Headcoach Mark Smith, who makes his debut at this year’stournament
June 25, 2009
Surrey, BC
TEAM CANADA:
HOPING TO HIT AHOME RUN
AT CANADA CUP 2009
(TeamNamed at Canada Cup Media Event, Monday, June 29, 11am at Softball City,Surrey, BC)
(Surrey,B.C., Canada) It’s still a diamond in the rough and the bases are loaded forthe final selection of Team Canada 2009.
Headcoach Mark Smith, who makes his debut at this year’stournament, is homing in on the Canada Cup, choosing from a strongcontingent of veteran players from the 2008 Olympics as well as some excitingnew talent on base.
Fromthree Evaluation Camps, seventeen (17) athletes will be selected to joinreturning Olympians at a Tryout Camp in Victoria, BC from June 24thto 28th. From theseathletes, seventeen (17) will be selected to represent Canada thissummer. The names of these athletes will be formally named at the Canada CupMedia Event scheduled for Monday, June 29 at 11am at Softball City, 2201 – 148thSt., Surrey, BC.
There are10 athletes returning from the 2008 Canadian Olympic Team vying for selectionto the 2009 Team Canada roster, which should add valuable internationalexperience to the new team. They are:pitcher DanielleLawrie of Langley; Jennifer Sallingof Port Coquitlam; outfielder Melanie Matthews of Surrey; Jennifer Yee of North Delta;catcher Erin Cumpstone of Saskatoon,Saskatchewan; first base Sheena Lawrickof Calgary Alberta; Caitlin Lever ofBuffalo, New York; Robin Mackin ofNewmarket, Ontario; Kaleigh Rafterof Guelph, Ontario and Megan Timpfof Port Dover, Ontario.
TeamCanada will compete in the Canada CupInternational Women’s Fastpitch Tournament to be held July 4 - 12 at SoftballCity in Surrey and will once again try theirmettle against many of the world’s best.The Canada Cup, regarded as one of the premiere internationalcompetitions of its kind in the world, is a very important part of TeamCanada’s preparation for next year’s world championships.
With strong performances from key players like pitcher DanielleLawrie, recently named the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year,there are likely to be some intense competition as they face the USA,Australia, Netherlands and Venezuela in the International Division in CanadaCup play.
“It’s a constant measuring stick and a chance for us to know wherewe are in terms of world ranking,” says head coach Mark Smith “It’s a chance for us to continually assessourselves against other top countriesand to learn where we have to get better.”
The Canada Cup will give the Team Canada coaches a chance tomeasure athlete performance in preparation for theworld championships next summer in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and aworld-championship qualifying tournament in Venezuela just ahead in August.
“This year will be about assessing what it’s going to take to,first of all, qualify for the world championships and, second, to go into theworld championships and be a legitimate medal contender,” explains Smith.
The team will head off to compete in the US World Cup in OklahomaCity following their appearance at the Canada Cup.
The2009 Canada Cup is four tournaments in one event:
- 16th annual Canada Cup International Women’s Fastpitch Tournament July 4 – 12 at Softball City
- Eighth annual Canada Cup International Fastpitch Futures Tournament World Junior Women’s presented by MVP Athletic Supplies July 6-12 at Softball City and Cloverdale Athletic Park
- Fifth annual Canada Cup 16 & Under Fastpitch Showcase Tournament July 6-12 at Softball City and Cloverdale Athletic Park.
- The 12th Canada Cup Special Olympics Friendship Division Tournament, July 4 and 5 at Softball City.
SoftballCity is located at 2201 148 St.; Cloverdale Athletic Park is at 64 Avenue and168 Street, both in Surrey. For information on Canada Cup tickets, schedules,teams and other tournament details call 604-536-9287 or visit
www.canadacup.com
-30-
Mediarequiring further information or to RSVP to the Canada Cup media event contact Colleen Goodwin-Ryan:
