Wellington Softball Association

05/09/2026

We may be a bit biased but happy Father’s Day to all you softball dads out there 🥎🥎

03/09/2026

30/08/2026

New Life Member – Jeremy England

Wellington Softball is incredibly proud to recognise Jeremy England as a Life Member of our Association, acknowledging an extraordinary contribution to softball and, in particular, umpiring across more than four decades.

Jeremy’s softball journey began as a player in 1973 before he umpired his first game at Redwood Park, Tawa, in February 1983. Since then, he has progressed to become a Level 7 umpire, officiating at national and international events around the world, including the 2012 Junior Men’s World Championship in Argentina, where he worked the championship final.

His contribution away from the diamond has been equally significant. Jeremy has served as President of the Wellington Softball Umpires Association since 1999, presented and trained officials through the Central Region Umpires Clinic since 2004, served on the Wellington Softball Association Executive from 1998–2017, and held the role of Central Region Director of Umpiring.

Jeremy has also been recognised with numerous awards throughout his career, including Softball New Zealand Umpire of the Year, Wellington Umpire of the Year and Distinguished Service Awards from both Wellington Softball and Softball New Zealand.

Jeremy’s influence reaches well beyond the games he has officiated. His commitment to mentoring and developing officials has helped strengthen umpiring in Wellington and contributed enormously to our softball community.

Congratulations Jeremy, and thank you for your outstanding service to Wellington Softball. A thoroughly deserved Life Membership.

08/08/2026

Congratulations to these three legends! Such a well deserved honour for years of service 🥎🥎

🌟 Club Life Membership Announcement 🌟

We are thrilled to announce that at the recent AGM, Jason Kempson, Teresa Orr, and Mike Popata were officially awarded Life Membership of our Club.

These three individuals have poured their time, energy, and passion into our community for years, going above and beyond on the field, on committees, and behind the scenes. Their unwavering dedication has helped shaped our club into the community it is today, and this honor is thoroughly deserved.

A huge congratulations and thank you to Jason, Teresa, and Mike, who now join Gil Spencer, Karen Mason, and Gary Fugle on our roll of Life Members.

10/07/2026

Softball whānau 🥎, many of you will know of the former Black Sox and Wellington softball player, Freddie Wyatt, so I'm sharing this to see if you can help in his fight with pancreatic cancer.
Having lost my wife to cancer last year, things like this always touch a little closer 🩷

This page is all for our loving pāpā, in hopes to extend his life. Ka tangi te manu kotahi, ka rangona te ngahere katoa.

26/06/2026

📣FORMER BLACK SOX #204 CASEY EDEN APPOINTED AT CHIEF EXECUTIVE📣

Softball New Zealand has appointed former Black Sox player and manager Casey Eden as its new Chief Executive, bringing a leader steeped in the national game together with a proven record of building successful businesses.

Eden takes up the role on 20 July 2026, succeeding interim Chief Executive Rebecca Minkley, who has led the organisation since October 2025.

Eden played for the Black Sox in 2011-12 and managed the side from 2018 to 2022. Away from the diamond, he founded the community platform Neighbourly, which was acquired by Stuff, was a founding team member of GrabOne, and founded fintech company Orchestra, acquired by Sharesies. Most recently, as Chief Commercial Officer of First Table, he led the company's international growth, scaling annual revenue from $2 million to more than $15 million across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. He is a current board member of Golf New Zealand and has worked with both Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ.

Softball New Zealand Board Chair Hoani Lambert said the appointment marks an important moment for the sport.

“Casey is a rare appointment - someone who has lived the full softball pathway, from club player to Black Sox representative to managing the national team, and who has also founded, built and scaled successful businesses. Softball has bold ambitions for its profile, participation and performance, and Casey has the credibility in our community and the commercial capability to deliver them.”

“I also want to acknowledge Rebecca Minkley, whose leadership over the interim period has given the organisation real stability and momentum. Casey inherits an organisation in far stronger shape because of her work.”

Eden said the role was a chance to give back to the sport that shaped him.

“Softball has given me some of the best experiences of my life, as a player, a manager and proud member of the softball whanau. This sport has world-class people and a proud legacy. My focus is on listening to our members first, and then working alongside the Board, staff, associations and partners to grow the game - more players, stronger competitions, and teams that keep making New Zealand proud on the world stage.”

The appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process that attracted a strong field of candidates from New Zealand and overseas.

Eden begins in the role on 20 July 2026. Rebecca Minkley will support the handover and conclude her term on 31 July 2026.

16/06/2026

2026/2027 Wellington Representative Coach Applications Now Open!
Are you interested in applying to be a Wellington Representative Coach? Applications are now open for new and returning representative coaches. This also includes our U13 & U15 coaches from the Representative Development programme. Follow the link below to apply.
🥎Application:
https://www.wellingtonsoftball.org.nz/viewform/517658
🥎Applications are due by Sunday, 16 July 2026.
🥎2026/2027 Tournament Schedule🥎

U13 boys & girls - TBD Manawatu (Colquhoun Park)

U15 boys & girls - 30 - 31 Jan, North Harbour (Rosedale Park)

U19 Boys - 7-10 Jan, Manawatu (Colquhoun Park)

U19 Girls - 7-10 Jan, Wellington (Hataitai Park)

U17 Girls - 14-17 Jan, Papakura (Prince Edward Park)

U17 Boys - 14-17 Jan, Dunedin (Handcock Park)

NFC Men & Women - 18-21 Feb, North Harbour (Rosedale Park)

Any questions, please reach out to [email protected]

29/05/2026

A huge congratulations to all of our nominees and award winners from the 2025/2026 WSA Prizegiving 👏

We are incredibly proud of the talent, dedication, and growth shown across all grades this season.

A special thank you to all of our sponsors for your continued support — and a big shout out to LIFESTYLE SPORTS for sponsoring our newest award category, Emerging Junior Female & Male Players of the Year, with BRAND NEW GLOVES 🥎🔥

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the night a success. We’re excited for what’s ahead this off-season and can’t wait to see everyone back out on the ball field next season!