Redcliffe’s Talobilla Park in Brisbane is to host the 2027 women’s softball world cup as the sport prepares for its return to the Olympic Games.
Eight countries will compete in the Cup finals which is returning to Australian soil for the first time since the first 1965 world championships.
The announcement was made at the Redcliffe Surf Lifesaving Club today (Wednesday).
It was attended by World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) boss president Riccardo Fraccari, who flew in from Switzerland. (Also present was Margaret Swan, a member of the victorious Australian women’s 1965 side, from Victoria.)
The WBSC says the next World Cup will be important as they want to be part of the 2032 Games.
“The next World Cup will be very crucial. The attention of the world will be here,” he points out.
He sees the 2027 Redcliffe finals as the “next step” for inclusion at the Brisbane Games.
The sport was dropped from the 2024 Paris Games but included in the LA Games due to its popularity in the US, Japan and other countries.
Fraccari says the confederation is “thrilled” by the choice of Redcliffe as host of its flagship event of international women’s softball.
BOOST FOR REDCLIFFE
To be held at Talobilla Park, Kippa-Ring, from April 5-11, 2027, a $4.8 million clubhouse and 5000-seat temporary grandstand will be built.
The facilities will be used by the 700+ members of the Redcliffe Leagues Softball Association.
Joint funding for the work is coming from council and the federal government.
Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh says her sport has an “excellent” case for inclusion in 2032.
“We, as baseball and softball, have a massive global appeal. We are going to help sell a lot of tickets and bring a lot of spectators to our ground,” she says.
Loh also points out that they do not require completely new venues.
“I think the benefit for baseball and softball is that we haven’t asked for a new venue; we haven’t asked for completely new venues.”
She says they have investor interest in building what they need, a point not lost on the Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells.
OLYMPICS INCLUSION
Wells says it will take another 12 months to confirm the final list of sports for the 2032 Games when venues can be allocated.
“It is important to note that with additional sports outside the 28 core sports, those costs have to be borne by the host,” she says.
“That’s why Sarah makes some very good observations with regards to commercial interest in particular sports.”
Wells says LA may have six extra sports but believes that number will fall for 2032.
“I don’t expect that we’ll have that many but those decisions will be made over the next 12 months,” she says.
Qld Sports Minister Tim Mander says softball has a strong case for 2032 inclusion.
NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL: Click here for a short video from the day.
“I know softball has a very strong argument to be included back in the games. They’ve been in five games already,” he says.
“Lots of different sports are trying to be in that space,” he says of Olympic status.
“100,000 people play softball in Australia … we want to make sure that that participation rate goes even higher.”
LOCAL BENEFITS
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery predicts the hosting rights will help lift local participation, create more than 10,500 overnight visitors and add $6.3 million to the local economy.
Then there is a global TV audience reach of around 60 million people and a similar social media reach, he adds.
“The influx of visitors and global attention on our City will support our push for more hotel investment ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Flannery says.
“We’d love to see softball part of the 2032 Games, and we are investigating how we can support their push for inclusion in the sports program.”
As part of winning the hosting rights for the 2027 final, Queensland will host national championships in the lead up to the Games.
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