Date: 17 August 2026

Kia ora, 

The countdown is on! With the new softball season just around the corner, there’s plenty happening at East Coast Bays United Softball Club as we get ready to welcome our returning players and new members back to the diamond.

There are some important dates and changes to be aware of this season, so please take the time to read through the information below.

We encourage everyone to register as soon as possible. ECB needs to provide NH with a list of teams in September, and the number of teams we can enter will depend on our registrations at that time. Early registration also gives our Club Captains more time to organise teams and allows coaches more time to work with their players and prepare for the season ahead.

In this newsletter you'll find: 

  • NHSA Season Information including start dates
  • NHSA Grade changes for 26/27 season 
  • ECB junior coach expressions of interest. 
  • Women's Mental Skills & Performance Clinic - 22 September
  • ECB Have a GO Day - 19 September 
  • Tournament and Development Opportunities
  • Wildcats Masters Fundraiser (5 Cheeses for $20)
     

🥎2026/27 SEASON INFORMATION 

NHSA SEASON START DATE
North Harbour are still finalising details, but these are key dates.  

Sat 26 Sep 2026 - Premier Men, Premier Reserve Men & Women (Panthers) 
Thu 01 Oct 2026 - Premier Women Fast60 Competition 
Sat 31 Oct 2026 - Start for all grades 

You'll find all the season information here 
 

NEW NHSA GRADE CHANGES
North Harbour have made some changes to the age grades this season.  The Under 15 grade will change to the Under 16  age grades this season, and below are the key changes.  

Under 15 Boys - Will change to Under 16 Boys - games still on Saturday
Under 15 Girls - Will change to Under 16 Girls - games on Saturday 
Under 17 Girls - Will change to Under 18 Girls - games on Friday night 
Under 17/19 Boys - Will change to Under 21 Boys - games on Friday night 

Once finalised, the game time information, will be updated on the NHSA website.  

 

ECB EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - JUNIOR COACHES
We are currently asking for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for junior coaching, assistant coaching positions for the 2026/27 season, ranging from u5 through to u21 teams.  Please complete if you are either a junior coach, manager or scorer. 

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

All our ECB female players aged 14+ to seniors are encouraged to attend this session with Kelly Young.  Covering practical tools for pressure, breathwork, communication, confidence, mindset and recovering from mistakes.

📅Tues 22 Sep 2026:  6:30-8pm 
$$  Tickets: $15 per player 
📍Stadium Conference Room 

This is a great opportunity to develop the mental skills that make all the difference on the field. We’d love to see as many of our women players there as possible!

*Players aged 14–16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

REGISTER FEMALE MENTAL SKILLS CLINIC

Know someone who might want to play softball? Our Have a Go Day is the perfect chance to introduce new players to our club, share what makes softball so much fun and bring them along to our Have a Go Day.

📅 Sat 19 Sep 2026 between 1pm - 3pm
📍 Albany Domain, Albany (baseball fields opposite Albany Senior) CLICK HERE

REGISTER NOW FOR: ORANGE SHIRT & U13 RAMON TAMATI MEMORIAL

NHSA Orange Shirt Programme (Umpires) REGISTER NOW
  Date: Commences Sept 2026 @ Rosedale Park - new umpires aged U13 and above.

Ramon Tamati Memorial Div 3 & u13 Tournament REGISTER NOW - U13 MIXED
 Details: Saturday, 10 Oct 2026 @ Bream Bay - U13 Mixed teams. 

Wednesday Nights: Join Team Reach ECB2023P to find out about Wednesday Night throw around at Freyburg Park. This is not a structured session, check the Team Reach for full details. 

🧀 Support the Wildcats Cheese Fundraiser! 🧀

The Wildcats are heading to the Gold Coast in November to compete in the Pan Pacific Masters, and they’re fundraising to help make the trip possible! For just $20, you can enjoy an assorted selection of 5 from the following: Creamy Havarti, Classic Gouda, Peppered Havarti, Chilli Havarti, Cold Smoked Havarti & Pecorino (5x60g). Approx 300g.

Every purchase helps get the Wildcats one step closer to the Gold Coast! 🐾💙

ORDER CHEESE - SUPPORT FUNDRAISER

IMPORTANT DATES:
09 Aug 2026: NH U13-U19 Rep Academy (to 13 Sep)
10 Aug 2026: NH Community Programme (to 14 Sep)
25 Aug 2026: Final Date ECB Winter Skills Development Programme 
09 Sep 2026 - Have a Go Day @ Albany Domain 
22 Sep 2026: Women's Mental Skills open to those 14 years to our seniors. 
26 Sep 2026 - Prem and Prem Reserve Season Starts 
28 Sep 2026: NH Orange Shirt Programme starts 
03 Oct 2026 - Pre Season Training @ Albany Domain
10 Oct 2026 - Pre Season Training @ Albany Domain
17 Oct 2026 - Pre Season Training @ Albany Domain
18 Oct 2026 - Registration Day - Uniform Collection @ Rosedale Park
24 Oct 2026 - Pre Season Training @ Albany Domain 
31 Oct 2026 - Season Starts - All Grades
06 Dec 2026 - Brad Rona Tournament U13 Boys and Girls (let Bron know if you want to play)

Can't keep up with what is going on, you can always check our calendar on the ECB website, where we load all our ECB relevent activities.  

 

If you have any questions at all please contact secretary@ecbsoftball.org.nz

 ECB Softball Committee 
#ecbproud
www.ecbsoftball.org.nz