01 April 2026
Women's Preview: Can New South Wales defend their gold medal?
The Australian Women’s and Youth Women’s Championships begin April 12.
Eric Balnar is previewing both New South Wales teams ahead of the tournament.
Follow along the action, grab more previews, rosters and schedules at www.baseball.com.au/awc2026.
PREVIEW: NSW looks to go back-to-back
New South Wales enter the 2026 Australian Women’s Championship as the team to beat.
You earn that right when you have a Gold Medal around your neck.
They are the defending champions. They return the core of a title-winning roster. And despite a few changes, the expectation inside the program has not shifted.
“NSW should be competing in the Gold Medal game every year. That is how I view success for this program,” head coach Laura Neads said.
If they win Gold, they’ll become the first back-to-back champions since 2016 when New South Wales won three-in-a-row. It just goes to show how hard it is to double down.
The spine of last year’s championship team remains intact.
Claire O’Sullivan returns after a dominant 2025 campaign that saw her named tournament MVP. One of the premier two-way players in the country, the Emerald, Japanese national champion and WPBL player provides both leadership and production on either side of the ball.
“Calm leadership through Claire O’Sullivan,” said Needs, pointing to her influence within the group.
She is part of a lineup stacked with high-end talent.
Ticara Geldenhuis, the highest drafted Australian in the WPBL, headlines the next wave of elite players, while Maddi Erwin adds another professional arm into the pitching mix.
Behind the plate, Emerald catcher Maddi Heath provides stability and consistency, both defensively and at bat.
“Maddi Heath is really solid behind the plate defensively and consistently producing at bat,” said Breanna Green.
The identity is clear.
“It’s a strong offense. We have some incredibly powerful hitters in our line up who can do some serious damage on their day,” said Neads.
That confidence is echoed within the group.
“We love to hit,” O’Sullivan said.
At full strength, this is a lineup built almost entirely from national champions, Emeralds representatives, and now multiple WPBL professionals.
But what may separate this NSW side from previous years is what is coming through.
Tamryn Love joins the senior squad after a dominant AYWC campaign, including a no-hitter against Victoria last year.
She arrives with confidence, experience, and a track record of performing on big stages.
“Our team is very strong, we have both a lot of experience and young talent coming through,” Love said.
Ivy White also steps up after winning the Golden Glove at youth level, while Emily Ninnes adds another arm into the pitching depth as she transitions into the open ranks.
“Proud of some of our youth players like Tamryn Love, Emily Ninnes and Ivy White making the jump up into the women’s NSW team,” Neads said.
That blend of experience and youth has been a deliberate focus.
“Balancing the experience with the youth and providing opportunities for those who have earned it,” Neads said.
There is one notable absence, with Maddie McGuire sidelined through injury, but the depth across the roster helps absorb that loss.
On the mound, NSW again look well equipped.
Mackenzie Jackson returns after coming close to claiming the Golden Arm in 2025, while O’Sullivan’s ability to take on innings adds another layer. Across the staff, there is both volume and versatility.
“There is a lot of depth within the roster with a lot of versatility in the field and pitching,” Lisa Nakashio said.
Beyond talent, there is also cohesion.
“Our biggest strength is how we’ve developed both physically and mentally as a team. We’re well prepared, connected, and working together,” Green said.
That connection is part of a broader culture within the program, one that continues to produce talent year after year.
“It’s great to see… the continual development of youth players coming in to the open women’s program,” Neads said.
And with that pipeline feeding into an already elite core, NSW appears to be evolving.
“NSW has a title to defend this year. We understand our goal,” Nakashio said.
The rest of the field is chasing.
PREVIEW: Can NSW get back to the medals in the AYWC?
New South Wales enter the 2026 Australian Youth Women’s Championship in a different position.
After missing the finals in each of the last two years, this is a program looking to return to the podium for the first time since 2023.
But the path there is not straightforward.
NSW have lost a significant group of talent to the next level. Ivy White, Tamryn Love and Emily Ninnes have all moved into the Opens squad, while Mariam Arifaki will suit up for the Roos. It is a major shift from last year’s roster.
“Key outs but they’re all players now in the Opens squad,” head coach Amy Saliba said, acknowledging the turnover.
With that change comes opportunity.
Lily Baxter steps into a bigger role behind the plate, replacing White after emerging as a leader through the Barclay Cup.
“I love catching because I feel as though I am able to control the field. And I get to work hard with not only my pitcher but my whole team,” Baxter said.
Heba Arifaki is another key addition, following in the footsteps of her older sister Mariam. A versatile player, she adds depth across the diamond and on the mound.
“Definitely pitching. I love trying my best striking out players with my curve ball,” Arifaki said.
But the headline name is perhaps Emma Gainsford.
Making her national championship debut, Gainsford arrives with one of the most impressive junior resumes in the country. She has played on the international stage at the Little League World Series level, dominated in boys competitions, and consistently performed in high-pressure environments.
“She’s had experience playing at high levels… we look forward to having her experience in pressure games and situations,” Saliba said.
Within the group, there is already strong belief in what she can bring.
“Emma Gainsford is a gamer, she has played in big tournaments and her energy is awesome,” Madison Forbes said.
Around her is a group that may be younger, but not short on confidence.
“We are a young fresh team who have gelled really well. I am excited to see how we go,” Forbes said.
It’s important to note that NSW has come out on top of each of the last two Little League Girls events, meaning the next wave of talent is coming, and already bonded together.
That cohesion has been a major focus in preparation.
“We want to be playing for one another, working for the person next to us, in front of us and behind us,” Saliba said.
Early signs suggest it is taking hold.
“The way we can work as a team really well because we all are like a family,” Baxter said.
NSW’s identity this year leans into versatility.
“We have many two-way players and a lot of players who give us a lot of depth,” Saliba said.
That depth extends to the mound, where multiple players are capable of contributing.
“Definitely pitching, almost every player can pitch,” Arifaki said.
There are also emerging names to watch.
Jessica Rosser looms as a potential breakout player in her final year, while Madison Forbes offers a reliable option on the mound in key moments.
“She’s got an arm, is very athletic and has a hot bat,” Saliba said.
Preparation has been thorough, with a strong focus on fundamentals, game awareness and execution under pressure.
“With fielding we’ve focused on making clean plays and knowing where the play is before each pitch… with batting we’ve focused on hitting line drives and having good quality at bats,” Saliba said.
And while results matter, the internal measure of success is broader.
“Success for us would be seeing and hearing strong communication… and seeing our strong team culture shine through,” Saliba said.
Still, the goal is clear.
“Of course, like any team, we are also striving to win and take home a medal.”
If the new pieces click and the young core rises to the moment, New South Wales could quickly move from rebuilding to contending.
READ MORE PREVIEWS VIA OUR TOURNAMENT HUB: www.baseball.com.au/awc2026.
