Sport
15 January, 2025
Softball eyes a Mount Isa revival
The Mount Isa Softball Association is hoping to see a return of senior competition in 2025.
Once a highly competitive sport with more than 600 members, softball in Mount Isa is in desperate need of a revival.
Karen Dredge, a stalwart of the Mount Isa Softball Association, hopes that begins on Sunday with the appointment of an enthusiastic committee.
She said getting senior softball back at Alexandra Park would be a priority in 2025.
“Over the last couple of years we’ve managed to get some juniors up and running,” she said.
“Had about 40 kids down there, which was lovely.
“In 2023 he also had about the same number of adults who came down for a social competition day.
“Last year, we weren’t as successful with the seniors, but we had about the same number of kids again, which was positive.”
Ms Dredge said MISA had tried to target the shoulder seasons of the more popular sports in town in a bid to attract more players.
“We ran short seasons earlier in the year and later in the year so they wouldn’t clash as much with soccer, rugby league and netball.”
Mount Isa has a proud softball history with a number of state and Australian representatives.
However, it has struggled in the last decade, like a lot of senior sports in Mount Isa.
“I think it’s the shift work – the seven-on, seven-off – that’s causing the problems with all competitions in Mount Isa,” Ms Dredge told North West Weekly.
“It’s not just softball.”
One of the challenges facing the sport is the lack of engagement in schools around Queensland, including Mount Isa.
Softball was once a staple in all schools but is now barely sighted.
“You just need one teacher who has an interest in the sport to take it up and introduce it to kids,” Ms Dredge said.
While MISA handed back the keys of Alexandra Park to Mount Isa City Council, the association remains in good financial shape.
“We’ve got our AGM at the Mount Isa Irish Club on Sunday at 11am and we’d love for anyone with an interest in keeping softball alive in Mount Isa to show up and put their hand up to be on the committee,” Ms Dredge said.
“Our president makes the trip up from Cloncurry because he has such a strong interest in keeping the sport going in the region.”
Anyone wanting more information can email the MISA at mountisasoftball@hotmail.com