Esther Deason Shield

The Esther Deason Shield is a trophy symbolizing the Under 16 Women's Championship of the Australian Softball Federation. The shield is made of Jarrah, a distinctly Australian timber. Following the 1965 World Series conducted by the International Softball Federation (won by Australia), it was recognized that Australia needed to boost competition among young people. A development program was begun, and in 1970 the first national Under 16 competition was held in Perth. The winner was awarded the Esther Deason Shield, named after the most influential person in the development of Australian softball.
Esther Deason, MBE
Esther Deason gave most of her life to the development of Australian softball. She was instrumental in starting organized softball in Australia in 1947, and in holding the first true world softball championship in Australia in 1965. She was made a life member of ASF in 1965, and had a national trophy established in her name in 1970. She is a member of the ASF Hall of Fame, ISF Hall of Fame, and a Member of the British Empire. An engraved plaque with her portrait and a list of her achievements is on permanent display in the International section of the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum in Oklahoma City.
Previous individual award winners
1990
Most Valuable Player - Helen Brown (WA)
Pitching Award - Emma Housden (ACT)
Batting Award - Brooke Wilkins (NSW)

1991
Most Valuable Player - Natalie Ward (NSW)
Pitching Award - Claire Holloway (VIC)
Batting Award - Andrea Ling (VIC)

1992
Most Valuable Player - Kendal Leggett (WA)
Pitching Award - Leanne Tyler (QLD)
Batting Award - Kelly Miles (QLD)

1993
Most Valuable Player - Melinda Wright (NSW)
Pitching Award - Leigh Kenning (NSW)
Batting Award - Melanie Anderson (QLD)

1994
Most Valuable Player - Melanie Thomas (NSW)
Pitching Award - Leigh Kenning (NSW)
Batting Award - Janelle Underwood (TAS)

1995
Most Valuable Player - Adele Pajtl (NSW)
Pitching Award - Erin Lambert (NSW)
Batting Award - Kym Tollenaere (QLD)

1996
Most Valuable Player - Kylie Angland (VIC)
Pitching Award - Nicole Bacon (NSW)
Batting Award - Kylie Hansen (QLD)

1997
Most Valuable Player - Alissa Brabbin (NSW)
Pitching Award - Tanya Holodnow (NSW)
Batting Award - Stacey Porter (NSW)

1998
Most Valuable Player - Tegan Withell (NSW)
Pitching Award - Zara Mee (NSW)
Batting Award - Stacey Porter (NSW)

1999
Most Valuable Player - Kelly Usher (NSW)
Pitching Award - Stacey Ritter (NSW)
Batting Award - Rachel Duhigg (NSW)

2000
Most Valuable Player - Amy Manifold (SA)
Pitching Award - Chermai Clews (WA)
Batting Award - Anita Trezona-White (WA)

2001
Most Valuable Player - Lauren Williams (NSW)
Pitching Award - Jacinta Fitzsimmons (NSW)
Batting Award - Georgie Shannon (QLD)

2002
Most Valuable Player - Stephanie Hunt (QLD)
Pitching Award - Sarah Abrahams (NSW)
Batting Award - Janelle Cocks (VIC)

2003
Most Valuable Player - Justine Smethurst (VIC)
Pitching Award - Kristen Wadwell (NSW)
Batting Award - Carolyn James (VIC)

2004
Most Valuable Player - Ashleigh Hansen (NSW)
Pitching Award - Sarah Bradley (NSW)
Batting Award - Erin McGinty (NSW)

2005
Most Valuable Player - Leigh Godfrey (WA)
Pitching Award - Kaia Parnaby (NSW)
Batting Award - Ashleigh Hansen (NSW)

2006
Most Valuable Player - Kara Murphy (NSW)
Pitching Award - Kaia Parnaby (NSW)
Batting Award - Erin Thras (Qld)

2007
Most Valuable Player - Abigail Priolo (Qld)
Pitching Award - Simone Freeman (NSW)
Batting Award - Stacey Webber (Qld)

2008
Most Valuable Player - Hannah Deen (NSW)
Batting Award - Katina Robson (ACT)
Pitching Award - Lana Tye (NSW)

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