Dallas, TX—The Dallas Charge of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league are excited to announce the signing of Australian National Team Pitcher Vanessa Stokes for the 2015 season. Stokes becomes the first Australian born player to sign a NPF contract. The six foot, right-handed pitcher provides a young Charge pitching staff a veteran with years of international and professional experience.
“We are excited to have Vanessa on our inaugural team. She is a decorated international competitor and will bring valuable experience to the Charge. Our fans will be surprised and excited to welcome this Australian star to Dallas. I can’t wait to see her in action in a Charge uniform,” said Charge General Manager Kevin Shelton.
Currently, Stokes works for Softball South Australia as the Schools Development and Indigenous Softball Program Officer while also playing for South Australia nationally and the Glenelg Softball Club locally. She was named the Australian NAIDOC Sportswoman of the Year in 2014. The NAIDOC celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognizes exceptional individuals. In 2013, Stokes was the Australian Softballer of the Year.
Stokes is no stranger to making history and blazing new trails. She became the first indigenous softball player ever to pitch for Australia and just the ninth indigenous athlete to represent Australia in the sport of softball. A native of Alice Springs, Australia, she was named the Indigenous Sports Person of the Year in 2013. She will become the first Australian born NPF player when she takes the field in 2015.
Since 2012, Stokes has played in several major international tournaments with Australia. She helped Australia win a bronze medal in the 2014 ISF Open Women’s Championship in Amsterdam, a silver medal in the 2012 World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City, a bronze medal at the ISF XIII Open Women’s World Championship in Yukon, Canada, and a bronze at the 2012 Canada Cup in Vancouver. Stokes was named Pitcher of the Gorgeous Cup Award in 2013.
In 2013, Stokes joined Australian teammate Stacey Porter in the Japan Softball League (JSL) playing for SG Holdings in Kyoto, Japan. The JSL features some of the world’s most talented players including Charge signees Jolene Henderson, Morgan Melloh, and Kaylyin Castillo as well as NPF players Monica Abbott, Keilani Ricketts, and Natasha Watley.
Stokes has prior experience playing in Texas. At the age of 14, she traveled to Texas with her mom to play for a Texas team, Hearts of Texas, in a tournament that included over 80 American youth teams.
The Dallas Charge and Stokes’s inaugural season kicks off at home on June 3, 2015 against the Pennsylvania Rebellion. For more information and questions about the Charge, contact us at [email protected] or call 724-CHARGE1 (724-242-7431). You can also follow the Charge on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About the Dallas Charge
The Dallas Charge will begin competition in the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2015. The Charge will provide elite softball players the opportunity to pursue a professional career and inspire the next generation of professionals. Located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Charge organization and its players are committed to demonstrating leadership in community involvement, entertainment, and professionalism. Follow the Charge at www.dallascharge.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball and has been since 2002.