Mayor congratulates Australian Women’s Softball Team on winning Bronze in Beijing
The Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM congratulated the Australian Women's Softball Team, the 'Aussie Spirit' on winning bronze on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 during Council's Ordinary meeting.
"Blacktown City residents Stacey Porter, Melanie Roche and Simmone Morrow were all part of the bronze winning team that were narrowly defeated by eventual Gold Medalists Japan", Mayor Kelly said.
"This bronze medal is the fourth consecutive medal for the Australian Softball Team with the team winning bronze medals in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000, and the silver in Athens in 2004".
Local Glenwood resident Melanie Roche, together with Team Captain Natalie Ward and Tanya Harding became the first Australian women in history to win medals at four consecutive Olympic Games.
Both the Australian and Japanese Softball teams undertook some of their critical pre Olympic training at Blacktown Olympic Park, with both teams competing on the world-class diamonds at the International Challenge in April this year.
"We are proud that we could assist these outstanding athletes in the lead up to Beijing by providing a base for them to train at a venue that holds fond memories from the Sydney 2000 Games and is maintained to International standards by a dedicated team of ground staff".
"As Mayor of Blacktown City I extend congratulations to Stacey, Melanie and Simmone on their efforts in Beijing and wish them every success in their future sporting endeavours" Mayor Kelly concluded.
Council also resolved at its Council meeting on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 to write to the Australian Olympic Commission to urge the reinstatement of Softball as an Olympic competition sport for the Games that will follow the 20012 Games to be held in London as the 2008 Games was the last year Softball was included as an Olympic sport.