Wodonga Senior Secondary College student Angus Weal has capped off his third year representing Victoria at the School Sport Australia 18 Years Softball Championship by being named Team VIC’s Most Valuable Player.
The championship, held in Blacktown, New South Wales, brought together talented school-aged softball players from across Australia.
Angus was part of Team VIC’s senior leadership group and made an important contribution throughout the tournament. After a challenging opening round, the team responded strongly with victories over the ACT and New South Wales before defeating the ACT 8–6 in the finals.
The Most Valuable Player award was presented to Angus during the tournament’s closing ceremony.
“It’s been good seeing other people grow and playing against high-level teams, especially New South Wales and Queensland,” Angus said.
The recognition continues an impressive three years representing Wodonga Senior Secondary College as part of the Victorian 18 Years and Under Boys Softball Team.
In his first year, Angus received the tournament’s overall Sportsmanship Award, selected from players representing six state teams. He was named Team VIC captain the following year, a new leadership experience that involved supporting his teammates, working closely with the coaches and helping keep the group motivated.
This year, he built on that experience as a member of the senior leadership group before receiving Team VIC’s MVP award.
Across his three years with the team, Angus has played catcher, outfield, third base and shortstop. He has also made valuable contributions with the bat and produced a number of impressive catches and outs in the field.
Angus’s involvement in the sport began at a young age, inspired by his family’s longstanding connection with baseball. After moving from Sydney and discovering there was no local junior baseball competition, he joined the softball program at the same club and has been playing ever since.
Reaching the state level has required considerable dedication. In preparation for each School Sport Australia championship, Angus has travelled to Melbourne weekly for at least 10 weeks of training.
He has also represented Victoria at the Softball Australia National Championships for the past three years—first at under-16 level and then for two years with the under-18 team. These campaigns have involved weekly trips to Melbourne to compete in the Under-21 Fastpitch Competition, weekend training sessions and lead-up tournaments in Werribee and Canberra.
Closer to home, Angus represented Softball Albury Wodonga at the Open State Championships in both 2025 and 2026.
Alongside playing, Angus has spent the past four years developing as an umpire with Softball Victoria. His experience includes officiating School Sport Victoria state finals, the Open Women’s State Championships, the Under-14 State Championships and the Victorian Masters Softball Championships in Shepparton.
He believes umpiring has also helped him become a stronger player.
“Being an umpire has helped with my playing because I have a better understanding of the rules,” he said.
Angus was also a finalist for the Joss Young Achiever of the Year in both 2025 and 2026, recognising his achievements across softball and umpiring.
He has accomplished all of this while continuing his studies, maintaining a part-time job and playing and umpiring in local softball and baseball competitions.
For students interested in getting involved in the sport or pursuing representative opportunities, Angus’s advice is simple.
“Just keep trying and go for any opportunity that you’re given.”
### Team VIC carnival results
* Round 1: Queensland defeated Victoria, 21–0
* Round 1: New South Wales defeated Victoria, 1–0
* Round 1: ACT defeated Victoria, 14–0
* Round 2: Victoria defeated ACT, 12–1
* Round 2: Victoria defeated New South Wales, 5–3
* Round 2: Queensland defeated Victoria, 17–0
* Finals: Victoria defeated ACT, 8–6