Stacey Porter will kick-off what she hopes will be a big 2020 when she turns out for NSW at what has been tagged the biggest Open Women's National Softball Championship in recent memory.
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Beginning in Perth on Saturday, the tournament will see the best softballers in the country, as well as some international stars, not only compete for the prestigious Gilley's Shield, but look to take the first step towards the Tokyo Olympics as the sport makes its return after a 12 year hiatus.
The Aussie's secured their spot in September with Porter leading them to victory in the Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifier in China.
The nationals represents the first chance of the year for players to put their hand up for a possible spot in the final 15.
Porter will be part of a star-studded NSW side, the Tamworth product one of eight Aussie Spirit Olympic Qualifier members lining up for the aptly-named NSW Firestars as they chase a fourth consecutive national title.
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She is joined by Kaia Parnaby, Taylah Tsitsikronis, Stacey McManus, Tarni Stepto, Ellen Roberts, Michelle Cox and Rachel Lack.
Lack blitzed the 2019 Gilley's Shield on her way to tournament MVP and was also recently named Softball NSW's Female Player of the Year.
The Firestars begin their campaign against last year's runners-up, the South Australia Starz.
The Starz will have their fair share of Australian representatives headlined by Aussie Spirit vice captain Belinda White along with Maddie Cameron, Jordan Lambert, Steph Trzcinski and the sister pairing of Junior Spirit players Amber and Georgia Hood.
They'll also feature a sprinkling of international talent including globetrotting pitcher Jessica Dreswick and USSSA Pride player Jailyn Ford who stood out for the Starz in 2019, pitching them all the way into the final.
