07/09/2026
School Sport Australia Softball Program from 2027 Clarification
School Sport Australia Softball Program from 2027 Clarification
We appreciate the significant interest and feedback following the announcement of changes to the School Sport Australia Softball Program from 2027.
We recognise that the 18 Years & Under Championship has been a valued part of the school sport experience for many students, teachers, coaches and families. We understand the disappointment felt by those who have participated in, or hoped to participate in, this event.
The decision followed an extensive review and consultation process involving School Sport Australia's State and Territory Member Bodies and Softball Australia.
Rather than simply discontinue the 18 Years & Under Championship, School Sport Australia and Softball Australia have worked together to identify where a national school championship can provide a stronger and more distinctive opportunity within the broader softball landscape.
From 2027, the new 15 Years & Under School Sport Australia Softball Championship will provide another age group with the opportunity to represent their State or Territory at a national school championship, while complementing existing representative competitions rather than duplicating them.
A key consideration in the review was that more than 90% of athletes were attending both the School Sport Australia and Softball Australia national championships. While both events provided valuable experiences, this overlap has seen a decline in State and Territory participation in the SSA Championship, while students and families were also being asked to meet the costs of competing at multiple national-level events.
Importantly, this change does not reduce School Sport Australia's commitment to softball. The new championship will maintain national representative opportunities within school sport, strengthen links to the Softball Australia pathway, and reinforce connections between school sport and the broader softball community. It ensures school sport continues to provide meaningful, sustainable and distinctive opportunities for students.
School Sport Australia and Softball Australia remain committed to working together to make the new 15 Years & Under Championship a successful part of the national softball landscape from 2027.
