A White Rock businessman has stepped up to keep an international fastpitch team in play ahead of a major international tournament next week.
Addison Hubert has donated $25,000 to Venezuela’s national women’s softball team to help with expenses, allowing the players to compete at the 2016 Women’s World Softball Championship July 15-24 at Softball City.
Venezuela is ranked in the top-10 of the sport and its team spent three years training and fundraising. Yet the group found itself grounded when last-minute efforts to make the trip to Canada failed. That’s when Hubert sought to help.
“I was recently in Venezuela and met with the team and it is clear that they have unparalleled passion for the sport,” said Hubert in a news release.
“I hope that people in this region come to the event to support Team Canada as well as teams like Venezuela in their effort to secure a medal at the world championship.”
Hubert, of Preferred Choice Properties, was already active in helping the impoverished country through his work in building a church in Venezuela.
Tournament chairman Greg Timm called Hubert’s donation “an incredibly generous and far-reaching gesture.”
“Without Mr. Hubert stepping up, Team Venezuela would not have been able to attend the world championship in a sport that is played in the streets and parks across their country. His generosity will allow a team of athletes to inspire a generation of young girls in that country, and for that, our organization is incredibly grateful.”