Liam Phillips
GAWLER will be inundated with the state’s best young softballers in a three-day tournament next month at Karbeethan Reserve, with more than 500 athletes and family members expected to attend.
After last hosting the Junior State Softball Championships in 2003, action is set to kick off again on February 21.
Gawler and Districts Softball Association secretary, and spokeswoman, Sally Green, said that it was contacted in hopes of hosting last year, but needed 12 months to address all hosting criteria.
“It’s all the juniors, so under-12’s, 14’s, 16’s and 18’s age groups,” Green said.
“So it’s a big impact on Gawler with all of those people looking for accommodation, places to eat, and places to visit while they’re here.
“The Friday night will be the more local teams, like Elizabeth and Gawler, and then on Saturday and Sunday there will be games all day against teams from places like Berri, and Mount Barker.
“There’s no charge to come to Karbeethan and watch; it’ll be a great weekend.”
Much of the heavy lifting has already been taken care of, but Green is still searching for local sponsors and catering as the Karbeethan Reserve canteen may be overrun.
“It does cost a lot of money,” Green said.
“We’ve got a lot of outlay to get food, and drinks, and even things like shades that we’re hoping a local business could potentially supply.”
While the GDSA have been tasked with finding its own sponsors and making the tournament financially viable, the local council has stepped in to provide some financial assistance and facilities for the athletes.
“The Gawler Council's supporting us in a big way, they've been really good,” Green said.
“They're giving us access to the local pool for the participants and officials and things like that.
“They're also helping out with preparing the grounds and making sure they're all ready to go, and some donations in support of hygiene and things like that.”
If you would like to sponsor the 2020 State Softball Championships in any capacity, contact Sally Green on 0400 493 249.