WHAKAPAPA

The Evergreen Women's Tournament was initiated from the Horowhenua and began in 1983. 

A group of six keen ex-representative players game together in 1982 in one of the women's home and shared a vision, motivated by the fact that the men (from Horowhenua) where participating in Men's Evergreens Tournaments, but there was no such tournament in Aotearoa for women. 

The aim was to try to organise a National Tournament, where old friendships could be renewed, sing, play softball and basically have fun. 

Planning began, rules where suggested
ie: Players had to be over 35 years of age and must be ex-representative softball players.  The first tournament to be in Levin at Donnelly Park, in 1983. 

Invitations were sent to every Schoolchildren's Softball Association throughout Aotearoa, in the hopes that the message would reach to appropriate softball personnel (oldies).

Two teams answered, stating they would be particpating, namely Hutt Valley and Hawkes Bay.  The tournament was held as Horowhenua fielded two teams, so as teams could have three games each. 

Not to be deterred by the number of teams present at this first tournament, all present agreed together we could build this vision into becoming a reality. 

It was decided Horowhenua host the 1984 tournament also, and invitations would be sent out to the Senior Softball Assocations throughout Aotearoa.  

Six teams particpated in 1984. 

The vision was in fact becoming a reality.