During Julie Dale’s high school years, she and a group of friends tenaciously put together a softball team – with limited equipment and no coach – but they soon became a successful team.
With no coach, only basic equipment and catching trams and trains to their opposition schools, a group of Enfield High School girls pulled together what would become a successful softball team.
Julie Dale was one of those teenage girls.
It was in 1960 at age 18 that Julie Dale became a senior SA State softball player.
Her first exposure to interstate pitchers and their powerful windmill action was breathtaking.
Against the unremitting might of Victoria and NSW, the SA coach’s philosophy was, “Well, we’re gonna lose anyway so might as well see what the newer ones can do.”
SA did lose as predicted, but Julie Dale’s calm demeanour when facing the pitchers’ technical brilliance allowed her to hit safely and get on base twice. She stayed in for the rest of the tournament.
Her knowledge of the game, a calm clarity, and her ability to build great relationships with players were noticed by SA softball management.
Rosemary Adey approached one day and offered Julie Dale the option of coaching the State U19 or U16 State teams. The choice was hers.
She chose the U16 team, and in her second year, she took the U16s to the national grand final.
In 1984, Jule Dale switched up to coaching the U19s. That is a national championship victory that is long remembered in this State.
In tandem with playing, coaching, and managing, Julie Dale volunteered for the association:
Julie Dale is a SA Softball Legend with seven decades of service and involvement.
