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Canadian Women's Softball Team Named for
2015 Pan Am Games

15 Athletes Chosen to Represent Canada

OTTAWA - The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Softball Canada are pleased to announce the fifteen (15) Women’s National Softball Team athletes who have been selected to represent Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games from July 19 to 26 in Ajax, Ontario. The final roster was determined following a Selection Camp held in Clearwater, Florida in December.

The Canadian roster features four Olympians from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Kaleigh Rafter (Guelph, ON), Jenn Salling (Port Coquitlam, BC), Megan Timpf (Port Dover, ON) and Jen Yee (North Delta, BC), as well as four additional returning players from the 2011 Pan American Games held in Guadalajara: Jenna Caira (Toronto, ON), Jocelyn Cater (Delta, BC), Victoria Hayward (Toronto, ON) and Joey Lye (Toronto, ON).

The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team has been very successful at the Pan American Games, winning seven of nine possible medals at the event. Since the last time the Pan American Games were held in Canada (Winnipeg, 1999), the team has won four consecutive Silver medals. The United States have won seven straight gold medals, with Canada being the only other country to win gold when they did so in 1983. Other countries who have qualified for the 2015 Pan American Games are Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team salutes the crowd after receiving their silver medals at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Canadian Women’s National Team will compete at the United States World Cup of Softball from June 26 to July 5 in Irvine, California and the Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship from July 6 to 14 in Surrey, BC leading up to the Pan American Games.

Canada will field the largest team in its Pan American Games history with over 700 athletes expected to be named to the Team at the Games in Toronto. With TORONTO 2015 providing a “Home Games” experience, as well as a number of qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, these Games will provide a tremendous experience for Canada’s high performance athletes.

QUOTES

"Canadian women's softball is our first 2015 Pan American Games team nomination," said Aubut. "This Team has a tremendous history at the Pan Am Games, winning seven medals out of a possible nine.  I have full confidence these athletes will make Canada proud as we welcome the Americas to the golden horseshoe in July."

Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee

“We are excited about our team for the 2015 season” said Smith. “The athletes put in the work throughout the fall and showed up ready to earn their opportunity. Now we prepare for an exciting summer ahead.”

Mark Smith, Head Coach, Canadian Women’s National Softball Team

“I am extremely honoured to represent Team Canada this year at the Pan American Games in Toronto” said Jenna Caira, a member of the Women’s National Team since 2009. “Having the opportunity to put on the Canadian jersey in my home city in front of my family and friends is something I have always dreamed of. The Canadian National Softball Team is excited to have the town of Ajax host our softball event and we look forward to our Canadian fans coming out to support the team on home soil.”

Jenna Caira, Canadian Women’s National Softball Team

The athletes who will represent Canada at Toronto 2015 as members of the 2015 Women’s National Softball Team are:

Athletes

Alternate Players

Coaching Staff

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For more information, please contact:

Softball Canada:

Gilles LeBlanc
Manager, Marketing and Communications
gleblanc@softball.ca
613-523-3386 ext. 3105

Canadian Olympic Committee:

Cherry Ye, Coordinator, Corporate Communications
Tel: 416-324-4123 / Cell: 416-427-4341
Email: cye@olympic.ca

Yvon Long, Senior Manager, Media Relations
Tel: 514-861-5180 / Cell: 514-206-6720
Email: ylong@olympic.ca