Alice Springs born, Vanessa Stokes is an extremely talented pitcher who made her international debut for the Australian Open Women’s team, Aussie Spirit, in December 2011 competing in the Test series in Canberra against NZ.

Vanessa’s overall finishing performance that year at the 2011-12 Gilley’s Shield National Championship gave her another opportunity to officially debut again at the International Series against Japan in Canberra 2012.

Following a successful debut, Vanessa’s hard work and dedication earned her a spot representing the Aussie Spirit in the 2012 ISF XIII Women’s World Championship held in Canada in July 2012, and was a fantastic contributor in the team’s bronze medal winning performance.

At the start of 2013 Vanessa gained another opportunity to play professional Softball in Japan alongside her Aussie Captain Stacey Porter. She played for team SG Holdings in Kyoto, Japan and played in one of the best leagues in the world.

Vanessa, started playing softball as a 4 year old, encouraged by her mother who also played competitive sport, representing her State in national competitions in softball and soccer. Vanessa moved to South Australia in 2001 where she attended Gepps Cross Girls High School.

She started playing for Port Adelaide at the age of 14years old and stayed with the club for 4 years before joining the Glenelg Rebels in 2011.

Vanessa is also a member of the SA Starz who compete in the Australian Open Women’s Championship, Gilley’s Shield every year.

When she is not playing softball, Vanessa works as a Mentor in remote areas around Alice Springs and is an extremely passionate role model for Indigenous Australians. ‘As a Softball Australia indigenous softball role model, my aim is to inspire and encourage Indigenous Australians to participate in healthy activities, stay in school, gain employment and strive to achieve their dreams and ambitions.’

Vanessa has received many awards for her outstanding achievements including playing professional Softball in Japan.

Vanessa has represented Northern Territory and South Australia in softball going on 16years from junior level to senior level and comes from a very sporting background.

This indigenous young woman from Central Australia was inspired by her mother Fiona, whom also was a talented athlete, to achieve her childhood dream of playing for her country. She now is regarded as one of the best pitchers in the world in her sport “softball”.

Vanessa is the 9th Indigenous athlete to represent Australia in Softball and is the 1st Indigenous softball player ever to pitch for her country,”Australia ”.

SOFTBALL ACCOLADES

AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATION

• 2015 Land Down Under Series Australia Vs Japan – Sydney, Australia – 2^nd Place
• Australian Open Women’s Team (2014) – ISF Open Women’s Championship in Haarlem, Amsterdam – Bronze Medalist
• Australian Open Women’s Team (2012) – ISF XIII Open Women’s World Championship, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada – Bronze Medalist
• Australian Open Women’s Squad (2006/07, 2012; 2013)
• Australian Open Women’s Team - World Cup of Softball Final (2012) 2^nd Place, Oklahoma USA
• Australian Open Women’s Team - Canada Cup Fastpitch, (2012) 3^rd Place - Vancouver Canada
• Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship Holder (2006, 2012, 2013)
• Australian Institute of Sport Test Series 2001 – 2002 (U19 Women) Australia vs New Zealand

STATE REPRESENTATION & AWARDS

• Naidoc Sport Person Of The Year – 2014
• Tanya Denver Award – 2014
• Pitcher of the Gorgeous Cup Award, Indonesia – 2014
• Player Of The Series In Iwate, Japan - 2013
• Australian Softballer Of The Year Award – 2013
• Indigenous Sports Person Of The Year Award - 2013
• Softball SA – Open Women’s representative (2010, 2012, 2014,2015)
• Softball SA – “Outstanding Achievement Award” 2011/2012
• Softball SA – 2011/2012 “Team of the Year” – Pitcher
• Softball SA – 2003 – 2010 (U19 Women & Open Women)

CLUB REPRESENTATION & AWARDS

• Glenelg Rebels Softball Club (SA) – A grade Premiership Pitcher (2012), SA
• Glenelg Rebels Softball Club – Most Valuable Player (2012) - Adelaide, SA
• Glenelg Rebels Softball Club – Pitching Award (2012) – Adelaide SA
• Marion Sports Person of The Year Award (2012), Adelaide SA

SOFTBALL – AWARDS & RECOGNITION

• NT MVP Junior State Carnival (2000) – Adelaide, SA
• Pints Softball Club Most Valuable Player (2000) – Darwin, NT
• Australian School Girls Merit Team (2004) – Melbourne, VIC
• Best Player in the Final NT Championships (2011) – Darwin, NT

BASKETBALL ACCOLADES

BASKETBALL RECOGNITION

• DSA Most Valuable Player (1996 – 1997) – Darwin, NT
• NTIS Basketball Scholarship Holder (1998 – 1999), Darwin, NT
• University Rebels Basketball Club Most Valuable Player (1999-2000) - Darwin, NT
• U14’s All Star Team NT Basketball Championship, (2000) - Alice Springs, NT
• Australian Institute of Sport – Scholarship Holder 2000-2001