(Ottawa, Ontario) – Softball Canada announced today that Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island will play host to a major Boy’s international softball event in 2009. The event will feature Provincial and Territorial Boy’s Under 19 teams, as well as teams from the United States and Mexico. The event is meant to replace the experience of the Canada Games for Provincial/Territorial teams. Boy’s softball was not selected for the 2009 Canada Summer Games, which are being hosted in Prince Edward Island, while Girl’s softball remains on the program.
Kevin Quinn (Charlottetown, P.E.I.), President of Softball Canada, stated “With the removal of Boy’s softball from the 2009 Canada Summer Games we knew it was important to provide a top quality experience for those players and coaches who were going to miss the Canada Games opportunity. Having this event in Charlottetown in the weeks leading up to the Canada Summer Games will provide that experience. The addition of teams from the United States and Mexico will certainly enhance the event.” Quinn went on to note that “I have been approached by many softball fans in Prince Edward Island and throughout Atlantic Canada who were very disappointed that Boy’s softball would not be showcased here in 2009 at the Canada Summer Games. I believe there will be great spectator interest in this event. We certainly appreciate the help of the City of Charlottetown and the SCORE initiative in making this happen for the teams and fans.”
Men’s National Team Head Coach Mark Smith (Halifax, Nova Scotia) is excited about the event, “Canada has a successful history in Men’s softball and it was very important that the younger players be given the opportunity to have something to work towards. I am sure that this event, with its international flavour, will provide outstanding competition and help to maintain a focus on the Male side of the game.”
It is expected that at least 10 Provincial/Territorial teams will compete, with 4-6 teams expected from the U.S. and Mexico. While the event dates have not been finalized, they are expected to be in the late June/early July time frame.
“It’s an honour for the City of Charlottetown to roll out the red carpet and host the Under 19 North American Softball Championships, while creating a great opportunity for our city to continue moving forward on the international stage,” said Mayor Lee. “The attraction of major sporting events such as the Championships is the efforts of the SCORE initiative, an important partnership between the City of Charlottetown and Tourism Charlottetown, established to enable Charlottetown to further capitalize on the billion dollar sport tourism industry. The City of Charlottetown has had the privilege of hosting a number of national softball championships and values its strong relationship with Softball Canada,” noted Mayor Lee.
“Tourism Charlottetown is very happy to work in partnership with the City of Charlottetown through SCORE to provide the resources to secure Sporting Events for Charlottetown”, states Kevin Murphy, President of Tourism Charlottetown. “Congratulations to Kevin Quinn and his committee for inviting this tournament to Prince Edward Island ~ community-minded individuals, like Kevin Quinn, make events happen in the Charlottetown and the SCORE team is here to provide the support required to make this event a success!”
Softball Canada has been working to increase the profile of Male softball in Canada through an aggressive hosting agenda that also includes the 2008 ISF Junior Men’s
World Championships in Whitehorse, Yukon and the 2009 ISF Senior Men’s World Championships in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
For more information please contact:
Kevin Quinn
President, Softball Canada
902-368-3024
Kevin.Quinn@pei.sympatico.ca
Wayne Long
Events Development Officer
City of Charlottetown – SCORE
Event Attraction
902-629-4023
wlong@city.charlottetown.pe.ca
Kim Green
CEO
Tourism Charlottetown – SCORE
902-892-0420
kimg@walkandseacharlottetown.com
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