From the beginning… …1982?? That can’t be right??? Softball has been at Fawkner Park forever! Not quite, but since 1942 when a competition was established to cater for US troops who challenged our local nurses. Rebels and Posties were the first local teams and they went on to form, in December 1942, the Victorian Women’s Softball Association, later to be known as Victorian Amateur Softball Council of Victoria, then Victorian Softball Association Inc and now Softball Victoria.
Whilst this competition was based at The Domain and/or Fawkner Park the Victorian Women’s Softball Association was also responsible for developing softball throughout Victoria. Culminating over time in twenty four affiliated Associations being established around the state, commencing with Ballarat, Geelong, Horsham, Albury and Sunshine, concluding with Keilor Park.
In 1982 it was agreed that the Melbourne Softball Association should be formed as an affiliated association and the Victorian Softball Association should be representative of all Associations throughout Victoria. Softball at Fawkner Park has a wealth of history that you, someone you know or someone in the wider community may have been part of.
You can read the rest of the story in the memento booklet put together to commemorate 25 years of the Melbourne Softball Association.
MSA 25th Anniversary Memento Booklet