Waverley Softball Association in Melbourne’s south-east is set to host the 2022 Under 23 Men’s National Softball Championship this week, thanks to the support of the Victorian State Government.

Teams from around Australia will descend on Jells Park in Wheelers Hill for the four-day event that kicks off on Thursday morning, and concludes with the Championship decider at 2pm on Sunday.

Click here to view the 2022 Under 23 Men’s Championship Program.

More than 100 players, coaches, umpires, and statisticians will participate at this year’s event, with defending champions Queensland joined by teams Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and hosts Victoria as they compete for the Laing Harrow Shield.

Waverley President Heather Webb said, “We are thrilled to be hosting the Men’s Under 23 National Softball Championship. I look forward to welcoming participants and their families to Melbourne, the sporting capital of the world and home to more than 2200 registered softballers.”

Softball Victoria President Anthony Bradstreet added, “After the disappointment of COVID cancellations over the last two years, it’s fantastic to have the Under 23’s back on the softball calendar. It features the next generation of Australian softball talent, and many of these athletes will be selected in the Australian team that will compete at the U23 Men’s World Cup in Argentina later this year.”

Players in this age group will also be vying for selection in the Australian Open Men’s Team, the Aussie Steelers, who make a long-awaited return to international competition at the WBSC World Cup in Auckland in December.

Softball Victoria and Softball Australia acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government.