It is with regret that Softball Victoria announces the resignation of our Board President, Kyle Johnson, who has decided to step down from his role for personal reasons. On behalf of the Softball Victoria Board, Staff, and Softball Australia, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Kyle for his 3 years of dedicated service. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavors. 

We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Sharni Arthur as the new Board President, with Matt Forbes assuming the role of Chairperson. Both Sharni and Matt bring with them extensive experience and valuable insight from their time on the Softball Victoria Board. Together, they are eager to lead Softball Victoria into this exciting new chapter, continuing to support and grow the sport across the state.

We look forward to the future under their leadership and are confident that their vision will further enhance the success and growth of Softball Victoria. 

Thank you for your continued support.

Softball Victoria (SV) is the State Sporting Body for softball in Victoria that governs and administers the sport on behalf of its 16 member associations.

Operating since 1942, SV has a base of 16 member associations, over 45 clubs and has strong representation in primary and secondary schools across the State (consisting of over 20,000 participants annually) via a partnership with School Sports Victoria.

SV supports associations to deliver junior, senior, social and elite level softball and organises eleven State tournaments each year, covering both men’s and women’s events for Opens, Masters, U18, U16, U14 and U12 competitions.

SV also competes nationally at championships for men and women in Opens, Over 35, U23, U18, U16 and U14 categories.

In 2021, Softball Victoria joined the One Softball Australia model, allowing SV to benefit from Softball Australia’s strategic plans and resources focused on national participation growth and operational synergies.

Softball Victoria’s Vision is to have more people positively connecting with softball, in more places, more often.

Softball Victoria’s Purpose is for the softball community to work together to enable all Victorians to engage with softball in meaningful and positive ways; and to address the barriers preventing this.

Non-Executive Director

Work with an established board, State Operations Manager and small team who are committed to delivering great softball experiences to all associations, clubs and participants to support the continued growth of the sport. The role is a voluntary position.

SV Director duties include operating in line with the requirements of:

• SV Constitution 
• SV Board Charter 
• Board member code of conduct 

Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities a Board member includes but is not limited to:

• Actively undertake the work of the Board
• Attend and participate at board meetings, having read and considered the relevant papers
• Become knowledgeable about issues in sport and softball and the business and regulatory environment, without becoming involved in the day-to-day management
• Be supportive of the public events at which Board Member presence is desirable
• Respect the confidentiality of Board meetings and proceedings
• Identify and declare the nature and extent where there is any possible conflicts of interest and remove themselves from any relevant decision process
• Read, understand and comply with the Code of Conduct for Board Members

 Additionally, the Board as a whole, has group responsibility to provide advice and oversight to the operations of Softball Victoria

Board Composition

Achievement or otherwise of the goals articulated in the Softball Victoria strategic plan requires that the Board has competence over a range of disciplines.  Additionally, to function effectively the Board requires a range of personal characteristics. 

Softball Victoria should actively engage with its members to ensure that the Board is populated with persons so as to provide a range of knowledge, skills, experience and gender balance across the following areas:

• Sporting community, culture and networks
• Softball knowledge
• Commerce, investment and finance
• Information systems and technology
• Legal
• Marketing, promotion and public relations
• Human Resources

Desirable Skills/Experience

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable but not essential:

• Legal background or qualifications.
• Finance and accounting knowledge or qualifications.
• Board experience.

To ensure the independence of the Board, persons undertaking operational roles should not hold a position on the Softball Victoria Board.

Nominations

Nominations are sought from persons from both within and outside of the Softball community who are interested and willing to contribute to the Board of Softball Victoria as an Elected Director. 

Further information about the role of Director can be obtained by contacting the Softball Victoria office via jo.schutt@softball.org.au 

Submit your Expression of Interest letter, along with any other material thought relevant, to:

Jo Schutt
State Operations Manager
Softball Victoria
Jo.schutt@softball.org.au 

Deadline: 5pm Thursday 17 April, 2025

VIEW PROFILES OF CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS HERE