms Spence said.
“This event will be one for the history books as Softball has been overlooked as a sport for the London 2012 Olympics.
“It would be sensational to see our women add a gold medal to their already impressive haul, which has seen them on the medal dais in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens.”
QAS athletes Danielle Stewart, Jodie Bowering and Kylie Cronk will all be making their Olympic debuts this year in Beijing, while experienced players Sandra Lewis, Tracey Mosley, Kelly Hardie and Tanya Harding will be taking to the field once again in the green and gold.
Tanya Harding is one of Australia’s most successful pitchers, and this will be her fourth appearance at an Olympic Games for the nation. Beijing will be Sandra Lewis’s third Olympics, while Tracey Mosley and Kelly Hardie will be making their second appearance at an Olympic Games for the Aussie Spirit.
“Softball is indeed a popular sport throughout Queensland and it is rewarding to see so many of our athletes included on such an elite team,” Ms Spence said.
"This government continues to provide our softballers with world class training facilities.
"Last November marked the official opening of the Brisbane Softball Centre at Downey Park. This Government provided over $600,000 for lighting and diamond improvements at the Centre, ensuring the facility attained international standard as a day and night softball park.
"These upgrades build on our international softball facilities at Ormiston, which were completed in early 2007. The Government provided more than $1.5 million for this centre.
"We also provide $270,000 a year for the QAS Softball program which nurtures the development of our elite athletes with excellent coaching, support services and sports-based technology.
“I wish each of these athletes’ the best of luck in their endeavours to bring home Australia’s first softball Olympic gold medal and look forward to watching them take the field in August.”
Media Contact: 3239 6218