Softball in Mackay is booming, with young athletes making a significant impact on the national stage. Rising stars like 14-year-old Evie Grace, who recently competed with the Queensland development squad in New Zealand, are hitting the ground running on their path to success.
“It’s good to get to know girls from other countries and get to know more people in Queensland,” Evie shared, adding that the experience involved “a lot of hard work” but she enjoyed building friendships along the way.
Evie’s team placed second at nationals in Perth and she’s now looking forward to the next challenge.
“I’m looking forward to doing Perth again,” she said, also sharing her excitement for being selected as a reserve for the U15 World Cup in Italy.
16-year-old Jackson Maluga is another standout softball star.
“I’ve been playing it since I was basically born,” Jackson said, reflecting on his journey to multiple Queensland and Australian teams over the years.
Jackson’s proudest achievement was pitching for both the under-16 and under-18 teams, winning nationals a week apart. His dedication to the sport is clear as he trains six days a week, with professional aspirations in sight.
Meanwhile, 12-year-old Connor Doolan is one of the youngest to make the Queensland team and advises other young players to “follow what you want, and don’t give up.”
Coach Murray Rivers, with over 50 test matches of experience coaching Queensland and Australian teams, speaks highly of the young talent emerging in Mackay.
“I see some amazing young talent here,” Murray said, highlighting players like Evie, who worked hard to become the best pitcher in her league.
He describes softball as a quick, physical sport that demands athletes be in peak condition.
His advice for newcomers is to "Just come down and have a watch first—it’s a great game, and you'll want to give it a try."
Rising stars Evie Grace (14), Jackson Maluga (16), and Connor Doolan (12) are among a growing group of softball athletes in the region aiming to make their mark on the international stage. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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