Softball Australia today named a 17-strong women's team for the World Championships at the Fengtai Sports Centre in Beijing, China, from Aug 27 to Sept 5.

The Championships will also act as an Olympic qualifying event, with softball to be played at the same venue in 2008.

Head Coach Fabian Barlow said the team had the right mixture of experience and youth.

"We are confident with the dynamics of the squad we have chosen and feel it is the right mix to do Australia proud at the Worlds," said Barlow.

The team will go into an induction camp at the AIS Unit in Brisbane from May 6-9 to begin preparations for the Championships. Their build-up will include competing at the Canada Cup (July 1-9, Vancouver) and US Cup (July 13-17, Oklahoma) along with a further four training camps.

Softball was first contested at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 where Australia picked up the bronze. At Sydney 2000 they won bronze again before winning the silver medal at Athens 2004. 

At the IOC Session in September 2005 softball and baseball were voted off the Games Program for the London 2012 Games. In 2009 the sports to be contested at the 2016 Games will be determined.

World Championship Team:
Sandra Allen (Qld), Marissa Carpadios (Qld), Kylie Cronk (Qld), Amanda Doman (Qld), Kelly Gentle (NSW), Kelly Hardie (Qld), Tanya Harding (Qld), Danica Howlett (NSW), Simmone Morrow (NSW), Tracey Mosley (Qld), Stacey Porter (NSW), Kate Quigley (Vic), Melanie Roche (NSW), Danielle Stewart (Qld), Natalie Titcume (Vic), Natalie Ward (NSW), Belinda Wright (NSW).