With more than 30 colleges and universities now offering varsity or club programs across the country, the landscape for women91裸聊视频檚 softball in Canada has never been more fertile.
On Saturday, Calgary91裸聊视频檚 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, SAIT91裸聊视频檚 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.
Trojans91裸聊视频� head coach and general manager George Edwards expects this weekend91裸聊视频檚 visit will show young players from B.C.91裸聊视频檚 interior that pursuing college softball in Canada is a viable option.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 an opportunity for girls in that region of B.C. to see some college ball and realize that they91裸聊视频檙e not that far off,91裸聊视频� said Edwards, whose program also features players from Mount Royal in Calgary. 91裸聊视频淭hey have a chance to chase their dreams right here in Canada. For our team, it91裸聊视频檚 also a good opportunity to recruit.91裸聊视频�
Edwards said the WCSA is hoping to soon expand into B.C. and that Kelowna91裸聊视频攑referably at UBC Okanagan91裸聊视频攚ould be a prime location for a new club.
91裸聊视频淲e want to introduce the idea of college softball to Kelowna and hopefully one day we91裸聊视频檒l see a team at UBC Okanagan,91裸聊视频� Edwards said. 91裸聊视频淲e believe Kelowna would be an ideal spot, and maybe even Kamloops91裸聊视频hey would be good additions to our league.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e watched the league increase in quality, stature and awareness over the years and this would be another step in that direction.91裸聊视频�
Like most college programs in Canada, the Trojans aren91裸聊视频檛 funded by their institution and cover their own costs by fundraising and with player91裸聊视频檚 fees.
Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 Racquel Bennett will play for the Okanagan team in Saturday91裸聊视频檚 doubleheader. The 17-year-old catcher91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淚 think it91裸聊视频檚 an important event for the exposure we91裸聊视频檒l get,91裸聊视频� said Bennett. 91裸聊视频淵ou get a chance to meet some coaches, and with the contacts they have at other colleges and universities, it91裸聊视频檚 a good way to maybe get some interest.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檒l also be good to see the quality of softball and what it takes to play at that level. It should be fun.91裸聊视频�
The Okanagan team consists of past and present members of the Kelowna Minor Fastball Society91裸聊视频檚 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.
Saturday91裸聊视频檚 games at Kings Stadium are set for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission to both games is free.
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