At the completion of the 2016/17 season, Baseball Victoria undertook a review which would focus on the processes and role of our Charters.
The purpose of the review was work with each Charter to evaluate how the current system was operating and to assist in finding efficiencies that would benefit the players, committees and overall sustainability of the sport.
The Charter system which has been operational within Victoria for a number of years, serves the purpose of offering baseball programs to young people of all backgrounds and of all skill levels.
The Charter system aligns with Little League International which is currently in operation in more than 75 countries. There are six Charters in operation around Victoria that run programs which range from t-ball to elite pathway programs and competitions with Charters responsible for a record 129 teams of junior baseballers during the 2016/17 season.
Baseball Victoria recognises the importance of the Charter program as a way of both attracting new people to the sport, keeping young people engaged in the sport and offering opportunities for development and progression.
Following the completion of the review, Baseball Victoria’s Board of Directors have agreed on the creation of a new committee that will act as a central contact point to support the development of junior baseball and assist Charters in achieving their strategic goals of Gain, Train, Retain and Sustain.
The key responsibilities of the committee are to:
• Ensure alignment with the overarching philosophy of junior baseball
• Ensure consistency in the delivery of Charter programs across Victoria
• Provide a central point of contact for key stakeholders
• Help coordinate junior baseball activities via each Charter Committee
• Help identify junior coaching and umpiring needs and opportunities within each Charter
The committee currently consists of key stakeholders from Baseball in Victoria, as well as one representative from each Charter.
The committee's first meeting took place on Monday 14 August and has already begun work on a number of key initiatives. With this group firmly entrenched within Baseball Victoria structure and a key part of our player development pathway, the committee aims to assist in giving Charters the capacity to continue to flourish in the community.