The Rick Mercer Report (RMR) has announced the episode including the Ontario Intercollegiate Women’s Fastpitch Association (OIWFA) segment will air on Tuesday, November 6th at 8:00 pm EST and repeat on Friday, November 9th at 8:30 pm EST on your local CBC station.
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Recorded during the OIWFA Provincial Championships in London, Ontario on October 19-21, RMR filmed a piece to raise awareness to the over 200 student-athletes that compete in the OIWFA every year and receive minimal funding or recognition as a non-varsity sport. Â Throughout the weekend, Rick was astonished with the dedication and passion these athletes have for the game of softball and added his tasteful wit and humour in appreciation of the female-athletes that continue to compete at a high level despite receiving minimal recognition as elite athletes. The filming included interviews with OIWFA executive, athletes, coaches, and parents as well as technical segments with athletes teaching Rick to bat, pitch, catch, and field. Highlighting the weekend was Rick being involved in a round-robin game between the Laurier Golden Hawks and Queens Gaels squads.
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The OIWFA is grateful to its great partnerships that attest to the commitment of the league including Softball Canada, Softball Ontario, PWSA-Ontario, Home Run Sports, Rawlings-Worth, and Cornerstone Courier – Kitchener.
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OIWFA will also be releasing a ‘You Can Play’ Public Service Announcement in the coming weeks to raise awareness to reduce homophobia in sport. The OIWFA will be the first University sport in Canada to have their official PSA completed.
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The RMR broadcast promises to add a humorous twist to the game of softball and continue to push for recognition of the sport at the varsity level in Ontario and Canada. For more information on the broadcast or the OIWFA, please contact Matt Allen, President via email at matt_allen44 (at) hotmail.com
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