Softball Victoria is delighted to advise that nominations for the 2021 Victorian Softball Awards open this Sunday 13th June.

These awards are an opportunity recognise the amazing contributors within the Victorian softball community, with 10 awards on offer including – Life Membership, Hall of Fame and Merle Short Service awards.

Know of someone who has made a significant contribution around your softball club or association? View the full criteria and access the nomination forms for each award below.

Softball Victoria Life Membership

The Softball Victoria Life Membership credits the individuals who have played an active role in the sport of softball at a State administrative level for a period of at least 10-years. And as a result, demonstrated evidence of significant improvement to Victorian softball, generating the desire by the Association to retain a lifetime connection with that individual.

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the Life Membership nomination form

Softball Victoria Hall of Fame

The Softball Victoria Hall of Fame is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in softball. The honour recognises players and non-players who have influenced the sport across state and national level in various roles including; player, coach, umpire, team official scorer or manager. This acknowledgment is testament to the way the individuals conducted themselves on and off the field, in a manner that would have them looked at as a role model with a distinguished career.

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the Hall of Fame nomination form

The Merle Short Service Award

Merle Short was a long serving representative of Softball Victoria beginning in the early 1950’s when she served the Association in multiple administrative roles. In 1993 the Merle Short Service Award was named in her honour to be presented each year to softball volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding service within the softball community. Regardless of whether that service is on the diamond, coaching or umpiring, or off the diamond in administration roles, over 100-volunteers have been recognised in receiving the Merle Short Service award honouring both the recipient and the award namesake.

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the Merle Short Service Award nomination form

Margo Koskelainen Victorian Umpire of the Year Award

This award is named in honour of Softball Victoria and Softball Australia Life Member Margo Koskelainen for her contribution to the Victorian and Australian Umpiring program over many years. Margo’s illustrious career and achievements within the umpiring community are indicative of the qualities required of the recipients of this award.

The award is a perpetual shield and individual trophy and is awarded to the most outstanding Victorian umpire of the year.

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the Margo Koskelainen Victorian Umpire of the Year Award nomination form

For more information and to view past winners of this award follow this link here:

John Larter Umpire Scholarship

The John Larter Development Scholarship was introduced in 2006 in honour of one of Victoria’s senior umpires John Larter. John has been a major contributor to the Victorian Umpiring Program over many years and his commitment and achievements are recognised by Softball Victoria and the Victorian Umpiring Committee in the naming of this award. The award is presented to a current Level 1 umpire.

To be eligible to win the John Larter Development Scholarship:

• The nominee being a competent umpire within the season the award is presented in

• The umpire demonstrates an enthusiasm for umpiring

• The umpire consistently demonstrates an above average level of officiating skill

• The umpire demonstrates commitment to work towards their obtaining their level 2

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the John Larter Umpire Scholarship nomination form

For more information and to view past winners of this award follow this link here:

Marjorie Nora Dwyer Memorial Umpire Scholarship

In 1990 Trustees were appointed by Softball Victoria Inc. to establish this Scholarship trust dedicated to the memory of a great ambassador of softball.

Marj’s involvement in softball spanned over 30 years, during which time she was involved as a coach, administrator but more particularly an umpire, having gained her Victoria badge (level 3) and then her Australian badge (level 5) in 1955. Her commitment to umpiring saw her involved on state, national and international diamonds.

Within Victoria Marj was President of the Victorian Softball Umpires Association for three decades and was awarded Life Membership of Softball Victoria in 1975.

Her other involvements during this time saw Marj as a member of Softball Victoria Council and a coach of numerous Melbourne Association teams at Victorian championships.

At a national level Marj was Victoria’s delegate to the Federation for many years, was Australian Umpire in Chief for over two decades, was awarded Life Membership in 1966 and inducted into Softball Australia’s Hall of Fame in 1987.

Marj passed away on May 3rd, 1990 and was posthumously appointed to the newly established Softball Victoria Hall of Fame in 1993.

The purpose for which the Trust is established is to provide a fund for the benefit of the members from time to time of Softball Victoria Inc. for the education, training and advancement of softball umpires, being members of Softball Victoria who satisfy the prescribed requirements.

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the Marjorie Nora Dwyer Memorial Umpire Scholarship nomination form

Lorraine Davies Statistician of the Year Award

The Lorraine Davies Statistician of the Year Award is awarded to Victorian softball statisticians who have made a significant contribution to their team, club, Association, State and / or National program. The award recognizes the exceptional contribution made by a community softball statistician during 2020/21, with a focus on improving community / Association / State / National softball through encouraging participation, development, integrity and making softball more welcoming, safe and inclusive.

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the Lorraine Davies Statistician of the Year Award nomination form

Mary Walkinshaw Scoring Award

The Mary Walkinshaw Scoring Award is awarded to Victorian softball scorers who have demonstrated their skill and passion for softball scoring through their contribution to their team, club, Association and / State program. The award recognizes the most promising rising scorer, taking into account talent, commitment and dedication to improving their scoring knowledge and skills.

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the Mary Walkinshaw Scoring Award nomination form

Community Coach of the Year

The Community Coach of the Year Award is awarded to Victorian softball coaches who have made a significant contribution to their team, club, association and/or State. This award recognises the exceptional contribution made by a Victorian community softball coach during 2019/20, with a focus on improving community softball through encouraging participation, development, integrity and making softball more welcoming, safe and inclusive.

Nominations open: Sunday 13^th June 2021

Nominations close: Tuesday 13^th July 2021

Click HERE for the Community Coach of the Year Award nomination form

Association of the Year and Club of the Year

The Softball Victoria Association of the Year Award is awarded to the highest ranked Association as per the Softball Australia Homeplate Ladder for the applicable period.

Associations and Clubs collect points as part of the Homeplate Ladder program rewarding organisations that are well-managed, operate efficiently and have strong governance principles. In addition, organisations increase their ranking through implementing best practice, achieving growth and setting strategy to achieve long-term goals.

To find out more click on the link: https://homeplate.softball.org.au/

*There is no nomination process for these awards as they are based on the final Homeplate Ladder as at 30^th June in the relevant year.