Softball Victoria is pleased to advise that nominations for the 2024 Victorian Softball Awards are now open.

These awards are an opportunity recognise the significant contributors within the Victorian softball community, with nine awards on offer including Life Membership, Hall of Fame, and the Merle Short Service awards. If you know anyone who has made a significant contribution around your softball club or association, then please view the full criteria and access the nomination form below.

Nominations open: Monday 12 August 2024

Nominations close: Friday 14 September 2024

Click HERE for the nomination form. 

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.

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 individual has conducted themselves on and off the field, in a manner that would have them looked at as a role model with a distinguished career.

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. The Merle Short Service Award was subsequently named in her honour in 1993, and is 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, more than 100 volunteers have been recognised with the Merle Short Service award, honouring both the recipient and the award namesake.

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 an individual trophy is awarded to the most outstanding Victorian umpire of the year. For more information and to view past winners of this award follow this link.

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

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

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.

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 2022/23, with a focus on improving community / Association / State / National softball through encouraging participation, development, integrity and making softball more welcoming, safe and inclusive.

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.

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 2023/24, with a focus on improving community softball through encouraging participation, development, integrity and making softball more welcoming, safe and inclusive.

Click HERE for the nomination form.