The Diamond Sports Academy was launched on Tuesday 14 July 2009 by the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR).
15 July 2009
This high performance program for baseball and softball comes in the wake of the withdrawal of Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) funding.
The funding was lost because both baseball and softball are currently no longer Olympic sports.
The academy is a collaboration between DSR, Baseball WA, Softball WA and the Tee-ball Association of WA. It will provide clear pathways for juniors as well as the sharing of support services such as physiotherapy, psychology, medical, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning.
"This is a great example of sports that might traditionally compete against each other coming together to share resources and pursue common goals," DSR Acting Director General Graham Brimage said.
The program will be headed by Baseball WA and Softball WA general managers Geoff Hooker and Craig Hamer-Mathew, and representatives from DSR, the Australian Baseball Federation and Softball Australia.
Former international representatives Don Kyle (BWA) and Kere Johanson (SWA) have been appointed as the high performance managers.
"Being able to secure this funding from DSR will mean that we can continue to achieve success at the national and international level," said Mr Hooker.
"This three year agreement gives us a solid foundation upon which to maintain and build the already high standard of Western Australian softball," said Mr Hamer- Mathew.
"We are all hoping that baseball and softball will be reinstated as Olympic sports for the 2016 games."
