Hornsby District Softball Association

17/06/2026

Congratulations to Kandra Lamb on reaching 50 games during today's game against Czechia at the WBSC Women's World Cup Group Stage in Prague 👏💚💛

16/06/2026

Go Kandra!!! 💛💚💛💚💛

15/06/2026

Making awesome humans is our goal!!. At the end of the day that’s what we want ❤️🥎

Everybody loves talking about the dream.

The scholarship. The college offer. Making the team.

But nobody wants to talk about the other possibility.

Your kid might do everything right… and still not get picked.

I was talking with a head coach friend who had to make cuts. One athlete came up and said,

“Coach, I did everything you asked me to do.”

And the truth?

She did.

She worked. She listened. She showed up. She improved.

And she still got cut.

That’s the part of sports that nobody wants to hear.

Because we’ve sold kids the idea that if they work hard enough, everything works out.

It doesn’t.

Sometimes there are better players.
Sometimes there are fewer spots than athletes.
Sometimes you can do everything right and still end up disappointed.

That’s life.

So if the only reason your kid is playing is for a scholarship or a college roster spot, what happens if it never comes?

Was it all a waste?

Hell no.

Sports was never supposed to guarantee an outcome.

It’s supposed to teach them how to handle adversity.
How to fail.
How to get back up.
How to keep showing up when things don’t go their way.

Because years from now, nobody is going to care about the team they didn’t make.

But they’ll carry the grit.
The discipline.
The confidence.
The resilience.

Maybe the biggest win isn’t making the roster.

Maybe it’s who they become while chasing it.

11/06/2026

To anyone this relates too!! Keep working hard. You are worthy ! You are valuable!! These wise words are not just for softball it relates to everyday life. Keep up your hard work it is what makes you a resilient, strong human and to be able to be knocked down and get up again is a super power 💪🏻 Hornsby Pride ❤️🥎

One of the hardest lessons in sports is realizing that hard work doesn’t guarantee opportunity.

You can be doing everything right. Showing up early. Staying late. Taking extra reps. Sacrificing more than anyone sees. And still watch someone else get the nod.

That’ll p**s you off if you let it.

You’ll start questioning yourself. Comparing yourself. Wondering if you’re missing something.

Don’t.

Some coaches will miss on you. Some will get it wrong. Some will never see what you’re capable of.

Good.

Now what?

You can sit around waiting for someone to believe in you, or you can become so damn good they have no choice but to notice.

The athletes who make it aren’t always the most hyped. They’re the ones who keep showing up when things aren’t going their way. They keep working when nobody’s watching. They keep building when nobody’s validating them.

Anybody can grind when they’re the starter. Can you do it when you’re not? Can you do it when someone else is getting your innings, your at-bats, your opportunities?

That’s where the real ones separate themselves.

Because adversity doesn’t build character. It exposes it.

So if you’re feeling overlooked right now, stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back to work.

Keep stacking days. Keep stacking reps. Keep stacking proof.

And when your opportunity comes?

Don’t just be ready.

Make them regret ever doubting you.

01/06/2026

Food for thought .🙏🙌

Every softball coach will tell you the same thing.
Off the record.
The biggest problem isn't the weather.
It's not the umpires.
It's not even the schedule.
It's us.
The parents.
The ones who call the coach
the morning after a tough loss.
The ones who pull their daughter aside
before she even gets to the dugout
to give her a "pep talk"
that's really just our own anxiety
wearing a supportive face.
The ones who can't watch her struggle
without wanting to fix it immediately.
Here's the hard truth:
The moment she strikes out
and has to sit with that feeling —
alone, in the dugout, without you —
and then picks herself back up?
That's the whole point.
That's what you came for.
That's what she'll carry
long after the last game.
She doesn't need you to rescue her.
She needs you to trust her.
There's a difference.
And she can feel it from the stands. 🧡*
Drop a ❤️ if you needed to hear this

29/05/2026

Great opportunity. Players put your name in. Meet new people learn from different coaches and lots fun to be had !!!!!

Pacific Cup is back again! 🥎

This time it's for Under 14 & Under 16, Boys & Girls! 🤩

Express your interest with the link below:
🔗https://form.jotform.com/SoftballNSW/2026-snsw-pacific-cup-athlete-eoi

(This form will be closing Wednesday 10 June, 2026)

27/05/2026

Last night, we held our 2026/27 AGM. We are very grateful to have such a great community behind us to keep HDSA running smoothly.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Before we look ahead, we would like to take a moment to sincerely thank the following members who are stepping down from their roles:

Paula Gray — Thank you, Paula, for your incredible dedication as President over the past three years. Your leadership, commitment, and passion for the association have been invaluable, and we wish you all the very best in Canada.
Janelle Dunk — Thank you, Janelle, for your tireless work as Rep Convenor. Your contribution to the development of our players and coaches has made a lasting impact on the association.
Simon Fitzhenry — Thank you, Simon, for your service to the association. Your commitment and support have been greatly appreciated by all.

This year, we welcome some new faces into our committee.

2026/27 Executive

President — Georgina MacKean
Vice President — Peter Markowiak
Vice President — Damaras Clarkson
Registrar — Louise Hollier
Assistant Registrar — Damaras Clarkson
Secretary — Caitlin Wilde

2026/27 Standing Committee

Coaching Convenor — Janelle Dunk
Scoring Convenor — Damaras Clarkson
Delegate to Hornsby Shire Council — Simon Fitzhenry
Uniform Officer — Karen Kemp
Canteen Manager — Karen Kemp
Public Relations / Website / Social Media Manager — Hannah MacKean
Sponsorship & Fundraising Officer — Molly Wilde
Umpiring Convenor — Peter Markowiak
Rules Convenor — Leo Gyzen
Competition Convenor — Monique Grzelska
Competition Convenor Assistant — Kate Proctor
Representative Convenor — Hannah MacKean

Vacant Positions

We are currently seeking nominations for the following positions. If you are interested in putting your hand up, or would like to nominate someone, please reach out to us.

Member Protection Officer
Public Relations / Website / Social Media Assistant
Equipment Officer
Grounds Manager

These are important roles within our association and we would love to see them filled ahead of the new season. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about what each role involves.

Horns up!!🤘🏼❤️🥎

25/05/2026

‼️ 2026 HDSA Annual General Meeting ‼️ TOMORROW NIGHT

Our AGM is quickly approaching us and we are hoping to welcome some new faces and lock in our returning members to our HDSA committee.

Our association is built on the hard work and passion of our volunteers. We are so thankful to those that give so much of their time to our association and are looking for more generous volunteers to help grow our sport.

All positions are currently vacant:
Executive positions:
🥎 President
🥎 Vice President (2)
🥎 Secretary
🥎 Registrar
🥎 Treasurer

General committee
🥎 Representative Convener
🥎 Competition Convener
🥎 Umpiring Convener
🥎 Rules Convener
🥎 Coaching Convener
🥎 Scoring Convener
🥎 Member Protection Officer
🥎 Delegate to Hornsby Sports Council (Hornsby Shire Council)
🥎 Uniform Officer
🥎 Public Relations Officer/ Website / Social Media Manager
🥎 Equipment Officer / Grounds Manager
🥎 Sponsorship /Fundrasinig Officer
🥎 Canteen Manager

As a committee, we meet monthly during the week to discuss important points of business about our summer softball season, representative opportunities and initiatives to grow our sport.

‼️The AGM will be held on Tuesday 26th May, 2026 at the Galston Club at 7pm‼️

To nominate for a position, please complete the form below. Nominations will also be taken from the floor that night.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczc7EJJatPAbjlf9ziU_rCiNgl8upS7rceSr9TVPCN9CABoQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4NS_Ax5L3Im1VXx_h8tz1gBB7ayNVhbah0NZkMeEDd2qDI9Tmloki6PDu9SQ_aem_7SHflG2G8TmQ9ChRLOBwYw

22/05/2026

Last weekend, our amazing under 18’s girls played hard at state champs!

Congrats girls on an amazing weekend. Shoutout to Sophie Hirst on winning the best batter award! ❤️🥎🩵

📸 Thank you Bec!!