Following the launch of Baseball5 at the 2019 SportAccord Gold Coast convention, and the subsequent introduction to the schools in the region, Baseball5 is now added among the available programmes within “Sporting Schools” national government fund.
Baseball Australia CEO Cam Vale is firmly convinced that Baseball5 will drive the national baseball movement to new heights, “Baseball5 is a fun, fast-paced game and with limited barriers to playing lends itself to being a popular option for children through Sporting Schools and also in their own time”
As part of the five-week Sporting Schools program students will be introduced to the four key skills of Baseball5 – throwing, catching, hitting and running – through a range of mini games. “Sporting Schools will allow Baseball5 in Australia to reach new heights,” Vale said. “It is also a significant boost to baseball because both junior and primary school students will now be introduced to our great sport. “We’re thrilled to target a new demographic as we roll Baseball5 out into secondary schools early next year.” Read Baseball Australia press release.
Baseball in Australia has been growing at a steady pace in participation and international results with the nation improving its position from 14th to 7th in the WBSC Baseball Ranking in the last five years and to 6th place in the WBSC Women’s Baseball Ranking.
Australian Baseball owes part of its recent success also to the Australian Professional Baseball League that is able to attract foreign talent and develop national young prospects.
According to Australian Government official website, “Sporting Schools” is a $240 million Australian Government initiative designed to help schools to increase children's participation in sport, and to connect them with community sporting opportunities. Sporting Schools programs are provided free to children and their families to help students build the confidence and capability to be active for life. Since Sporting Schools started in 2015, over 7,000 schools have received funding. This has provided more than five million participant opportunities to get students active, engaged and having fun while sampling a variety of different sports. Read more.
