REGISTER NOW: (Upcoming)

School Holiday Youth Camps

WSA will be hosting single-day school holiday programs at different locations throughout the region. These camps are focused on teaching youth softball players the skills of our game through an engaging fun-focused program. The program will run from 9am-3pm with drop-off beginning as early as 8:30am. We will have a break for morning tea / snacks  mid-morning, as well as a 30-45 minute break for lunch. Please note that athletes must bring their own food/snacks/water and are not allowed to leave the field to go to the shops for lunch. 


Dates & Locations:

Thursday, 28 Sept – Alex Moore (Johnsonville)

Wednesday, 4 Oct – Hataitai (Wellington City)

Thursday, 5 October – Ngati Toa (Porirua)

Cost: $20


Rainout Information:

Please note that in event of a rain-out, the camp will be cancelled or postponed to another school holiday date. Please be sure the email listed is correct and up-to-date. Any weather-related cancellations will be communicated via email and/or text. If the event is cancelled or you are unable to make the new date, a partial refund (less transaction fees) will be issued.

REGISTER NOW!


2023 Regional Development Clinics

The WSA Regional Development Camps are skill-driven learning opportunities that are open to athletes looking to learn game-ready skills prior to season kick-off. This year, the Regional Development Camps will be hosted on multiple weekends throughout the pre-season, with each date focused on a specific skill.

SUNDAY RDC-

3 Sept - Defense - Overhand Throwing, Infield & Outfield (Location: Ngati Toa, Porirua)

10 Sept - Offense 1 - Hitting Mechanics + Baserunning (Location: Hatiati, Diamond 1)

8 Oct - Offense 2 - Hitting Approach + Short Game (Location: Ngati Toa, Porirua)

Cost: $25 per session, or all 3 sessions for $70

All Sunday sessions will run as follows:

     o U13 – 9:00am-11:30am

     o U15 – 11:45am-2:15pm

     o U17/U19 – 2:45pm-5:15pm

REGISTER NOW!




​​​​​​​HAPPENING NOW:

Pre-Season Pitching Academy

Registration Deadline: August 16th

The Pre-Season Pitching Academy is aimed to provide small-group skill instruction for pitchers looking to tune-up and dial-in their skills before we kick off the 2023/2024 summer season. The program will focus on reiterating the foundational skills every pitcher needs: mechanics, movement pattern prep, accuracy, power, and more. 

Pitchers are HIGHLY encouraged to bring along a catcher to these sessions.

The program includes five total sessions (one evaluation session, followed by four training sessions) that will take place every other Monday, beginning August 21st and concluding October 16thThe evaluation will help to group the pitchers in an appropriate learning environment that will best suit their individual needs. As part of the evaluation, pitchers will run through a warm up, demonstrate their current mechanics, pitches, and ability to throw to location. As part of the evaluation, each pitcher will receive feedback and a recommended placement for which program will best suit their individual needs.

Dates: Aug 21st (evaluations - timeslots tbd on registrations), Sept 4th, Sept 18th, Oct 2nd, Oct 16th

Location: Hataitai - WFC Green Room (located next to Hataitai Diamond 2)

Times: Please note that times will vary based on session placement following Week 1 assessment, but all sessions will take place between the hours 5:30pm – 8:00pm on the dates listed.

Program Placements:

Foundations: Mechanics, Movement Prep, Accuracy

            The Foundations course is meant to build our pitchers from the ground up- focusing on drills and skills that will help improve mechanics, create a better understanding of the pitching motion, and increase accuracy. This program is suitable for pitchers of all ages that are looking to improve their pitching.

            Following assessments, Foundations pitchers session time will be 5:30pm-6:45pm.

Progressions: Power Patterning, Spin Development, Pitch Sequencing

            The Progressions course is focused on upskilling advanced-level pitchers that have developed mechanics and are already capable of consistent pitch placement. The Progressions sessions will be focusing on drills and skills that will address pitcher-specific strength needs, develop spin/movement, and dial-in on consistent accuracy. This program is suitable for established pitchers that are looking to take their game to the next-level.

            Following assessments, Progressions pitchers session time will be 6:45pm-8:00pm.


Wellington Representative Development Program

This is an on-going preseason program that is designed to offer additional training opportunities open to any players interested in trailing for a Wellington Representative team in the ‘23/’24 season- U17, U19. As part of the program, athletes will have access to bi-monthly indoor preseason training opportunities, mental skills sessions, and school-holiday training camps. The purpose of this program is to help athletes build their individual skillsets and have access to additional pre-season training opportunities.

Indoor Skills Sessions- Mondays, WFC Green Room (Next to Hataitai Diamond 2)

          Dates: Mondays- Aug 14, Aug 28, Sept 11, Sept 25, Oct 9

          Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm

5:30pm-7:15pm - All-Skills, 7:15pm-8:00pm - Pitchers + Catchers / "Open Gym"

14 August – Hitting: Mechanics Intro + Battery Development

28 August – Defense: Infield Focus + Battery Development

11 September – Hitting: Rhythm & Timing + Battery Development

25 September – Defense: Outfield Focus + Battery Development

9 October – Hitting: Vision, Pitch Selection & Shortgame + Battery Development


School-Holiday Training Camp: Will be scheduled between September 25th - October 6th (Tentative; Time/Location TBA)

Mental Training Sessions: Dates TBA, Hataitai Netball Pavilion (bi-weekly weeknight evenings)

Please note that these sessions are not related to the representative trials. This program is intended to support athlete skill development and will have no impact on the selection process.


​​​​​​​PROGRAMS COMING SOON:

Accelerator's Programme

(October 2023)

This programme is for those new to the sport or looking to develop their individual skill-sets. Delivering fundamentals for all aspects of the game and athletic movement development. Future preseason dates TBA! (October 2023)

Pitching & Catching Academy

(November 2023)

Pitching: This programme is aimed to help our pitchers continue to develop strength and accuracy throughout the season. We will work through some basic mechanics, location/accuracy, and building position-specific explosiveness and patterning.

Catching: This programme is focused on building our catchers from the ground-up. Catchers will drill and improve skills such as balance and mobility, stance, receiving, blocking, and throwdowns.   


If you have any questions, please reach out to development@wellingtonsoftball.org.nz.

Get to Know WSA Development Officer

Amber Schisler

​​​​​​​Amber is Wellington Softball's Development Officer.  Amber came to us from the University of San Diego where she was an assistant coach- where she served as the program's Battery Coach- working directly with the pitchers and catchers. Prior to her time at USD, Amber spent several years playing and coaching internationally. Most noteably, Amber served as an assitant coach for both the Austrian Junior and Senior Women's National Teams.

Amber attended Campbell University where she capped off her collegiate career as one of Campbell’s best, earning NFCA All-Region and CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, while rewriting the record books. Amber finished the year ranking in the top 10 for batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs, walks, and more. She also set a new NCAA record for the most consecutive plate appearances having reached base with 26, breaking the previous record set back in 2014.

Since joining WSA in September of 2022, Amber has lead programmes that have been delivered all accross the region including Pitching and Catching Academies, Regional Development Camps, new-player programmes, In-School Softball sessions, All-Girls winter Capital Stars sessions, and more. Amber also developed and lead WSA's first-ever Representative Development program, which through the support of Nuku Ora and Wellington City Council, provided athletes with an 8-week agility, strength, and movement program delivered by Centurion Athletic Performace and additional indoor, pre-season training opportunities.

Amber is looking forward to continuing to support the athletes, coaches, and wider softball community by offering consistent, assessible opportunities throughout Wellington.

Interested in having WSA Development host a clinic at your club?

Please reach out to Amber at development@wellingtonsoftball.org.nz.

Development Coaches Wanted!

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE

We are looking for coaches that would be interested in helping out at our upcoming summer development programs. If you are a coach that is interested in helping grow our youth and developing softball, please fill out the form above or reach out to Amber at development@wellingtonsoftball.org.nz