The Canada Cup International Softball Championship kicks off this Friday, July 7, at Softball City in South Surrey.
Plenty of local players feature on this year’s Canadian national women’s softball team, with former White Rock Renegades players Sara Groenewegen, Madelyn McKinnon and Maple Ridge’s Larissa Franklin returning to the roster, among others.
Cloverdale’s Grace Messmer, an alum of the Surrey Storm program, and Surrey’s Kianna Jones – a Burnsview Secondary grad who played for the Delta Heat – also made the cut and are returning to represent Team Canada, with Delta infielder Kelsey Harshman also on the roster.
White Rock pitcher Groenewegen was a key member of the team that won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, throwing three shutout innings. The Elgin Park grad was also a three-time All-American while she attended the University of Minnesota.
Surrey catcher McKinnon currently plays with McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. She played for the White Rock Renegades ’04 and is a graduate of Semiahmoo Secondary School.
Before the Renegades, she started with the South Surrey White Rock Minor Softball Association’s Thunder, at 11 years old.
Having settled into the role of catcher, she enjoys the culture the sport of softball generates.
“I think it’s just the atmosphere, and my teammates, and just love for the game… the competitiveness every summer,” McKinnon said.
It’s her second Canada Cup as part of the national team and she’s looking forward to this year’s competition.
“It’s awesome! Meeting everyone from around the country and competing for the same purpose – it’s amazing,” she said.
“The culture on the team is nothing like I’ve ever played with before.”
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Currently in Nashville, where Team Canada is playing six games against the Florida Vibe to get some practice in before the Canada Cup, McKinnon knows her family and friends will be cheering for her in the hometown crowds at Softball City (2201 148 St.), but her focus will be on the game during play.
“When you’re with your team, you’re all playing for the same purpose and the only thing in your mind is the game and the people you’re playing for,” she said.
“Post-game is when I let myself talk to my family, talk to my friends, but during the game, I’m just there for my teammates and focus on being there for them.”
Now in its 30th year, the Canada Cup tournament showcases some of the top female athletes from across Canada and the world, at both club and national levels, in five divisions: Women’s International, Futures Select (U19), Futures Gold (U19), Showcase Select (16U) and Showcase Gold (16U).
Team Canada starts the 2023 Canada Cup Women’s International Softball Championship with a tough test against Australia on Monday, July 10 at 6 p.m. at Softball City.
It will be a double dose of Canadian content on Tuesday, July 11, when they take to the field for games against Greece at 1 p.m. and Italy at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, Team Canada faces off against TC Colorado at 2 p.m. and then Mexico at 6:30 p.m.
Canada will move on to face Israel at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, before a final pool game against Japan on Friday, July 14 in a clash of two international powerhouses.
“I think the goal is always, to bring home the gold,” McKinnon said.
“Being in Canada, we’re just there to represent our country well, and if that’s bringing home gold, that’s what we’re going to do.”
For the full schedule, tickets and more, visit canadacup.com
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