With more than 30 colleges and universities now offering varsity or club programs across the country, the landscape for women乌鸦传媒檚 softball in Canada has never been more fertile.
On Saturday, Calgary乌鸦传媒檚 will bring their brand of college ball to Kelowna for a pair of exhibition games at Kings Stadium against the Okanagan All-Stars.
The Trojans are members of the five-team . Established in 2003, the WCSA also features clubs from University of Calgary, Briercrest College, University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan.
This season, SAIT乌鸦传媒檚 roster included Nina Hendricks, a pitcher with the Dutch junior nationals, as well as WCSA all-stars Hayley St. Germaine, Tori Stavenjord and Alissa Bender.
Trojans乌鸦传媒� head coach and general manager George Edwards expects this weekend乌鸦传媒檚 visit will show young players from B.C.乌鸦传媒檚 interior that pursuing college softball in Canada is a viable option.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 an opportunity for girls in that region of B.C. to see some college ball and realize that they乌鸦传媒檙e not that far off,乌鸦传媒� said Edwards, whose program also features players from Mount Royal in Calgary. 乌鸦传媒淭hey have a chance to chase their dreams right here in Canada. For our team, it乌鸦传媒檚 also a good opportunity to recruit.乌鸦传媒�
Edwards said the WCSA is hoping to soon expand into B.C. and that Kelowna乌鸦传媒攑referably at UBC Okanagan乌鸦传媒攚ould be a prime location for a new club.
乌鸦传媒淲e want to introduce the idea of college softball to Kelowna and hopefully one day we乌鸦传媒檒l see a team at UBC Okanagan,乌鸦传媒� Edwards said. 乌鸦传媒淲e believe Kelowna would be an ideal spot, and maybe even Kamloops乌鸦传媒hey would be good additions to our league.
乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檝e watched the league increase in quality, stature and awareness over the years and this would be another step in that direction.乌鸦传媒�
Like most college programs in Canada, the Trojans aren乌鸦传媒檛 funded by their institution and cover their own costs by fundraising and with player乌鸦传媒檚 fees.
Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 Racquel Bennett will play for the Okanagan team in Saturday乌鸦传媒檚 doubleheader. The 17-year-old catcher乌鸦传媒檚 options for next season include the University of Calgary or University of Toronto programs.
Bennett is looking forward to connecting with college coaches this weekend and sharing the same field with players who have already made the step into collegiate ball.
乌鸦传媒淚 think it乌鸦传媒檚 an important event for the exposure we乌鸦传媒檒l get,乌鸦传媒� said Bennett. 乌鸦传媒淵ou get a chance to meet some coaches, and with the contacts they have at other colleges and universities, it乌鸦传媒檚 a good way to maybe get some interest.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檒l also be good to see the quality of softball and what it takes to play at that level. It should be fun.乌鸦传媒�
The Okanagan team consists of past and present members of the Kelowna Minor Fastball Society乌鸦传媒檚 Heat programs, as well as players currently attending UBCO.
Players with college experience suiting up for the home team on Saturday are: Rachel Penner, Oklahoma City University; Brittany Smith, Bacone College; Danielle Orr, Seward County Community College; Felisha Vogelaar; Seward County Community College; and Samantha Fillion, Team Canada ID camp attendee.
Rounding out the local all-stars are former and current Kelowna Heat players Racquel Bennett, Haley Martin, Marlayna Martin, Katie Huston, Dani Knopf and Emily Wright, and UBCO student Andi Zehr.
Saturday乌鸦传媒檚 games at Kings Stadium are set for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission to both games is free.
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