At the 2025 BSF AGM, held as a remote meeting on the afternoon of Saturday 22nd February, annual BSF Awards were announced.
Below are the award winners and a summary of why the awards were given.
Annual Awards
Glover Cup – Chris Dore
Chris Dore, the recipient of this year’s Glower Cup, has been a cornerstone of the Oxford League for decades. Starting as a player in 1994, he quickly became a leader, serving as a team captain and holding an Executive Committee position for an impressive 25 years. Known for his calm demeanor, Chris has been instrumental in expanding the league, mentoring new players, and guiding a rookie team to near-promotion in their first season. A versatile player with standout pitching skills and strategic batting, he has also contributed off the field by establishing the league’s Hall of Fame and supporting its operations. The Oxford League wouldn’t be where it is today without Chris’s unwavering commitment.
League Glover Cup – Swindon Softball League
The Swindon Softball League was awarded the League Glower Cup for its innovative approach to recruitment and development. Under the leadership of Chair Dan Mounsdon, the league created a Development Division in 2022 to welcome rookies and new players, supported by an expanded social media presence, community outreach, and local promotion. This initiative brought in enough players to form four new teams, later expanding to five, with training sessions and tournaments helping rookies grow in confidence and skill. By 2024, a new team of Development graduates competed in the Championship, finishing second—a testament to the program's success. This inclusive and structured approach has made softball accessible to players of all ages and abilities, strengthening the league and its community.
President’s Club Award – Spittin Camels
The Spittin Camels have been awarded The President's Club Award for their outstanding performance and development as a team. In 2023, their first year in the top division, the Camels achieved their goal of finishing 8th and qualifying for the nationals, an impressive feat for an inexperienced squad. The team’s growth throughout the season was evident, with their best results coming in the final tournament, showcasing their continued development and cohesion.
Under the leadership of Adam Brookbanks and Adam Hugill, the Camels have bonded as a young, dynamic team with rising stars. The Spittin Camels finished 9-13 in the NSL Div 1 and will retain their place in NSL 1 for the 2025 season. Finishing third in Manchesters Division 1, they are a team to watch as they continue to represent the Manchester Softball League with pride and look to build on their successful trajectory in the National Softball League.
Tournament of the Year – League Nationals
The League Nationals have been awarded Tournament of the Year for their exceptional organisation and execution. With teams of varied experience levels competing, the introduction of sub-divisions added complexity for the organisers, yet the event ran seamlessly. The schedule was communicated efficiently, and the organisers remained responsive and helpful with any queries regarding rosters and uniforms.
Held at Farnham, the tournament was a huge success, providing a competitive yet inclusive environment where teams at all levels had the opportunity to compete in finals and be rewarded for their hard work. The smooth running of the event and the positive atmosphere made it a standout tournament, with all involved having a fantastic experience. A huge congratulations to the team behind League Nationals for their outstanding efforts, particularly Alan Le Marquand!
Youth Team of the Year – Maidenhead
The Maidenhead Softball Youth Team has been named Youth Team of the Year, recognising its remarkable growth, inclusivity, and dedication to fostering young talent. Since its modest beginnings in 2019 with just six players attending an eight-week program, the team has expanded into a year-round program in 2023, boasting 20 members aged 7 to 15. Guided by coach Alan Le Marquand, the team exclusively focuses on fastpitch softball, with three pitchers and two catchers currently developing their skills and three players already part of the U16 development team.
The team's inclusive, community-driven approach has created a welcoming environment for players of all ages, abilities, and needs. The teams efforts have transformed the club into a close-knit, family-like community where children thrive socially and athletically.
This program not only nurtures the love of the game but also contributes to the growth of fastpitch softball in the UK, offering young players a rare opportunity to develop their skills and aspire to greater heights. Maidenhead Softball Youth Team’s achievements are a testament to the power of grassroots sports and a well-deserved recipient of this year’s award.
Young Fastpitch Player of the Year – Cara Edwards
Cara Edwards has been honoured as the Young Fastpitch Player of the Year for her exceptional performances in 2024. Competing in three major championships—the U18 World Cup, U22 European Championships, and Senior Women’s European Championships—within a single competition year, Cara demonstrated remarkable talent and maturity at a young age. Her walk off homer in July against host Brazil at the U18 World Cup set the tone for her year of achievements, with medals following in Poland (Bronze, U-22) and the Netherlands (Silver, Seniors). Amongst her many on-field highlights was catching for her sister Hannah in Great Britain’s 8-1 victory over Greece - the first time both Edwards sisters have played together as a battery for the national team.
As one of Great Britain’s youngest and brightest players, Cara looks to be an integral part of the Olympic Programme moving forward and will make her NCAA debut this year with Canisius College.
Young Slowpitch Player of the Year - Josh Walker
Fifteen-year-old Josh Walker has been awarded the Young Slowpitch Player of the Year for his exceptional achievements in 2024. Representing teams such as the Southport Seagulls, Didsbury Bats, and Liverbirds, Josh has excelled both on and off the field. He helped the Seagulls win the Liverpool League and hit six home runs to secure bronze at the League Nationals. In his first season with the Didsbury Bats, Josh earned MVP honors, made the home run leaderboard, and was named Manchester Softball League Young Player of the Year.
Josh’s rapid development, versatility, and enthusiasm have been praised by coaches and teammates alike. As part of the Great Britain Fastpitch Youth Programme, he has aspirations to play internationally and coach in multiple formats, including baseball and cricket. Liverpool Softball League Head David described Josh as “a dream young player” who listens, improves, and inspires others—a testament to his bright future in the sport.
Betsy Holden Award – Olive Boyd
Twelve-year-old Olive Boyd has been awarded the Betsy Holden Award for outstanding achievement by a young person in developing and promoting softball. A junior member of the SPAM Softball Club, Olive’s leadership and passion have inspired countless others to take up the sport. She founded the Whittington Cats youth team, organizing weekly sessions for 40 boys and girls new to softball, and has taken on responsibilities such as coaching, communications, equipment management, and even arranging personalized uniforms and an annual awards event.
Beyond her local team, Olive played a vital role in the Blind Baseball International Cup, leading a group of school volunteers who raised £1,687.50 for the event. She also contributes to the technical side of the sport, scoring games and developing a bespoke scoring app. Olive’s ongoing efforts include plans to start a softball team at her secondary school and her earlier success in introducing the First Pitch Programme to her primary school. Olive’s dedication, initiative, and impact on softball make her a truly deserving recipient of this year’s award.
Umpire of the Year - Colin Russell
Colin Russell has been named Umpire of the Year in recognition of his exceptional dedication and consistent performance on the field. Known for his fairness and solid decision-making, Colin has earned the respect of players and coaches alike for his reliable presence as an umpire. Starting his umpiring career in 2017, he quickly moved up through the grades of play and attended a BASU Advanced course in 2018. Beyond his on-field work, Colin is deeply engaged in the softball community previously as the BASU Secretary and currently the BASU training officer, he has helped to develop and mentor the next generation of umpires. His commitment to the sport and its growth makes him a well-deserved recipient of this prestigious award.
This year, Colin’s expertise has been further recognized with his involvement in WBSC Europe 2024, cementing his status as a top-tier official. Colin is a well-deserving recipient of this award. His ongoing contributions continue to enhance the quality of umpiring across all levels of the game.
We would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s award winners! It has been an incredibly positive and inspiring year, and we are grateful to see so many outstanding nominations recognising the incredible work being done within the softball community. From players to coaches and volunteers, it’s truly uplifting to hear about the dedication and passion driving the sport forward. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to submit nominations - your support and involvement are what make our community so special.
We look forward to an exciting upcoming season and the continued growth of softball!