Defence lined up against Queensland’s best teams at the Softball State Championships in Caboolture from September 6-8.
The combined team was unable to match last year’s success after they reached the qualifying finals, their best result.
After seven games against teams from across the state, the women finished the competition on a high, recording one win in their final match against Bundaberg’s Coral Coast.
Team coach Petty Officer Chris Murray said the team was a mix of experienced players and newcomers, with some new faces getting a run because of personnel availability.
Private Camille Copley was a first timer at the Queensland competition, after she was unable to attend the tournament despite making the team last year.
“The other teams played whole seasons together and exceeded our expectations,” Private Copley said.
“But our experienced players were like second coaches, they were good role models and were constantly talking on the field.”
Navy Lieutenant Cara Villella said the opposition took the competition seriously as they were competing for a spot on the state team.
“I learnt so much during that week; we stepped up playing some quality opposition,” Lieutenant Villella said.
But she said there were still plenty of opportunities to learn.
“It didn’t matter if you were a newbie or not, everyone was really supported and some of the seasoned players gave us rookies a lot of guidance,” she said.
‘Our experienced players were like second coaches, they were good role models and were constantly talking on the field.’
Leading Aircraftwoman Madison Tough, a Queensland and ACT representative, said the women improved with each performance.
“We did well considering that we hadn’t played together much – we played against state and national-level players,” Leading Aircraftwoman Tough said.
She knew many of the players on opposition teams, even coming up against her old team from Caboolture.
That didn’t stop her old team from playing hardball.
“They were all friendly but there was a bit of competitive banter,” Leading Aircraftwoman Tough said.
“We lost unfortunately but it was great to see everyone – there was even a bit of low-key recruitment on the side.”
It was the 10th time Defence had taken part in the annual competition, which Petty Officer Murray said showed that competitive sport and full-time work could go hand in hand.
“There’s one young girl who’s been through the recruitment process and is waiting on her enlistment into Navy. Softball probably wasn’t the reason why she joined but it couldn’t have hurt,” Petty Officer Murray said.
The men will participate in the Queensland titles in Redland in October.
Both men and women will play at the ADF ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Competition at the end of November, where players from across the country will try out for a spot on the Defence team.
