Stacey Porter Australian Softball Interview

Stacey Porter Australian Softball Interview

Late last year the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee announced the proposal of eighteen additional events from five sports to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 games.

The diamond sports of softball and baseball led the way, with karate, surfing, skateboarding and climbing sports being selected. The proposed events represent the traditional and emerging, youth-focused events, all of which are popular in Japan and worldwide.

Australian softball has a wonderful Olympic heritage with four medals from four Olympic games appearances in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. Collecting three bronze medals and a silver (2004), the Australian women's softball team, Aussie Spirit, is one of the top ranked teams, currently sitting at #3 in the world, behind only Japan and USA. The Aussie Spirit and the USA are the only teams to medal at all four Olympics where softball was featured. Four-time Olympian and medallist Tanya Harding comments on the prospect of softball returning to the Olympics in 2020.

'The Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport and I know it is a goal for many young Australian girls to see the sport reach the Games once again. Softball brings together nations and enables young women to showcase their craft. Softball is an incredible sport, played by some of the most talented athletes in the world – it deserves its place on the Olympic stage."

This is the first occasion where an organising committee has been given the unique opportunity to contribute to the design of the Olympic Program. The IOC will make the final decision on whether Softball will once again be included, at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

'Olympic re-entry will be a great opportunity for our national women's team to again participate and excel in their chosen sport on the biggest competition stage in the world. It will inspire future generations of young women to look to softball as a serious, competitive sport that will enable them to fulfil their sporting dreams," added John Hollingsworth – Chairman, Softball Australia

Softball Australia is the national governing body for softball in Australia. They look out for the interests of all Softball associations, clubs and individual members, who play, coach, officiate and support Softball in Australia. Softball Australia would love the public to show their support in getting the Aussie Spirit back into the Olympics. Follow Softball Australia on social media to stay up to date with the Olympic campaign.

Interview with Stacey Porter

Question: What inspired you to begin playing softball?

Stacey Porter: My sister and mum played the sport so I would follow along & I loved it from the day I started. I was always into something active.


Question: What do you love most, about the game?

Stacey Porter: The competitiveness, the challenge and the success.

Question: What is involved in your position as team captain?

Stacey Porter: Not a lot really, I have a great bunch of girls to work with which makes my job very easy, but a little bit of motivating, I liaise with the coach and get messages across to the girls. That's about it really, like I said the girls are great at managing themselves.


Question: Can you give us an insight into your weekly training schedule?

Stacey Porter: Our weekly training schedule can change quite frequently but generally, we have 3 to 4 skills sessions, 2 gym sessions and 2 speed and conditioning sessions.


Question: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Stacey Porter: No actually I don't, I'm not too superstitious.


Question: You're are the 'world number 1 batter"; how does that feel?

Stacey Porter: I think this is a very broad statement. There are a lot of great hitters in the world who have moments when they are all number 1 so if considered in that group from time to time, then I'm honoured.


Question: What advice do you have for females interested in playing softball?
Stacey Porter: Softball is quite a difficult sport that failure is often considered competitive in our game. My advice to anyone playing our sport would be to work hard and train like no one is watching you. I think the people that go the furthest in our sport are the ones who genuinely love it and will do anything to get better.


Question: What would we find in your softball/gym bag?

Stacey Porter: Softball equipment, sunscreen, always a can of deodorant and always Allen's Lollies.


Question: What is your current softball goal?

Stacey Porter: To win gold at this years world championships in Vancouver in July.


Question: Where would we find you, on your day off?

Stacey Porter: Either at a shopping centre or at home relaxing on the couch watching Netflix.


Interview by Brooke Hunter