Bruggemann earns call up for nationals

MOUNT Gambier Softballer Leyna Bruggemann is set to represent South Australia at the Softball Australia Over 35 National Championships in Blacktown NSW from July 7-12.

After representing South Australia in Under 19s and the Open team, Bruggemann made her return to the South Australian program in the Over 35 team last year.

Bruggemann was filled with relief and gratitude finding out she would be wearing the South Australian colours once again this year.

“It’s humbling to be able to still play at a reasonable standard when you are old, so I very much appreciate the opportunity to do so while having a few laughs with my mates, playing a sport that I love,” Bruggemann said. “There were three trials in Adelaide at 9am on Sunday mornings primarily during our final series so not ideal for those who live outside of the metro area. We got to hit in the indoor training facility while selectors reviewed our skills as well as some time out on the diamond with a focus on throwing strength and accuracy across multiple positions. Thankfully the coaches realise it would be a significant detriment to our team for me to even be considered to step foot in the outfield, so I avoided that.”

Originally from Adelaide, Bruggemann is now considered a Mount Gambier local and is well-loved within the local softball community.

She has been highly involved in the Mount Gambier Softball League since moving from Adelaide more than a decade ago – an incredibly dedicated club person; that dedication recognised with Life Membership to her beloved Warriors Softball Club last year.

Bruggemann’s incredible coaching ability has seen success at league level, with her being a back-to-back premiership playing coach in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons and she has also taken her coaching to tournament level, coaching multiple Mount Gambier representative teams.

She most recently coached the Division 1 Mount Gambier side at the Berri Masters Carnival to a grand final berth (see page 36 & 37 for details), ultimately finishing runners up.

When she isn’t coaching, Bruggemann is giving back to the league in any way she can, and you will see her regularly umpiring, scoring or maintaining the diamonds each Saturday.

She has accreditation in both umpiring and scoring and is in regular contact with Softball SA to ensure that the regional players in Mount Gambier are still able to access the same resources that those in metropolitan areas do.

Often one to not talk about personal achievements, Bruggemann had an incredibly successful 2025/26 softball season where she claimed joint runner-up best and fairest and was runner up in awards for batting average and runs batted in.

To top off her incredible season, she was named as pitcher and coach in the Mt Gambier Softball Leagues “Team of The Year”.

Her selection in the State Team is a testament to her hard work and a reward for effort.

“It is fabulous not having the responsibility of worrying about everyone else as a coach however I can’t help myself and find myself offering feedback, encouragement, advice and sledging whether it is welcomed or not,” Bruggemann said. “Hitting has been the primary focus of my training as I played a lot as the designated player last year. That suited me well as I love the mental challenge of hitting but less so the physical impact of standing out on the diamond on my old knees. I’ll play first as well but getting behind the team regardless of what position I am playing in is what it’s all about.”

The six-day national tournament will take place at the Sydney 2000 Olympics Venue and will feature Australia’s best softballers in the Over 35 age category.

“Quickly regrouping after a lacklustre at bat is essential for the team,” Bruggemann said. “Letting go of things not going well and focusing on what I can do is a skill in itself. I’ve dropped a few kilos so my knees are definitely better for that, gives me more knowledge that I can concentrate on the game rather than pain if I’m fielding for long periods of time.

“I’d still love to be able to catch but I’m just not physically able to, certainly not at that level. Pregame warm up and post-game warm downs are essential as s pool recovery, icing, bike recovery and ongoing sobriety also appears to have some merit.

“Personal accolades don’t mean anything in comparison to team success for me. I aim to do what is asked of me – move runners around, hit runners in, make oppositions work hard to get me out, put the bunt down, talk the coach into putting the steal signal on knowing I can make it, cleanly field anything that comes near to me and not lose my glove receiving rockets from Belinda White.”

Softball, both at a national and international level, is astonishingly a self-funded sport where players are having to self-fund their way to national tournaments and competitions.

“I don’t think that women’s sport is well funded as a general rule which means players have to self-fund,” Bruggemann said. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate enough that other softballers in our local league are also business owners, so they have provided support in that way. I hate asking people for money. Raffles and wine drives amongst things have been very well supported by our local community which is again incredibly humbling.”

Mount Gambier Softball League president Kezia Feast spoke on how proud the league was to have Leyna involved in the State Team.

“It’s an exciting and proud moment for the Mount Gambier Softball League as our very own Leyna Bruggemann takes to the big stage once again, representing the Over 35 Softball SA State Team for the second consecutive year,” Feast said.

“We heard great stories about Leyna’s trip to Blacktown last year and are looking forward to another successful campaign for her and the team. It’s always special to see our town represented in softball, a sport that has produced many outstanding players from our league. We wish Leyna all the very best, safe travels, and a successful tournament. Mount Gambier will be watching and cheering you on from afar.”