North Shore is calling for expressions of interest from players for the 2026 Northern Titans Waratah League AND Northern Storm State League Teams.

Trials

Players who wish to be considered for the Waratah and State League teams are invited to trial on Wednesday 26th November 2025 from 6.00pm to 8:30pm at St Ives. We encourage players who may be looking to trial for U16 or U18 teams to consider submitting an EOI to support preparation for these Championships. 

We understand this is short notice but due to the earlier start date for the competitions, we are hoping to announce the teams by mid-January at the latest, with any training requirements to be confirmed with the team once selected.  
 
If you are unavailable to trial for this date, please provide details in your EOI so that your nomination can be considered. We will reach out if further information is required.  
 
To submit an EOI for any of these teams, please use the link below:  

Register Now

If you have any questions about either Waratah League or State League, please reach out to Stacey Hutchinson via rep.secretary@nsdsa.org.au

Waratah & State League Key dates:

The 2026 Waratah and State League competitions will be held concurrently across 4 rounds of competition including finals, between 1st February 2026 and 15th March 2026.  

It is planned that there will be a regional round of competition for both leagues with the host yet to be confirmed. All other Waratah and State league games will be played at Blacktown International Sports Park (BISP).  

* Please note: It is mandatory for teams to participate in the regional round and players must play a minimum of 50% of games in their respective league to qualify to participate in finals. 

Waratah League Eligibility
 
To be eligible to nominate for the Northern Titans Team and play in Waratah League, players must be:

• First registered with a North Shore District Softball Association Club or another Association affiliated with Softball in any state or territory Australia wide and registered for the 2025-26 softball membership year before training commences in 2026. If you are unsure, please contact your club or association registrar.
• At least 14 years of age as at 31st December 2026.
• Have not participated in any of the following programs:
  • Under 23 and/or Open National Championships, representing any state or territory in the previous 3 years ending 31st December 2026
  • Represented Australia in the previous 5 years ending on 31st December 2026. Note: ‘Australian’ representation is considered for the following teams: Open Women (Aussie Spirit), Under 23 Women, Under 18/19 Women (Junior Spirit). 
• Each team roster may include a maximum of 4 players who have participated in the Under 18/19 and/or Over 35 National Championships in the previous 3 years ending on 31st December 2026, representing any state or territory, provided they are not excluded by the criteria noted above. 

We encourage players who meet these criteria to submit an Expression of Interest. If we receive nominations above the maximum allowed, we will liaise with players individually. It is expected that squads for both teams will be between 14-18 players.
 
State League Eligibility
 
To be eligible to nominate for the Northern Storm team, players must be:

• First registered with a North Shore District Softball Association Club or another Association affiliated with Softball in any state or territory Australia wide and registered for the 2025-26 softball membership year before training commences in 2026. If you are unsure, please contact your club or association registrar.
• At least 16 years of age as at 31st December 2026.

Each team roster may include a maximum of 8 players who have: 

• Participated in the Softball Australia Open National Championships (Gilley’s Shield) in the previous 3 years ending on 31 December 2026, representing any state or territory
• Represented Australia in the previous 3 years ending on 31 December 2026. ‘Australian’ representation is considered for the following teams: Open Women (Aussie Spirit), Under 18/19 Women (Junior Spirit).

It is expected that squads for both teams will be between 14-18 players.