For the Okanagan Elite U17 girls softball team, playing for each other mattered more than the trophy, but they got both.
The team香蕉视频直播檚 motto, stronger together, is a mindset that carried them through months of tryouts, training, travel, and competition to capture a Canada Cup title earlier this month.
As far as head coach Leanne Spanza could determine, the international title is the first ever for an Okanagan team in the tournament香蕉视频直播檚 30-year history.
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The Canada Cup featured 119 teams from all over the world playing in five different brackets. The Okanagan Elite U17 squad competed in the 37-team Showcase Select division with teams from B.C., Alberta, Washington, and Oregon.
It was held at Softball City on the Lower Mainland from July 4-8.
The Okanagan squad played nine games over the four days, with scores ranging from nerve-wracking 1-0 and 8-7 wins, and finally, an 8-3 victory over the Langley Xtreme 09 in the final.
Spanza said the girls came into the tournament focused not just on winning, but on playing for each other.
香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 our line香蕉视频直播攚e play for each other. It香蕉视频直播檚 not something that we knew was going to happen, we just knew we were going to play hard and compete.香蕉视频直播�
Most of the team has been together since playing U15 ball. The road to the Canada Cup started in September with tryouts. A few new players joined the roster, and by Thanksgiving the team was training indoors three times a week, all the way through March. From April on, it was tournament season.
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But their win was more than just a team effort, it was a club-wide celebration.
The younger U15 Elite team, which trains alongside the U17s through the winter, had two of its pitchers join as pickups for the tournament.
香蕉视频直播淭hey were phenomenal,香蕉视频直播� Spanza said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 about both teams. It香蕉视频直播檚 about Elite as a whole. It香蕉视频直播檚 about coming together and competing, and having fun.香蕉视频直播�
Spanza noted that players from both teams come from up and down the Okanagan Valley.
香蕉视频直播淔rom Enderby to Penticton香蕉视频直播t香蕉视频直播檚 sportsmanship, mentorship, and community.香蕉视频直播�
Now, the U17 team is preparing for the provincial champions, taking place July 18香蕉视频直播�20 at High Noon Park in Kelowna.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 potentially the last tournament of the season,香蕉视频直播� Spanza said. 香蕉视频直播淪o you香蕉视频直播檝e got to give it your all, have fun, and trust your teammates.香蕉视频直播�
She encouraged local fans to come out and support the girls.
香蕉视频直播淚f you香蕉视频直播檝e got kids that are interested in playing ball, that are currently playing ball, it香蕉视频直播檚 a great sport to watch. The girls are loud. It香蕉视频直播檚 entertaining.香蕉视频直播�
Spanza said it all comes back to the bond these players share.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 just really proud of the girls,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a major accomplishment to win the Canada Cup, and they did it together."
