CANADA’S LARGEST SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT TO HOST WORLD’S BEST FEMALE ATHLETES
Surrey, BC (Date) – The Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship, July 12-22, will see top-notch female athletes and teams from around the world compete for titles in six divisions. Over the course of 11 days, the tournament will play host to over 80 teams and 1,300 athletes competing in Women’s International, Women’s Elite, Futures Gold and Select Divisions (U19), and Showcase Gold and Select Divisions (U16).
The Women’s International Division takes place July 16-22 and features the world’s best fastpitch teams, including two-time Canadian Open Fastpitch champion and 2012 ISF Women’s World Champion, Team Japan. Team USA, Team Australia and Team Canada – 2nd, 3rd and 4th, respectively, at the 2012 ISF Women’s World Championship – will also join China-Nanjing and Team Venezuela on the field.
For the first time, the Canadian Open Fastpitch Society is excited to welcome a team from India – Champions Sport Club – making their Canadian Open Fastpitch debut in the Women’s Elite Division. Running July 13-21, this division showcases some of Canada’s top and rising female softball athletes, including the White Rock Renegades, the Quebec Rebelles and Team BC.
Both the Futures and the Showcase Divisions (Gold and Select) promises to showcase local and international talent as teams face off July 15-21 (Gold) and July 12-15 (Select). The tournament is devoted to providing young, high-caliber female athletes with the opportunity to expand their potential by hosting elite level fastpitch teams. It is one of the largest women’s-only sporting events in Canada and is among the top three fastpitch events in the world for 2013. For more information, visit www.canadianopenfastpitch.com.
PLAY BALL! BC’S YOUNGEST ATHLETES INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN FASTPITCH YOUTH CLINICS
Surrey, BC (Date) – BC’s youngest athletes are invited to play ball with the world’s best during Canada’s largest softball tournament, the Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship. The annual tournament, which runs July 12-22 in Surrey, BC, will host a Learn To Play clinic for kids ages 5-10 and Youth Clinics for girls and boys ages 8-16, where they’ll have the chance to meet and learn from some of the world’s top women’s softball teams.
Kicking off on Monday, July 15, this year’s series of Youth Clinics invites youth ages 8-16 to step onto the field at Sunnyside Park and learn from some of the world’s most accomplished and experienced female athletes. Participants will get the opportunity to learn new skills and strategies from top athletes on Team Australia, Team Venezuela, Team Canada, Team Japan and the California A’s, and to hear stories of the perseverance, dedication, and passion it took for these world class athletes to achieve their goals. Youth Clinics run from 9am to 11:30am, July 15-19.
For BC’s youngest players, Softball BC and Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch is hosting a Learn to Play Softball Clinic on Saturday, July 20 where participants will spend the day with expert Softball BC instructors learning the basics and experiencing the joy of softball. Two separate sessions, one for children ages 5-7 will be held from 9am-11am, and a clinic for children 8-10 will be held from 11am-1pm. All children will receive a complimentary t-shirt and the opportunity to join the Parade of Athletes on Wednesday, July 17.
Space is limited and available on a first come first serve basis. Registration can be completed online at www.canadianopenfastpitch.com.
About Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship:
The Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship is operated by the Canadian Open Fastpitch Society, a registered not-for-profit society that advocates and encourages development of the sport of softball by staging this first class, family oriented event. With a focus on the mantra ‘Celebrate. Inspire. Youth.’ the event is devoted to providing young, high-caliber female athletes the opportunity to expand their potential by hosting elite level fastpitch teams. Through the event, youth are exposed to many different opportunities including the potential for university and college scholarships, and an ongoing source of inspiration and mentorship. Additionally, it is an entertaining, fun-filled sporting experience for the Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch spectator.