Wellington Regional Development Camps

WSA are excited to announce that we will be hosting some Regional Development Programme camps for our U13s, U15s, and U17-19s age groups through the month of September and October.

The U13s programme will be lead and delivered by Christchurch based baller Lindsay Thomas, who lead our first U15 Regional Development camp earlier in the year!

The U15s and U17-19s will then be run and lead by a very special coach that we have travelling in from America. Please keep your eyes peeled for her announcement shortly!

The camps will give participants the opportunity to develop as overall athletes. Participants will take part in sessions throughout the programme that focus on the following:

  • Technical/Tactical softball skills
  • Mental skills
  • Intro to umpiring
  • Nutrition
  • Strength & Conditioning

Dates for camps and the specific ages groups can be found below:

  1. Under 13 Camp – 10th-11th September 9am-3:30pm both days
  2. Under 17/19 Camp – 8th-9th October 9am-3:30pm both days
  3. Under 15 Camp – 15th-16th October 9am-3:30pm both days

Camp Locations:

  1. U17/19's- Polo Ground (both days)
  2. U15's- Sat. 15-Oct: Velodrome, Sun. 16-Oct: Polo Ground

Costs for the programmes will be $70 for both days. This cost includes lunch provided on both days as well as the cost of grounds hireage. It also allows us to provide some Koha to all the coaches that will be helping with the programme.

If you are an aspiring coach, or a local coach looking for an opportunity to work with some of our most experienced coaches within the region, please register your interest here to help and learn from the programme.

To register for the programme please click the link here which will take you through to the Sporty Registrations and payment site - https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/202992

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Will Zhou – manager@wellingtonsoftball.org.nz

Coaching Staff

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. Prior to that she was in Austria where she was on the coaching staff for the Womens National team and junior national programme.

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.

Wayne Nichols

Wayne is an ex Wellington and Black Sox representative player and has had many years of coaching at all levels of the game, male, female, junior, senior, club, representative, national and international. He is the ex-assistant coach for the Junior Black Sox, White Sox and Under 15 Boys Development Sox and the current Head Coach of the U15 Boys Development Sox. He brings extensive and up to date knowledge of current coaching best practice and player development.  Wayne has a Bachelor of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Resource Teaching Learning and Behaviour.  He is looking forward to assisting WSA in establishing this Academy for future softballers in the Greater Wellington area

Glen Roff

Glen  played for Christchurch United Devils (two time National Club Champions) and was part of the gold medal team at the Under 19 World Series in 1989 and played for the Black Sox in 1991.  After he retired from playing he then ventured into the world of coaching and spent seven seasons in Europe pursuing this.  He spent these seasons in Denmark (1), Italy (2) and the Netherlands (4) and he describes this as a life changing experience which allowed him to see Softball in a different light while gaining invaluable experience.  Glen also coached the Danish Men's team at the 2000 World Series, Great Britain at the 2004 World Series and won the Italian Cup with Forli in 2006.  Closer to home, Glen coached Premier 1 Women at Newlands and also the Wellington Women's NFC team.  We're extremely glad to have Glen back in the coaching fold to help our youth.

Philippa Ormsby

Philippa started playing softball as a youngster, playing for Broadway right through to the Prem 1 level. She switched to Miramar, playing for them during their very successful 90’s era. Philippa played in every age grade Wellington Team, and won a National title with the NPC Women before making the switch to coaching and collecting National titles at the Under 23 and Under 15 Levels. She travelled to Oklahoma City to play for the Junior White Sox and continued travelling later on as a Coach. Philippa has been on the Coaching Staff for 3 National Teams, spending 4 years coaching in Europe, as Head Coach for Sweden, and then Austria, both teams winning promotion to the prestigious A Division in Europe. Then Assistant Coach for the Junior White Sox in 2007. Having a few years off to produce 3 more little softball players, Philippa is now loving the new challenge of Coaching Under 15 Girls and being part of the Wellington Development Programme. Philippa has a Degree in Physical Education, and a Diploma in Teaching.

Alex Hill (mental Skills)

Alex is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with a Masters in Forensic Psychology. She currently works at the Department of Corrections; where she works with men and women to help them reduce their risk of reoffending and manage their mental wellbeing. Alex's skills in therapy generalise to the sports field and varying age groups. For example, she has experience in helping people build their self confidence, how to manage anxiety, and problem solve in high pressure environments. Alex takes a holistic view on health. She is passionate about fitness and the psychological impact that sports and physical exercise can bring.