A note to all members from the 2021/22 Season

Over the last few weeks, as an association we have continued to look at ways in which we can play Softball this season, in a safe way that benefits all of you as members as well as enables us to enjoy the sport that we all love so much. If it’s not COVID, Mother Nature has certainly stepped in and contributed to what has been one of the wettest seasons we have had on record and subsequently stopped us from playing. We would also share this same sentiment to our neighboring associations who have had to cancel their seasons as well and feel for the broader Softball community at this time.

Last night, the CNSA Executive met with all clubs in our competition to discuss what we were to do with the remainder of the season and what that would mean for you as members. Please note that as a collective group the following decisions have been made unanimously by all.

Saturday Competition
Due to the ongoing rain forecast, council grounds being closed currently and the inability for our grounds crew to dry out all diamonds needed for a Saturday competition we are cancelling the remainder of the Saturday competition. 
We have looked to explore opportunities to play this in April and beyond and determined this is not possible due to commitments to Winter Sports, many CNSA members participating in other Softball competitions on offer. 
In full transparency, CNSA is currently listed as the back up option for the U10 State Championships this weekend. We have 3-4 diamonds that may be playable for this, however this is not enough to complete a Saturday competition for our association, added it still may not be dry enough for this. 

Over 35s – Wednesday Night
The O35 competition will continue until 10 rounds are reached. CNSA has discussed this with the clubs that participate in this competition and all are in acceptance.

Men’s – Friday Night
•    Men’s will continue until 10 weeks.

Draws for both these competitions will be circulated in the coming days and we will work with clubs on any further wet weather contingency.

Other information for members
CNSA has received feedback from some members regarding a refund or financial token due to the season not being fulfilled. Whilst traditionally this has not been done, it has been a tough two years for all of us and as discussed with our clubs can confirm the following. NOTE: CNSA is yet to invoice clubs so any discount, reduction in fees listed below will need to be arranged through your individual club.

Financial Changes
•    CNSA will pro rata the umpiring levy and only apply this for games played
•    CNSA will not collect 2nd and 3rd game fees
•    A discount will be applied to 2022/2023 registrations for all returning players from both 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. This will assist with those who were affected via COVID and then this year with weather.

It is important to note that CNSA does continue to have operating costs, ground hire, electricity, registration fees, maintenance etc. that are all still required to be paid whether we play 1 or 10 games 
We will as an association continue to ensure that we seek financial opportunities e.g., grants though any further reduction in fees will be taken into consideration for the 2022/2023 season.

Other offerings
To assist in continued Softball Participation, in the lead up to the next season we can confirm that we will also offer
•    A new pilot program for 4- to 7-year-olds being run with Softball Australia and NSW – A discount on the program for CNSA kids who attend who were registered in 20/21/22.
•    We will hold a Fully Loaded Competition (6 weeks+1 week final) across June/July 2022, free for current season members that will be targeted at Youth, Youth Mixed and Seniors. More information to come.

We understand that the news of cancelling our Saturday competition, may displease some of our members, though we are tied in terms of what we can do with the weather. CNSA is in its 50th year this year and whilst the start of the year has not been what we would have expected, it saddens us to have even had to contemplate this announcement today and we know that we will bounce back as a Softball community to ensure our season next year brings us much more Softball, fun and friendships. Your commitment to our sport is next to none and we hope that through the weather, COVID or anything else you come back.