Troy University Athletics
O?Mara Joins Trojans as Asst. Softball Coach
9/5/2008 5:00:00 AM | Softball
TROY - Troy head softball coach Melanie Davis announced today the addition of Sharon O'Mara to her coaching staff. O'Mara, who has coached six Australian national championship teams, joins Jim Webb as assistants on Davis' staff as they prepare for the 2009 season.
O'Mara, a native of New South Wales, Australia, has served as the pitching coach for the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) since 2006. There she helped guide the team to a National Championship in January 2008 with one of her pitchers being named Pitcher of the Tournament after throwing a no-hitter in the finals.
Additionally, the NSW U-19 squad earned a national championship that same month. O'Mara has also coached multiple U-16 teams to National Championships including titles from 2003-2005 and 2001 along with a 3rd place finish in 2002.
“Sharon is an authority in the areas of both pitching and battery and is one of the most respected coaches in the Australian softball world. We are extremely excited to bring an international coach on board from one of the strongest programs outside the United States.
“The expertise she brings as a pitching and battery coach will prove most valuable as everyone readily admits the importance these two areas play in a program's overall success,” Coach Davis said.
O'Mara's coaching experience is not limited to Australia; in 2005 she completed a stint as pitching instructor at Westcoast Academy in Vancouver, British Columbia and also served as pitching instructor at the Higher Ground Softball Camp in Georgia.
“We have been successful recruiting in Australia in the past and having Sharon join our staff sends a strong message to the elite athletes of Australia as to the success and strength of our softball program as well as Troy University,” Davis said.
O'Mara's coaching experience is not limited to Australia; in 2005 she completed a stint as pitching instructor at Westcoast Academy in Vancouver, British Columbia and also served as pitching instructor at the Higher Ground Softball Camp in Georgia.
O'Mara has completed multiple International Softball Federation certification courses, including Level 5, the highest certification available, an accomplishment she completed in 1998. She also holds Level 5 certification from the Australian Softball Federation.
Since 2004, O'Mara has been featured as an instructor and lecturer by the Australian Softball Federation on the topics of pitching and catching. She has also served as Battery coach for the Australian U-19 Women's Squad from 2004 to 2007 working with State Institute players throughout Australia.
During 2005 and 2006, O'Mara served as pitching coach at the Australian Institute of Sport's pitching camp. Her first national level coaching experience came in 1998 when she served as the battery coach for the NSW U-14 team.
O'Mara got her coaching start with Manly Warringah where she coached from 1988 until 2007 serving as head coach, assistant coach and battery coach at various times. As a player O'Mara starred with NSW Schoolgirls in 1986 while winning a national championship before moving on to play with the Manly Warringah Open Squad from 1991-1996.
She also brings over 20 years of service in the financial industry with her to Troy. O'Mara acquired her Diploma of Financial Services in 1997 which certified her as a Financial Planner after serving as a loan officer and sales manager in the Australian banking industry.
O'Mara, a native of New South Wales, Australia, has served as the pitching coach for the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) since 2006. There she helped guide the team to a National Championship in January 2008 with one of her pitchers being named Pitcher of the Tournament after throwing a no-hitter in the finals.
Additionally, the NSW U-19 squad earned a national championship that same month. O'Mara has also coached multiple U-16 teams to National Championships including titles from 2003-2005 and 2001 along with a 3rd place finish in 2002.
“Sharon is an authority in the areas of both pitching and battery and is one of the most respected coaches in the Australian softball world. We are extremely excited to bring an international coach on board from one of the strongest programs outside the United States.
“The expertise she brings as a pitching and battery coach will prove most valuable as everyone readily admits the importance these two areas play in a program's overall success,” Coach Davis said.
O'Mara's coaching experience is not limited to Australia; in 2005 she completed a stint as pitching instructor at Westcoast Academy in Vancouver, British Columbia and also served as pitching instructor at the Higher Ground Softball Camp in Georgia.
“We have been successful recruiting in Australia in the past and having Sharon join our staff sends a strong message to the elite athletes of Australia as to the success and strength of our softball program as well as Troy University,” Davis said.
O'Mara's coaching experience is not limited to Australia; in 2005 she completed a stint as pitching instructor at Westcoast Academy in Vancouver, British Columbia and also served as pitching instructor at the Higher Ground Softball Camp in Georgia.
O'Mara has completed multiple International Softball Federation certification courses, including Level 5, the highest certification available, an accomplishment she completed in 1998. She also holds Level 5 certification from the Australian Softball Federation.
Since 2004, O'Mara has been featured as an instructor and lecturer by the Australian Softball Federation on the topics of pitching and catching. She has also served as Battery coach for the Australian U-19 Women's Squad from 2004 to 2007 working with State Institute players throughout Australia.
During 2005 and 2006, O'Mara served as pitching coach at the Australian Institute of Sport's pitching camp. Her first national level coaching experience came in 1998 when she served as the battery coach for the NSW U-14 team.
O'Mara got her coaching start with Manly Warringah where she coached from 1988 until 2007 serving as head coach, assistant coach and battery coach at various times. As a player O'Mara starred with NSW Schoolgirls in 1986 while winning a national championship before moving on to play with the Manly Warringah Open Squad from 1991-1996.
She also brings over 20 years of service in the financial industry with her to Troy. O'Mara acquired her Diploma of Financial Services in 1997 which certified her as a Financial Planner after serving as a loan officer and sales manager in the Australian banking industry.
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