The trophy being competed for in the Australian U17 Girls' Championship is called the Esther Deason Shield so named as a tribute to the late Esther Deason, MBE, past President of the Australian Softball Federation (Softball Australia). Esther devoted most of her life to loyal service to the game of Softball throughout Australia and is a member of the ASF Hall of Fame, ISF Hall of Fame and is an ASF Life Member. 

Esther Deason was regarded as the leading lady of international Softball. Esther was, together with Marj Dwyer and Merle Short, instrumental in the first true World Softball Championship in Australia in 1965, and the formation of Softball in Australia in 1947. Her achievements are too numerous to list but Esther will be respectfully remembered for her deep passion for our sport. Esther's contributions were rewarded by ASF Life Membership, induction in ASF Hall of Fame and ISF Hall of Fame. 

In 2011 the U16 Girls’ Championships transitioned to an U17 Girls’ Championship. Whilst the age group for this Championship has changed the Esther Deason Shield was not lost. 

Information provided courtesy of Softball Australia (www.softball.org.au)