With softball taking place at the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008, Brianna Trim has thrown her hat into the ring for Olympic selection as part of the Aussie Spirit’s quest for gold in Tokyo.

Having grown up in NSW playing junior softball at Manly Warringah Softball Club, she would soon receive state honors as a teenager being part of four consecutive winning national title teams in the U17s and U19s from 2014 – 2017.

Despite the early success in her career, Trim said that she never envisioned that it would lead to becoming part of the Travelodge Aussie Spirit squad or the Olympic team.

“I didn’t think about it at all (making international squads) when I first started, I just played for fun,” she said.

“I didn’t even think about being part of rep squads until I was in U12s. When I was younger, I just loved playing any sport, it didn’t matter what it was.”

Despite showing early promise at junior level for NSW, Trim would hit a roadblock after being overlooked for the NSW open age side. Receiving a lifeline after being drafted by the Victoria Titans, Trim said that the move south to Victoria opened opportunities that staying in NSW wouldn’t have provided.

“I was a NSW representative all throughout my juniors and then in the open age I didn’t get selected,” Trim said.

“I got put into the draft and was able to play for Victoria (Titans) and have been with them for three years now.”

“It’s been really good, Mark (Rigg) and Corey (Dimitrijevic) and the other coaches have been really supportive of me.”

“Coming out to Victoria and playing has helped get my name out there more. I’ve gotten more opportunities to get looked at (by selectors) more than if I had stayed in NSW.”

Making her Titans debut in 2018 at the Gilley’s Shield she has since repaid the faith the Titans showed in picking her up.

After a stellar 2020 Gilley’s Shield tournament where she won the inaugural Peta Edebone Medal awarded to the Titans’ MVP, Trim would be selected for the Australia A team which took part in that year’s Australia Pacific Cup. Trim impressed enough to earn a senior call-up to the Spirit squad at the start of 2021.

The 22-year-old said the biggest takeaway of being part of the international set-up is learning about the psychology of the sport, and how to get the best out of herself as a player.

“We’ve had a lot of team talks in the lead up to the Olympics focused about what player you want to be and what type of legacy that you want to leave behind.”

“There’s been a lot on how to be in the right mindset and getting the right outcomes, which has been the biggest takeaway for me.”

Trim’s also had the chance to develop her game under the tutelage of the experienced heads in the squad – the likes of Stacey Porter (captain), Jade Wall, Belinda White and others have helped develop her game.

“It’s fantastic being with them, I take every opportunity to ask them questions and get insight,” Trim said.

“I have learnt so much from them and picked up skills and techniques that I never knew. I feel because of them I’m a better player now than what I was 18 months ago.”

“I feel like that I’ve changed not only as a player, but as person.”

Returning from a recent Travelodge Aussie Spirit camp in Bankstown, Trim said she’s energised and determined to make sure her name is part of the team sheet heading to Tokyo for July’s Olympic Games.

“I’ve worked really hard for this, even though I haven’t been part of the Spirit set-up for 3 years like some of the players, it doesn’t mean I don’t want it just as much.”

“I’m still working hard for it (a spot), I’ve had opportunities to play at high levels, but to be able to play for your country is an opportunity like no other and will be the most special time of my life.”

Now on the cusp of an Olympic dream, Trim’s advice to younger softballers with similar ambitions is to just enjoy the game.

“I think what they need is to have a positive mindset, have fun playing and want to learn.”

“It’s what’s great about a team sport that you get to learn off everyone, and how to keep working hard.”

Written by Giacomo Bruno