Tokyo Olympics: Australian softball team named after 13-year wait

Australia’s softball team has been named for the Tokyo Games, after a long 13-year wait to be back on the Olympic Diamond.

If there was one team to take the postponed Tokyo Games in their stride it was Australia’s softballers – after all, what’s one more year when you’ve already waited 12 to be back on the Olympic Diamond?

The Aussie Spirit named their 15-woman squad on Thursday from their base in Ota City, Gunma prefecture, about 80 kilometres outside of Tokyo where they have been playing a series of matches against professional teams.

Our softball players were the first Aussie athletes to arrive in Japan, arriving a month ago, heading over early as they have barely played together since qualifying in 2019.

Aussie Spirit softball team named for Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Supplied, Softabll Australia.

If this was not the only challenge, our softballers were the first international team a cautious Japanese public have welcomed in and their every step is watched closely by Japanese media.

For now, the team can only travel from their hotel to the stadium.

At their hotel three floors have been allocated to the team for exclusive use, two for sleeping and the third floor for a mess room, gym, and lounge.

Experienced catcher Belinda White, Australia’s rock behind the home plate, said the reception from the locals had warmed the longer they had been in camp.

“There was some hesitation at first, we were the first international team coming in, and naturally they were concerned about us following Covid protocols,” the 32-year-old said.

“But they’ve seen us social distancing and wearing masks, and the feedback has been they now feel comfortable with us here.

Australian women's softballers, including Belinda White, front, celebrate qualifiing for the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Supplied, Softball Australia.

“We use the service elevator between floors, and we just stick to our floors.

“In a way we were the crash test bunnies for the Aussie Olympic team but we really wanted to show and reassure the people of Japan that if we follow the protocols, it can work.”

Under Covid rules, athletes undergo a daily PCR test (where they must provide saliva to be analysed), temperature checks, face masks are worn constantly and the team was fully vaccinated prior to arrival.

“It’s actually easier than we thought ... we have been waiting for more than a decade to get the chance to play so there’s nothing we wouldn’t do to keep the Games safe and getting out there,” White said.

The Tokyo Olympics are important not just to White but to the sport itself, it isn’t played at every Games and this is the first time since 2008 that it has been on the program.

It won't be played in Paris 2024.

Belinda White celebrates after being part of the Australian team that qualified for the Olympics. Picture: Supplied, Softball Australia.

Australia has won a medal every time the sport has been played at the Games, having previously won one silver and three bronze medals.

White said: “We’ve waited so long for this moment and now it’s like I want time to slow down and to kick off the Olympic program against Japan is a massive honour.”

Australia will play Japan in the opening game of the Olympic program two days before the official start of the Opening Ceremony.

In a nod to the sport’s popularity, there is great expectation from the host country to deliver gold.

In 2008, pitcher Yukiko Ueno threw 400 pitches in 28 innings over two days to defeat Australia in the semi-final and then the USA in the gold-medal game to stop a 22-game winning streak for the Americans in the Olympics.

And Ueno, who turns 39 during the Games, is back on the mound again.

“Japan as the host country are under more pressure than us and Ueno is just an inspiration,” white said.

“We weren’t sure whether she was going to go around another year when it got postponed.

“She’s not so young ... but she is an icon. I grew up hearing her name and now I get the chance to face off against her and I can’t wait.

“I am just so excited to be here and part of this team.

“The Olympics are such a big event - it’s not just about sport.

“ The Games bring joy all over the world and we now how tough it’s been around the world for everyone with the pandemic ... but life can still happen and things can still go on.”

Dual Olympic medallist Stacey Porter will captain the team, with the 39-year-old the only team member to have competed at an Olympics.

Australian softball team is: Michelle Cox, Chelsea Forkin, Leigh Godfrey, Rachel Lack, Stacey McManus, Leah Parry, Kaia Parnaby, Gabrielle Plain, Stacey Porter, Ellen Roberts, Tarni Stepto, Taylah Tsitsikronis, Jade Wall, Clare Warwick, Belinda White.

Originally published as Tokyo Olympics: Australian softball team named after 13-year wait