INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS

INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS AND COMPETITION

Softball New Zealand welcomes International Players into our Compeition.  However in August 2024, the WBSC announced the implementation of the new Athlete Transfer Rules, which came into effect from 1 January 2025. 

The Athlete Transfer Rules will help create a level playing field regarding transfers across the World Baseball Softball Confederation's (WBSC) jurisdiction and protect the global system, applying to all athletes aged 18 or older.

  • An International Transfer Certificate (ITC) is required for all transfers between clubs affiliated with different National Federations.
  • For transfers between National Federations (NFs) within the same continent, the Continental Association (CA) will handle the process.
  • For transfers involving NFs from different Continents, the WBSC will issue the certificate. 

The National Federation must approve the transfer, confirming that there are no ongoing sanctions, disciplinary proceedings, or unresolved economic disputes involving the athlete. Without this approval, the ITC cannot be issued. Communication and processing with the WBSC or WBSC CA must occur through the National Federation; clubs should not contact the WBSC directly.

Note: Athletes and Clubs should not contact Softball NZ directly when transferring overseas. 

  • The process is:  Athlete → Club → Association → SNZ → WBSC
  • You can view the International Clearance list HERE 
  • The WBSC Transfer List outlines clearance status and lodged ITC applications from the past 12 months.

PLAYERS ARRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND FROM AUSTRALIA

This is inclusive of athletes returning to local competition to play. All athletes arriving in New Zealand must complete / provide their receiving club and association with the following before arriving in New Zealand:

  • Copy of the Athlete's Passport
  • An Information Form for ITCThis needs to be signed by the athlete, their sending club, their receiving clubs and their National Federation before being presented to Softball New Zealand.
  • Proof of Payment (if transferring for over 31 days)**
  • A completed Permit to Play Overseas. 

Note: Athletes and clubs should not contact Softball NZ directly.

  • The Process Flow is:  Athlete → Club → Association → SNZ → WBSC 

Once your club has received the documentation, and made payment to WBSC Oceania, please provide that to your association. The association will then provide the received documentation to Softball New Zealand, who will then submit an application through the WBSC International Clearance portal. Please note that all documentation mentioned above must be completed for an ITC to be processed through the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) portal.

Please allow up to seven (7) working days for this process to be completed after all documentation has been provided to Softball New Zealand.

Once the WBSC has authorized the transfer, and received payment (if applicable), only then will the athlete be cleared to compete in Local/Regional competition within New Zealand. Please note that ALL athlete transfers need to come to Softball New Zealand from the association and should not come from clubs directly. 

Bank details for AUSTRALIAN TRANSFERS ONLY

  • Transfers from all other national federations must use THIS form. 
  • Name: Baseball Confederation of Oceania
  • BSB: 06 3000
  • Account Number: 12 590 807
  • SWIFT Code: CTBAAU2S
  • Amount: $100 USD 

** The issuance of the ITC is conditional upon the New Club paying the fees set by the WBSC Executive Board. After proof of payment of the required fees, the competent authority will issue the ITC.

PLAYERS ARRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND FROM OUTSIDE OCEANIA

This is inclusive of athletes returning to local competition to play. All athletes arriving in New Zealand must complete / provide their receiving club and association with the following before arriving in New Zealand:

  • Copy of the Athlete's Passport
  • An Information Form for ITCThis needs to be signed by the athlete, their sending club, their receiving clubs and their National Federation before being presented to Softball New Zealand.
  • Proof of Payment (if transferring for over 31 days)**

Note: Athletes and clubs should not contact SNZ directly.

  • The Process Flow is: Athlete → Club → Association → SNZ → WBSC

Once your club has received the documentation, and requested an invoice for payment, please provide that to your association. The association will then provide the received documentation to Softball New Zealand, who will then submit an application through the WBSC International Clearance portal. Please note that all documentation mentioned above must be completed for an ITC to be processed through the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) portal.

Please allow up to seven (7) working days for this process to be completed after all documentation has been provided to Softball New Zealand.

Once the WBSC has authorized the transfer, and received payment (if applicable), only then will the athlete be cleared to compete in Local/Regional competition within New Zealand. The issuance of the ITC is conditional upon the New Club paying the fees set by the WBSC Executive Board. After proof of payment of the required fees, the competent authority will issue the ITC.​​​​​​​

PLAYERS LEAVING NEW ZEALAND

Whether New Zealand athletes heading overseas play in another country (either permanently or for a specified period), or international athletes returning home. You must complete / provide their association with the following before departing New Zealand.

  • Copy of the Athlete's Passport
  • An Information Form for ITCThis needs to be signed by the athlete and their sending NZ club before being sent by their registered association to Softball New Zealand to ensure there are no outstanding disciplinary proceedings or outstanding finances associated with the athlete. 

The association will then provide the received documentation to Softball New Zealand, who will include approval from the National Federation, before this is emailed through to the athletes receiving club / association / national federation. Please note that all documentation mentioned above must be completed for an International Clearance Certificate (ITC) to be processed through the MyWBSC portal. 

Please note that ALL athlete transfers need to come to Softball New Zealand from the association and should not come from clubs directly. The reason for this being that while the World Baseball Softball Confederation ITC system does not require sign-off from an association - as many Federations to not operate the same way as Softball New Zealand - we are requesting this to ensure there are no ongoing sanctions or disciplinary proceedings for the athlete. 

Note: Athletes and clubs should not contact SNZ directly.

  • The Process Flow is: Athlete → Club → Association → SNZ → WBSC

TEMPORARY LOAN PLAYERS

For athletes either (i) arriving in New Zealand or (ii) departing New Zealand play in another country for a less than 31-Days (i.e Tournaments) - these athletes have an exemption from payment under Article 10.3.1 of the Athlete Transfer Rules. To complete a short-term loan, you must provide Softball New Zealand with the following;

  • Copy of the Athlete's Passport
  • An Information Form for ITC, signed by the athlete and their club. This must include all information, including travel period. 
  • For athletes arriving from Australia, they will also require a Permit to Play Overseas. 

Athletes competing under Article 10.3.1 do not have to pay a transfer fee provided the duration of their travel is less than 31 days. The WBSC define these as 'temporary loans'. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please click HERE to for access to Frequently Asked Questions document around the International Clearance Certificate, including details on payment. Please be aware that this fee must be paid each time an Athlete has to make a transfer between continents and/or countries. Below are some quick guides to the process of the International Transfer certificate:

  • Oceania Transfer Cost: $100 USD (New reduced fee)
  • International Transfer Cost: $200 USD (New reduced Fee)
  • An ITC is not required for athletes under 18 years of age
  • The cost does not apply to athletes transferring for 31 days or less (i.e tournaments)
  • Download a copy of the WBSC Athlete Transfer Rules here.
  • Download a copy of the WBSC Appendix 01 here.
  • Download a copy of the WBSC Appendix 02 here.