It was the year that McDonald’s Happy Meals, the Walkman and Strawberry Shortcake was introduced to the world – and Bellevue’s Paul Goodall was introduced to the world of softball.

Goodall lived in Auckland and was a senior in high school in 1979 when a mate threw him a softball glove. He’s never looked back, dedicating 46 years to the sport – which has now honoured him nationally for his service.

At the 2025 Softball New Zealand Annual Awards in Christchurch on May 3, Goodall was named Administrator of the Year and also received the event’s top award – Softballer of the Year.

“It means the world,” said the 62-year-old, who is Western Bay of Plenty Softball Association president.

Mind-blowing

“[Winning] Administrator [of the Year] was great and I was happy with that – but to win the supreme award was mind-blowing!”

Goodall began playing softball at Long Bay College in Auckland after a peer asked him to practise with him. After a few throws, it was clear to the other student that Goodall had potential.

According to Goodall, his softball-playing friend said: “I tell you what mate, you’ve got a pretty accurate arm. You should play softball.”

In 1980, he joined East Coast Bays United Softball Club, then the North Harbour Softball Committee as a club delegate from 1982 and went to England to play from 1986-1994.

Returning to New Zealand in 1994, he rejoined East Coast Bays United and became club president from 2006-2012. Then it was across town to Birkdale Falcons Softball Club, where he became president in 2012.

The heart and backbone

After he’d “had enough of Auckland”, Goodall and his family moved to Tauranga, where his brother lived, in 2016. He became president of the Western Bay of Plenty Softball Association in 2017.

Goodall said softball wasn’t a big sport in Tauranga back then. The Western Bay Association had about 180 members. “There was no men’s competition, and there were few ladies’ teams and a few junior teams. It was trundling along but needed an injection of enthusiasm and knowledge. I’d had 35 years up at North Harbour softball, so I thought I was the right man for the job.”

Fast-forward to today, and Western Bay Softball boasts a range of men’s, women’s and junior teams – all thanks to Goodall. And, after combining with the Tauranga City Baseball club, WBOPSA now has more than 400 members.

As president, Paul Goodall aims to provide as many opportunities as possible for softball in the Bay of Plenty. Photo / Brydie Thompson.

At the awards night, Goodall was described as being “the heart and backbone of softball in the Bay of Plenty”.

“As president of WBOPSA, he wears countless hats – not by choice, but out of dedication to keeping the sport alive and thriving,” said his administrator award citation.

“He tirelessly runs the committee, organises draws, sets up the diamonds weekly, handles conflicts, umpires on Saturdays, and even oversees junior games – often single-handedly.

“Without Paul, softball in the BOP would be almost non-existent.

“His passion and commitment are unmatched, and despite the enormous workload, he remains accessible, reliable, and always willing to step in when needed. It’s a role few could handle, yet he does it without expectation of recognition.”

He was also recognised for ensuring players, coaches, and families can continue to enjoy the sport. “His efforts deserve to be acknowledged at a national level, as he truly exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding sports administrator.”

Day and night

WBOPSA vice-president Vance Tuheke, who has known Goodall since before softball, said he’s at the club “day and night”. “He’s done magnificent things for us,” Tuheke said. “He puts in way too many hours, and he has done great for our WBOP softball.”

And despite retiring from playing a few years ago, Goodall is keen to keep pushing the sport forward in the region in the role of president of the WBOP association, and umpiring games. “It’s my passion!”

His motto is that he “plays for the love of the game and the people that play the game”.

So he’ll keep communicating with teams, doing the secretarial and treasurer roles, looking after the grounds at Carlton Reserve, getting sponsors, putting in grant applications, co-ordinating rep teams and running committee meetings. “I do everything.”

So why softball? “It’s a very easy game to play and a lot of fun, and all over and done within a couple of hours, so it doesn’t take you a whole weekend.”

Goodall said the softball season starts up again on October 11 for seniors and November 1 for juniors. “There will be have-a-go days for the kids [in] the two weekends leading up to November 1.”

For more information, visit: www.sporty.co.nz/WBOPsoftball or go to the Western Bay of Plenty Softball Facebook page.