News and Press

Fresh coffee Sunday Morning as a heavy Brisbane heat rises after a comfortably cool week. There are two handsomely clad puppies at my feet with two obvious objections 1. Me still calling them puppies after 10 years 2. Their ‘to-die-for’ Lhasa Apso Coats. They are huffing, puffing and pleading with me to be naked and old. I assure them, my secret desire is to be equally at ease with that prospect too.

We are familiar with Floods in Australia, especially in 2011. “An afterflow of an expanse of something” I am told. There is also Flood of Emotion and Flood of Thought, both of which I have succumbed to this morning. It was not of my own design but rather a random burst of feminine fractals from some invisible well or source.

The first wall of thought and emotion to hit arrived while reading an Internet News Release on my iPhone. It was announced last October and Awarded on Saturday, 10th December in Oslo – the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize to 3 African Women who have fought injustice, corruption, dictatorship and sexual violence in Liberia and Yemen. The 3 women were Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberian President), Leymah Gbowee (Yemeni Womens Rights Campaigner) and Tawakkul Karman (Liberian Female Icon of Womens Rights). Please tune in to this video if you’re inspired: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lyqOM7flE8

The next wall to hit came in the form of song on the drive home from the newsagency, “Yoke” by the Indigo Girls. With its carefully carved out lyrics by Amy Ray and the “hauntingly urgent” string arrangement from violinist Luke Butt, the beauty and strength of the 3 African Women resonated through me like sacred drumming.

There is an emotion or a movement, a pull or push deep within women, void of distraction, where they just know what is best for everyone.

Whether a Flood of Thought or a developing Production, I was picked up and swept away by this Sunday Morning mini-movement. My newspaper opened up to “Kylie Lang on Sunday” and her article on women, “Ageing a State of Mind”. The article was a fun read that covered women and our perceptions on what is beautiful with ageing. “What I find inspiring is the beauty of ageing that comes through an active mind, good grace and a generous helping of positive thinking” writes Lang. This commentary pointed my attention to a dusty book on my shelf that I purchased a few years ago in a quaint, seaside Bookstore in White Rock, BC, Canada… “Wise Women: A celebration of Their Insights, Courage and Beauty”, by Joyce Tenneson.  The book is a celebration through portrait and interview of the power and beauty of women aged 60-101 years of age. My endeared favourite was Clara Holm, aged 101, her angelic photograph and wisdom:

“A sage knows there is both the wisdom of the Universe and of man – and finds a balance between the two.”

As I softly flicked through the pages of this precious book, it became even more evident to me that as Women grow older, we should love them more than we ever have.

So the Production comes to a close with Clara’s Wisdom. It is here I thank the 3 African Female 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winners, the Indigo Girls, Kylie Lang, Jane Tenneson, and of course Clara. I feel like we have been sitting around the table on my back deck together and maybe, such a magical place does exist. Surely with all our emotions, empathies and movements, we are capable of constructing invisible, interconnecting safe havens where we can assemble together at any time and in any place.

A storm is cracking across the South East Queensland sky as this journal on Dec 11th, 2011 draws its curtain. A great opportunity to jump into my runners, hit the pavement along the banks of the Brisbane River and keep this heart pounding and hungry.

Double numbers have been a prominent feature throughout my life. And so it was Qantas Flight 22 in the 11th Month of 2011 who delivered me home to Australia from Japan for the last time. I concluded my Softball Career in the 44th season of the Japan Softball League, marking my 11th year. This on top of 4 Olympic Games (4 Medals) and 4 World Championships (4 Medals), I have finally placed my glove and cleats to rest in a place I can no longer reach. There was no fairytale ending for me, I’d let too many of those chances pass me by. Deep down, I needed to burn myself up. I loved it so much for so long, the only way to leave it was to have nothing left to give. So here I sit on a sun-soaked back deck, in the quiet of retirement, on a weightless Sunday afternoon. I have absolutely nothing ‘Softball’ to prepare for anymore. No tournament, no Camp, no 2012 Season… only dinner tonight. Preparation will still always be everything!

I enjoy flying alone. Closer to the stars and moving through time and space in an airplane always sparks a creative flow within me.  Thanks to Renesas Electronics, I had my Skybed, which I never put to much practical use but appreciate the space and comfort. An inch in an airplane is like a square meter in your home. I reflected on my time in Japan and what I had offered, what I had learned, what I had gained. Some lessons were softball specific but the big ones were about interactions, behaviour and relationships.  I have 3 views on my time playing softball in Japan:

1.A HEROIC VIEW: the Japanese Softball League is one of the best platforms in the World for Women’s Sport. The level of professionalism, sacrifice, discipline, enthusiasm and competitiveness is top shelf, 1st Class, A-grade standard. 

2. A POETIC VIEW: we both shared a deep respect for Chaos Theory. One ensured the right time and right place, the other has faith in arriving in the right time and place.

3. A PRAGMATIC VIEW: it was a daily arena of challenges, extreme highs and mind-boggling lows and silences. As a foreigner, it could also be one of the loneliest places on the planet.

When I put these together, I picture a dynamic classroom with outstanding instructors and students. I have spent the last 11 years learning and I’m looking forward to spending the next 11+ years living it all out.

The new Irish President, Michael D. Higgins was quoted in the paper today, saying “It is time to turn to older wisdom” in rebuilding Irelands battered economy. Mr Higgins called for a “Republic founded on Community Spirit instead of Individual Materialism”. I look at our sport around the World since we were dropped from the Olympic Program and I guess it feels a bit battered too. I was down at the Brisbane Local Softball fixture yesterday watching some friends play in a game. I’d much rather be down there cheering, laughing and hanging out with them then driving past in a fancy car tooting my horn. The world is awakening to the power of Mass Movements and that’s where I want to contribute my energy – to life giving, World-Shaping Movements. The Sport of Softball is in a great 'ground-roots' position to produce its own Movement, we just need the people energy and ‘Old Wisdom’ to drive it.

Finally, my guitars are a bit dusty but they’ll be put to work soon as I fumble around searching for new melodies for new songs. I have a few collaborations in the pipeline as well as a new look website and have more than enough time on my hands to dig in and create momentum for it all.

As for those double numbers, I’m uncertain to their significance but I enjoy their company and how they unveil themselves ever so cleverly and patiently over time.

Thank you Japan Softball for 11 wonderful years!!!!!!!

Softball great inducted into the 2011 Hall of Honour (Article courtesy of Softball Australia www.softball.org.au)

Internationally renowned as one of Australia's most successful pitchers, Mel Roche has been inducted into the Oklahoma State University 2011 Hall of Honour.

Mel (pictured left with Tracey Mosley) first represented Australia in 1988 at the Bicentennial Challenge Test Series held in Canberra and enjoyed an international Softball career that spanned 20 years. She played 229 games for Australia which included four World Championships (1990, 1994, 1998, 2006) and four Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008). Mel, along with Tanya Harding and Natalie Ward, are the only female athletes in Australia's Olympic history to compete at 4 consecutive Olympic Games and medal at each of them. She currently resides in Japan, representing Renesas Electonics.

Mel officially retired from the Australian Softball team in July 2010 and will be remembered for her competitive nature, passion for the sport and her ability to perform on the international arena against the best Softball players from around the world.

Congratulations Mel!
  

This is one of my favourite interviews so far. The writer, Matt Johnston, has done a great job in capturing the essence within and behind my music. The interview took place amidst the Powerhouse Museum on the Brisbane River, which is the location for the photo shoot too.

Performing a live Acoustic Promotional Gig at the SAL Friendship Series at Blacktown Olympic Park on Thursday July 8th @ 12:45pm.  The Australian Softball Captain, Stacey Porter, has just returned from the Softball World Championships in Venezuela and will be joining in the fun and available for autographs!

By Bonnie Hislop

With four Olympic Games under her belt, Australian Softballer Mel Roche is taking on a whole new playing field, as a singer/songwriter.

Mel’s debut EP, In Full Flight, was launched in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley on June 5 and is now available for purchase on her website, encompassing a unique Australian vibe and dedication to her love of Softball.

The website, which was developed by Brisbane Web Agency Feedia, is in itself a reflection of her individuality and hope to share her combined love for music and sport. “Sport and music are one and the same. They’re amazing ways to express yourself, what’s really happening under your skin,” Ms Roche said.

“Feedia have done an amazing job in creating a unique website for a unique project.”

Through the website, fans can read the stories behind Mel’s songs and listen to tracks with the lyrics in front of them. Mel says she herself has never seen this on any other website. “Maybe a band like U2 don’t require this format, but it is perfect for the style and purpose of my project.” Ms Roche said.

Mel’s mother introduced her to music as a child around the same time she started playing her first sport, Netball, which eventually evolved into a successful Softball career. While she maintained an Interest in singing/ song writing throughout this time, Mel always regarded it as a hobby rather than a professional avenue. “I can honestly say I never really had a dream to release my own EP!” Ms Roche said.

It was an unfortunate setback to her professional Softball career that prompted Mel to explore her musical talents further.

In October 2009, the International Olympic Committee removed softball from the 2016 Olympic Games. While this development was a significant blow to her and her teammates, it formed the inspiration for In Full Flight as her contribution to the sport and its community. Ms Roche said, “Our Olympic legacy was wiped out and our young athletes' dreams shattered. I was driven to the core to do something to gel these pieces together again.”

Mel’s songs intend to “Embrace anyone who is passionate about life.”

Her main hope for the CD is to unite Australians and the International Softball community.