As teams begin to return to training and tournaments and leagues on the horizon, Softball Ireland have today issued the “Softball Ireland Injury Policy”.

The policy has been developed by the Softball Ireland Medical Committee (Dr. Andrew Craven and Dr. Melanie Cunningham).

Softball Ireland (SI) takes the health and safety of its members seriously, especially in the case of head injury or in the event of a player becoming unconscious during a game or training session. This policy has been developed to assist the regional associations, national teams, clubs, and players promote good practice regarding general safety and injury to players, with a specific focus on head injuries.

SI expects all regional associations, national teams, clubs, and players to follow this policy and the guidance contained within it in full.

We would encourage all teams, tournament organisers and Regional Boards to become familiar with the document and implement it as appropriate. 

The “Softball Ireland Injury Policy” is available under the resources section of the Softball Ireland website (www.softball.ie) and throught the following link – http://www.softball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Softball-Ireland-Injury-Policy-2021-v1.0.pdf 

For further information, or clarification on any aspects of this policy, the medical committee can be contacted by emailing: medical@softball.ie.

The 2022 Brian Walshe Cup will be held on Saturday April 23, 2022 in ALSAA, Dublin. The 2022 BWC will be the first tournament hosted by Softball Ireland post COVID restrictions and we are looking forward to returning to normal with a big turnout in 2022!

Team entry cost is €175 with registration closing on Friday 15th April at 5pm. Game Balls will be provided by Softball Ireland on the day.

For International Women’s Day 2022, Softball Ireland wish to highlight the female leaders in our sport who continiously help us govern, grow and develop softball in Ireland

Heather Foust – Usual Suspects

I started playing softball at age 10 back home in Texas and joined softball in Ireland in 2019 playing with the Suspects.

To pay the bills, I am a Manager in the Financial Services Advisory department at Grant Thornton. My main focus is internal audit and AML so you could say I’d be fit to ensure the accounts at SL are appropriately managed. Over the last couple of years I’ve met and made lots of friends through softball and built a real family with the Suspects.

I truly enjoy playing the game and have always wanted to help build the sport across the country. It’s great to be part of something bigger and hope that by being a member of the committee I can assist in achieving great things. Impatiently waiting for a full season!

For International Women’s Day 2022, Softball Ireland wish to highlight the female leaders in our sport who continiously help us govern, grow and develop softball in Ireland.

Gillian Fitzpatrick, Board Member, Softball Ireland

I’m still relatively new to the game – but this is my second year on the board of Softball Ireland. I like to think I add a bit of an outsider’s perspective! It’s important that we build and nurture a strong board, and for me that means drawing on different experiences, backgrounds, and areas of expertise.

I founded my own advertising and marketing company, Bolter Media, last year and currently act as its MD. I work with start- and scale-up brands who have put significant blood, sweat, and tears into developing their products and services – and then struggle to know how they’re going to acquire their customers. That’s when I come in.

If you’re looking to make a splash with a new brand, I always recommend the following: streamline your messaging, develop brilliant social media platforms, be confident, and don’t panic. That last one is really important!

Playing softball offers me a nice bit of respite from the madness of running my own business. It’s competitive but it’s also an accessible sport – you don’t need to have played before and or be typically ‘sporty’ to get going. And this year, after two years of Covid-19 disruption, we’re hopefully now going into a more normal season. I can’t wait!

For International Women’s Day 2022, Softball Ireland wish to highlight the female leaders in our sport who continiously help us govern, grow and develop softball in Ireland.

Jacinta Kelly, Treasurer Galway Softball

Playing softball since 2005 with the Galway Tribes. Started playing through people from work as they were short of girls and asked me to give it a try. I always like trying new things so I gave it a go and I’m still playing.

In my day job I’m the VP of Finance for a travel technology company, OpenJaw Technologies Limited. I’m a Chartered Accountant so probably inevitable that you’ll be asked to be treasurer at some point. Over the years I’ve met and made lots of friends through softball of all ages and nationalities, it really is an inclusive sport. We’ve had players from 16 to 70 play with us.

It’s also nice to give something back to the club by being part of the committee. I’d encourage anyone to give it a try.