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MELANIE ROCHE

SOFTBALL
MORE ABOUT THIS SPORT 

Pitcher Melanie Roche #5 of Australia pitches against the United States in the softball gold medal contest at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games. (Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

QUIRKY STUFF
Childhood ambition always wanted to have a career in sport.
Proudest Moment My mother passed away in March 2003 and her funeral was the day before an Olympic Qualifier against NZ. During this match I pitched a no hitter game.
Favourite Food Anything with red wine
Perfect holiday Italy
Greatest band The Indigo Girls & U2
Dream car Aston Martin
Inspiration The power of a group. I love feeling the high energy that can flow through a group and make an average team a champion team.
Motto You can't keep a spirit down that wants to get up again.
Star sign Scorpio
I began this sport . . . when I was 11. My mum played and although I was playing hockey and cricket, once I started pitching at 13 the challenge kept me coming back to softball over other sports.
Participation in other sports Hockey & Cricket played in regional teams in High School (CHS).
When I am not training/competing I am . . . being spontaneous and finding a good time anywhere.
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EventSoftball - Women
PositionPitcher, right handed
Date of Birth09 Nov 1970
Age at start of Games37
BornSydney, NSW
LivesMebourne, VIC
Height165cm
Weight63kg
Institute/sNew South Wales Institute of Sport
ClubLeo Palace 21,
Coach(es)Fabian Barlow (2008 - present)
Olympic Games1996 Atlanta
2000 Sydney
2004 Athens
Olympic Results1996 Atlanta - 3rd
2000 Sydney - 3rd
2004 Athens - 2nd
Olympic Medals2 Bronze Medals, 1 Silver Medal

BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

Education
Secondary Education
Leumeah High School, NSW
Tertiary Education
Bachelor of Physical Education (Sports Science)
Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma
Major Injuries
SLAP tear right shoulder before Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Career Highlights
Winning a silver medal.
Threw a perfect game (no hits and no walks) for her Italian team, Nuoro Softball Team (based in Sardinia), in the Italian League during 2007. (Roche has only thrown about three or four games like this in 20 years )
Recent Performances
3rd - 2008 Blacktown International (Sydney, Australia)
3rd - 2007 Japan Cup (Yokohama, Japan)
3rd - 2007 China Cup (Beijing, China)
3rd - 2006 World Championships (Beijing, China)
3rd - USA World Cup (Oklahoma City, USA)
1st - 2005 Canada Cup (Surrey, Australia)
Interesting Facts
One of the best pitchers in the world and nine times ‘Best Pitcher’ at the Australian Softball Nationals. Melanie divides her time between the Japanese League, where she has played since 2001, as well as the Italian League where she played in 1997, 1999 and 2007 and the Australian National League. Melanie made her international debut for Australia in 1988 and has competed for Australia at four World Championships and has played 220 games for Australia
She played NCAA College Softball for Oklahoma State University from 1989 to 1994 and played club softball in Canada in the summers from 1992 to 1994. Melanie also found time to compete for Australia fulfilling her commitments to the team at the World Championships in 1990 and 1994, and in 1996 was an integral member of the bronze medal winning Olympic team. Melanie played in the Italian League during 1997 and 1999 (April – October) and was heavily involved in the National Program leading up to the Sydney Olympics, playing 18 tournaments and 70 games for Australia between 1996 and 2000.
After twelve consecutive years of international competition for Australia and a gruelling preparation for the Sydney Olympics, Roche withdrew from the Australian Squad and began her professional career in Japan in 2001, taking her team Miki House to the play offs (top 4 out of 12) in 2001 & 2002. The team also took home the All-Japan Cup in 2001 and Roche was named the League’s Most Winning Pitcher, a title she won again in 2007.
In 2005 Melanie was offered a contract with Japanese team Leo Palace 21 and has made the Play offs with the team every year since and hopes to do so again in 2008. Returning to National commitments in 2003 she played in the Canada Cup and was named the tournaments Best Pitcher a title she also took home from the same tournament in 2004 and 2005.
In late 2005 Melanie moved to the Dandenong Ranges outside of Melbourne. Spending five months of the year in Japan living in Tokyo and in a competitive sporting environment she enjoys relaxing at her home there where she likes to play her guitar and read, write poetry and songs. Melanie has written songs for each of the Olympic teams she has been on and spends her time in the Ranges finding words and reflecting on her Olympic journey, trying to capture the team and the experience of each campaign.
When in Japan, Melanie plays two games a weekend and says every game there is like playing a final, with up to 5000 fans at a game, the atmosphere and the pressure to win is huge. Melanie has a trademark aggressive style and strong presence on the mound. Karaoke is a tradition in Japan and on most Sunday nights Melanie can be found in Karaoke bar singing her favourite songs!
She she also likes wine hunting/collecting/ tasting, cooking & gift giving.

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