The Manitoba Thunder is looking for an additional player, born in 1999 or later to be added to our U16 "A" Team commencing for this upcoming 2015 Season. Interested parties please contact our Head Coach Tim Nichols 1-204-871-4976 or email Tim at tnichols28@mymts.net .

A U18 team in the NESA area is looking for pitchers. If you're interested in pitching for this team please contact Frank Verbong at 204-250-1089 or by email jverbong@hotmail.com.

Softball Manitoba is hosting a Spring Break 3-Day Skills Clinic. Skill areas taught will include Throwing, Catching, Fielding, Hitting, Base Running and Sliding. Participants are asked to bring gym wear, running shoes, a glove, a helmet and a bat (if you have one, if not one will be provided)

Clinic Dates: March 31 - April 2, 2015
Cost: $60.00

Clinic Times:
MORNING SESSION: (Ages 7-10 years) 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
AFTERNOON SESSION: (Ages 11 - 14 years) 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Each session is open to the first 30 paid participants
Location: Home Run Sports Training Centre - 905 King Edward St. Winnipeg MB.

Deadline to register is Monday, March 23, 2015.

If you're interested in registering for a clinic please contact Carol at: 204-925-5673 or via email: softball@softball.mb.ca

Ashley Lanz will be hosting a pitching clinic in St. Vital for beginner to intermediate level pitchers. The session will focus on fundamentals, mechanics, preparation for outdoor season and depending on skill level exploring 1 new pitch of desire.

Each athlete will receive a free t-shirt for registering.

Clinic Dates:
Sat, February 21st: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fri, February 27th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sun, March 1st: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sun, March 8th: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sun, March 15th: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sun, March 29th: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cost:
$80.00 payable at first clinic

Location:
Greendell Park Community Centre - 75 Woodlawn Ave.

Maximum of 8 athletes will be accepted.

If you are interested in attending this class please email Ashley at: ashley_lanz@hotmail.com or call at 204-801-8547.

Softball Manitoba is pleased to extend an invitation to interested candidates for the Head Coach Position of the U16 Female Regional Team Programs that will participate in the 2016 Power Smart Manitoba Summer Games.

Revised Deadline for application is February 23, 2015

Richmond will be THE place to be for softball umpires from coast to coast from March 25-27, 2016 as Softball Canada and the Softball British Columbia Umpire Associations host BLUE CONVENTION 2016 – three great days of learning and connecting. Whether you’re a veteran or a brand new Level I / junior umpire you will find something to upgrade your game. Learn from the best in the sport from all over the world. We’ll have youth clinics and sessions for new(er) umpires, plus Level IV and Instructor / Evaluator clinics wrapped around the main conference. Registration is open NOW!!

For more information visit the Softball Canada website by clicking on the link below.

https://http://www.softball.ca/english/newsletters/february-2015/2016-blue-convention.htm'

Softball Manitoba is in the process of scheduling the 2015 Coaching Certification Clinics. We will be updating the schedule regularly with new clinic dates. The Winnipeg clinics will be held at the Home Run Sports Training Centre located at 905 King Edward Street, Winnipeg MB.

All “A” teams (excluding U12”A”) attending Provincials, Western Canadians and Canadian Championships are required to have 1 coach on the roster who has completed the Competition Introduction Course and is participating in the coaching of the team during competition.

Teams registered in a U10 B/C, U12 A/B/C, U14 B/C, U16 B/C and U18 B/C will require a Community Softball level coach to be signed on their roster and participating in the coaching of the team during competition.

The cost for attending a coach certification clinic is as follows:

Community Softball: $150.00
Competition Introduction: $300.00

If you're interested in registering for a clinic please contact Carol at: 204-925-5673 or via email: softball@softball.mb.ca

The Softball Canada Hall of Fame exists to honour those individuals and teams who have served and represented fast pitch, orthodox and slo-pitch softball. Prolonged and meritorious performances while a member of Softball Canada at the national and international level will be recognized.

Nominations for athletes, coaches, officials, builders and teams for induction into Softball Canada’s Hall of Fame are being accepted until April 1, 2015. A maximum of five (5) new members will be chosen to be inducted on Saturday, November 14th during Softball Canada’s Annual General Meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Potential Nominations must be in the Softball Manitoba Office no later than March 23rd.
NO EXCEPTIONS.

This year’s inductees will be from the Central region; Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Northwest Territories. The criteria for acceptance and nomination forms are available at . All applications must be approved by their respective Provincial/Territorial association.

To download the nomination form click on the link below.

http://www.softball.ca/english/about/hall-of-fame.html'

2015 Spring CANPitch Clinic

Clinic Dates: Sunday, March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th & April 12th & 19th, 2015

Session 1: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Session is now full!
Session 2: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Session is now full!
Maximum number of students per session - 10

Location:
Winakwa Community Centre, 980 Winakwa Road.

Cost:
$150 per participant. Payment can be made at first session.

Each student should come with a parent catcher.

To register please email Greg Bouchard at: bouch18@mts.net and include your child's birthdate and full name.

On behalf of the UDC and Softball Manitoba - Congratulations to Westman Region UIC Bruce Luebke. The Manitoba Sportscasters-Sportswriters Association inducted the Brandon Wheat Kings play-by-play voice of CKLQ, into the Manitoba Media Roll of Honour for his dedicated service in sports journalism.

Congrats Bruce!

Congratulations goes out to Team Toba '13 alumna Brittany Hince Siwicki for her outstanding achievements in 2014 while attending University of British Columbia where she plays softball for the Thunderbirds.

Britt was named an Academic All-Canadian for 2013-2014, an award handed out to varsity athletes who achieve a year long academic average of over 80%. Her average in the Fall 2014 term was an outstanding 91%, so she was well above the mark!

In addition, Britt was also awarded the "Twenty-8 Award" for academic achievement. This award is handed out to one athlete from each female varsity athletics team for achieving the highest academic average of all the players on her team. Britt received this award in October 2014.

Britt has spent the last 2 Summers working in the Softball Manitoba office and she will be back again this year.

Way to go Britt! Softball Manitoba is very proud of you.

The Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame and Museum is holding it's 14th Annual Dinner & Induction Ceremony at the Keystone Centre in Brandon MB on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Les Newman at 204-235-1674

Clink on the link below to view a draft of the 2015 Softball Competition Calendar. This document will be updated with contact information and locations as Provinces bid to host the Canadian Championships.

Manitoba Angels Fastball is Looking for U12 "A" Players

Manitoba Angels Fastball is currently looking for girls that would like to play “A” level softball in the U12 category of the Manitoba Ladies Super Softball League.

If your daughter was born in 2003 or 2004 and may be interested in playing please contact the following for further information

Shawn Paluck: shawnpaluck@gmail.com

Larry Giesbrecht: larc1@mymts.net

2015 Western Canada Summer Games Softball – Team Toba

The 2015 Western Canada Summer Games are fast approaching and the team is training hard. You can follow them on the Team Toba Blog.

Check it out! http://teamtobasoftball.blogspot.ca

Softball Canada is pleased to announce a series of Regional Identification Camps for the Junior Women's National Team program in preparation for the 2015 ISF XI Junior Women’s World Championship.

The first of three regional identification camps will take place May 22-24 in Cloverdale, BC. The second regional identification camp will take place May 29-31 in Saskatoon, SK and the third regional identification camp will take place June 12-14 in Brampton, ON. Fields and times will be confirmed at a later date. From these identification camps, Softball Canada will select up to 26 athletes to participate in a final selection camp that will be held June 27-30 in Cloverdale, BC.

The 2015 Junior Women’s National Team schedule is as follows:

May 22 - 24, 2015
Western Identification Camp
Cloverdale, BC

May 29 - 31, 2015
Central Identification Camp
Saskatoon, SK

June 12 - 14, 2015
Eastern Identification Camp
Brampton, ON

June 27 - 30, 2015
Final Selection Camp
Cloverdale, BC

July 1 - 13, 2015
Team Training/Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship
Cloverdale/Surrey, BC

July 30 - August 5, 2015
Pre-Worlds Training Camp
Brampton, ON

August 6 - 15, 2015
ISF Junior Women's World Championship
Oklahoma City, OK

Regional Camp Registration Fee: $100.00
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2015
Note: Players who are invited to the Final Selection Camp will be required to pay an additional $300.00.

For more information and to register click on the link below:

https://http://www.softball.ca/english/newsletters/february-2015/womenas-national-team-information.htm'

Softball Manitoba offers two bursaries - Softball Manitoba Bursary and the Eugene Michalow Memorial Bursary.

The deadline to apply is AUGUST 1st.

Softball Canada offers the Ethel Boyce Achievement Award for all registered softball players enrolled at a Canadian Post-Secondary Institution. The deadline to apply is September 15th.

This Bursary is to be presented annually by Softball Manitoba to a student/athlete who exhibits exemplary sportsmanship and dedication to Softball.

The deadline to apply is AUGUST 1st.

SUPPORT LINE FOR COACHES

Sometimes coaches are asked to deal with difficult, delicate and sometimes ethical or legal situations. When you are not sure what to do, we strongly encourage you to use the Red Cross Respect in Sport Support Line. Save the number today and hope you don't need it tomorrow.

Sport Manitoba's partnership with the Red Cross provides coaches, parents and sport organizations with a tremendous line of support (Red Cross Respect in Sport Support Line) that has proven to be a lifeline for many (300 Manitobans used it last year).

The reality is, many coaches take on more responsibility than they ever thought possible. Sometimes that means dealing with difficult, delicate and sometimes ethical or legal situations that they did not sign up for.

When faced with a situation and you are simply not sure where to turn for guidance or support, we strongly encourage you to use the Red Cross Respect in Sport Support Line.

For any suspected incidents of abuse, harassment, bullying and hazing, call this number immediately. A trained Red Cross staff person will be available to assist with questions or concerns you may have.

For support, consultation, referral or resources please call toll free 1-866-773-5777

Community Places - Building for the Future

The Community Places Program helps non-profit organizations to improve the quality of living within their communities. The program provides funding support for the upgrading, construction or acquisition of sustainable buildings and other facilities that provide lasting, long-term benefits to community residents.

Grants of up to 50% of the first $15,000 of eligible project costs, and up to 1⁄ 3 of project costs over that amount, to a maximum of $50,000, are available to recreational, cultural, heritage and other non-profit community organizations in Manitoba.

For more information or an application package, please contact the Community Places Office in Winnipeg at 204-945-0502, or outside Winnipeg, call toll-free 1-800-894-3777, or on our website at http://www.manitoba.ca/housing/cpp

APPLICATION DEADLINE
December 15, 2014

The 2015 Western Canada Summer Games are being held in Wood Buffalo Alberta August 7-16, 2015.

Check out Team Toba's Blog to see Coach Haylee working hard to choose Manitoba's team.http://teamtobasoftball.blogspot.ca/

You can follow the team on Instagram @ toba_softball

Softball Manitoba is pleased to announce the Coaching Staff representing Team Toba at the 2015 Games:

Head Coach - Haylee O’Neill, Oakville MB
Manager - Val Pelleck, Winnipeg MB
Assistant Coach - Niki Little, Winnipeg MB
Assistant Coach - Stephanie Kababie, Winnipeg MB
Assistant Coach - Tara Nykoluk, Winnipeg MB

Haylee O’Neill - Haylee returns from the 2013 Canada Summer Games Program, where as Head Coach directed Team Toba to its highest finish ever with a 9-2 record and a Silver Medal. National and Provincial recognition followed including being named the 2013 Softball Canada Home Run Sports Coach of The Year, Softball Manitoba Coach of the Year, Global Winnipeg’s August-2013 Coach of the Month and Sport Manitoba’s-Coaching Manitoba’s IMPACT Female Coach of the Year.

Haylee’s other work with Softball Manitoba includes Master Learning Facilitator responsible for the NCCP Coach Education Program in our Province, along with training and preparing our other Coach Clinic Instructors as well as training and preparing our Junior Clinicians for Inner City programs and other Athlete Development opportunities. She has graduated from Simon Fraser University and Providence University College with an M.A. in Psychology and currently is a Coach with Softball Canada’s National Team. She was a member of the Women's National Team Player Pool from 2003 to 2005 and participated in the 2001 Canada Summer Games as a player.

Val Pelleck – Val also returns from the 2013 Canada Summer Games Program as the 2015 Team Toba Manager responsible for the Club’s Finances as well as on and off field planning. Added to all of this is her work as the Team’s Blog Master – stay tuned on our website as she hopes to have this up and running for the 2015 Program very shortly. Val’s Softball Games experience also includes the 2001 Games as a player. She has also participated in several Westerns and Canadian Championships as a Player and Official. She recently attained her Level IV Officiating status and works as an Instructor at the University of Winnipeg in the Faculty of Kinesiology.

Niki Little – Niki is the 3rd returnee from what was an excellent Coach-Management crew with the 2013 Program. Niki participated in the 2001 Games as a player as well and also participated as a player and coach in several Western and Canadian Championships. Her main focus was working with the outfielders in 2013 as our Apprenticeship Coach. Softball Manitoba will benefit from this as she builds on that role for the 2015 Program.

Stephanie Kababie – Stephanie Kababie – Stephanie played 2 years at Three Rivers Junior College and is a graduate from Columbia College (Missouri) where she played an additional 3 years. She has worked as a Skills Instructor and CANpitch clinican with Softball Manitoba these past few years and was a player with Team Toba in 1999. Steph has also participated in Western and Canadian Championships and even more impressively – played on the National Guatemalan team in the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Tara Nykoluk – Tara was an outstanding leader on the 2013 Games squad as one of the 3 captains named to direct the club providing great player to player guidance. Additional experience within Softball Manitoba’s High Performance Program includes the 2007 Manitoba Games, the 2007 Western Canada Summer Games and the 2009 Canada Summer Games – all as an athlete. Tara played Softball at Galveston College and also attended the University of Manitoba. she has also competed in countless Western and Canadian Championships and works with Softball Manitoba as a Junior Clinician.

Softball Canada is extremely pleased to announce a new and exciting partnership with Tim Hortons as the new title sponsor of the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program. Under the terms of the new four-year agreement, Tim Hortons will help Softball Canada grow the program throughout the country.

“Our Learn to Play Program is an exceptional program to give young athletes their first experience with the sport of softball in a relaxed and fun-filled environment” said Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn. “The program’s manual allows first time coaches and educators to feel comfortable they have the tools needed to teach young athletes about our sport. We would like to thank Tim Hortons for their assistance as the title sponsor of this fantastic program and we look forward to working with them to help increase participation at the grassroots level.”

Originally launched in 2004, the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program is a revolutionary way of introducing the sport of softball to children aged five to ten years old which falls in the Active Start and FUNdamentals stages of Softball Canada’s Long Term Player Development Model. The program includes activities that foster the involvement of ALL players as they experience excitement, enjoyment and success. Activities and lead-up games are patterned after informal playground games that promise FUN and LOTS OF ACTION.

In addition to introducing the sport of softball to children, the Tim Hortons Learn to Play Program is designed to be easily administered. The Learn to Play Manual is designed to be easily implemented by a volunteer coach and contains lesson plans, easy to follow instructions, a letter to parents about the program, progressions for teaching basic skills, and lead up games.

“Tim Hortons is very proud to introduce the Tim Hortons Learn to Play partnership with Softball Canada,” explains Rob Forbes, Senior Director Marketing and National Sponsorships. “It is our hope that through this program even more children will have the opportunity to come out and have some fun, learn a new sport, and make some new friends. We believe that community programs such as this help create a foundation for a life-long appreciation of the benefits of team work and sportsmanship.”

-SC-

For more information, please contact:

Gilles LeBlanc
Manager - Marketing and Communications
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3105
gleblanc@softball.ca

Michelle Robichaud
Manager – Public Relations
Tim Hortons
(905) 339-5047
robichaud_michelle@timhortons.com

The U12, U14, U16 Coaches Guides are now available for sale at the Softball Manitoba office. The cost per manual is $30.00

The U16 guide contains a season’s worth of practice plans (34 practices in total) divided into four training phases (including indoor and outdoor practices), with each phase having its own objectives and outcomes. Our coaching guides will assist softball coaches with the critical skill of developing and conducting sequential and well-organized practices.

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Softball Canada along with the Player Development Working Group is pleased to announce the launch of its new Triple Play website, targeting softball players aged 10 to 18 years old. The website can be accessed by visiting http://www.tripleplaysoftball.ca

'Our Triple Play Program is now a reality and its excellent website is now launched' said Softball Canada President Kevin Quinn. 'This website is a very exciting tool which has sections for players, coaches and parents. This will eventually provide young athletes the opportunity to see how they match up against other athletes across Canada and will provide some very useful information for coaches and parents as well.

For more information click on the link above or contact:

Mary Cahill
Manager - Domestic Programs
Softball Canada
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3107
mcahill@softball.ca

Softball Canada and Softball Manitoba are pleased to announce a Youth Development Program called Learn to Play. All Schools, Minor Softball Associations, coaches and Youth Organizations are welcome to contact us to learn more about this new and exciting program.