Players impress on city trip

Pilbara softball players from the Western Desert showed off their skills in the big smoke this month in an exhibition game played ahead of the Women's National Softball Championships final.

More than 30 women from Nullagine, Jigalong, Warralong, Punmu, Parnngurr, Kiwirkurra, Kunawaritji and Parnpajinya travelled to Perth as part of the January 10 curtain-raiser.

Splitting into Kakarra (east) versus Yapurra (west) teams, the women played a closely fought game before Kakarra emerged with a narrow 5-3 victory.

Sport and recreation group Ngurra Kujungka's program manager Daniel Barnes said the players had a blast.

"It was a close game … and a number of girls caught the eye of people in Perth due to their talent," he said.

PICTURE GALLERY: Exhibition game

Barnes said Patrina Jackman from Parnpajinya, Darlene Richards from Parnngurr and Tanella West from Kiwirrkurra were stand-out batters, while Parnpajinya's Abbey Marnie unleashed a series of lethal windmill pitches that impressed onlookers.

Impressing Perth softball scouts is no mean feat for players who rarely have the chance to play.

Coming from tiny East Pilbara communities, most of the women play formal games only three times a year when they take part in the Western Desert Softball League carnivals, held alongside the men's Aussie rules tournaments.

Barnes said a key aim of the trip was to provide players with more games, both in Perth and back in their communities.

Not only did the teams play the exhibition game, but they also played against a State under-17 team and undertook umpire training with Softball WA.

Barnes said by becoming umpires, they could help during carnivals and also organise games in their communities.

Yapurra coach and Nullagine local Annabell Landy already has plans for a new training regime.

"It's really good, I've told my girls what I learnt watching softball (in Perth)," she said.

"As soon as all the girls get back from town, I'm going to get them training (in) Nullagine."