Softball Australia held their annual awards dinner on Saturday night with WAIS athlete Leigh Godfrey winning the 2008 Softball Australia Junior Female Athlete of the Year award.
Godfrey claimed the award ahead of four other athletes including WAIS’ Chelsea Forkin who won the title the previous year in 2007.
WAIS head softball coach Kere Johanson praised Godfrey’s progression through the WAIS program and believed the 19 year-old was a worthy winner.
“Leigh is a well deserved winner and is justified by her progression since returning from the U19 World Championships last year,” Johanson said.
Following the under age world championships, Godfrey gained selection for the Olympic Selection Camp held in February of this year and was a late inclusion to make her debut for the Australian Open Women’s Team which played a Tri Series against Japan & Canada in March.
“Leigh is an athlete that absolutely lives and breaths the game and does everything asked and more to obtain her goals. She has great work ethic and is very coachable and is always striving to do better,” said Johanson.
This award has provided Godfrey with the opportunity to continue her good form as a new wave of athletes will be looked at for the future of Australian Softball. Godfrey’s example provides a positive view of the progression available to athletes through the WAIS softball program.
Johanson commented that Godfrey will form a critical part of the WAIS squad and will play a key role in the development of other young talented softballers.
“I’m sure Leigh will be one of them as will a good handful of Leigh’s WAIS squad team mates, proving that with back to back titles the WAIS Softball Program is reaching its maturity with a solid foundation of experienced youth to compete in this year’s National League,” he said.
