Media Event - Canada Cup International Women's Fastpitch Tournament - Wednesday, July 9

[Al's Fastball News]

Received: 7/7/08 12:47:28 PM 
From:  "Colleen Goodwin-Ryan" <colleen at axion.net> 

 
Subject:  Media Event - Canada Cup International Women's Fastpitch
Tournament - Wednesday, July 9  
   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Immediate Release

 

TEAM CANADA: Building up to Beijing

Get on base for the media event:

Wednesday, July 9, 11:30 a.m. at Softball City

 

(Surrey, B.C., Canada) Team Canada is red hot heading into the
15th Canada Cup International Women's Fastpitch Tournament playing
July 12 – 20 at Softball City in Surrey. 

 

Batting to win at Canada Cup 2008 are five of the eight teams
that have qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing,
China – Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Venezuela.


 

Canada, originally seeded fifth, has upped its Olympic profile
after winning the 2008 International Challenge in Australia this
spring, first beating Australia in a four-hour marathon and then
defeating Japan in the hotly-contested final. Australia has won
two silvers and a bronze at the Olympics while Japan has picked
up a silver and a bronze medal.

 

Head coach Lori Sippel, who pitched for Canada at softball's
Olympic debut in Atlanta in 1996, aims to see the Maple Leaf
fly over the podium this year.

 

"I do believe this team has a chance to medal at the Olympics,"
Sippel said. "The team has been training/preparing toward that
goal and I really believe in this squad. Collectively, they are
the most driven group of players I have had the pleasure of being
around.. Based on skills, athleticism, drive and desire to get
on the podium, this team has all the tools and intangibles to
compete for their ultimate prize.."

 

Canada Cup 2008 is a great opportunity for hometown fans to get
a front row seat on the action leading up to Beijing, said Sippel,
winning pitcher for Team Canada in the 1996 tournament. "This
is the last opportunity for this particular team to play in Canada.
The tournament schedule is going to be great in that we will
be facing so many of our upcoming Olympic competitors – a great
preview for the fans and for our team."





 

Team Canada members have been training full-time since the end
of January and their hard work is paying off.  Contributing to
the gold win in Australia, Lauren Bay Regula of Trail, B.C. pitched
five scoreless innings in the final against Japan, while Jennifer
Salling of Port Coquitlam, B.C won best batter in the tournament.


 

Other proven performers on the Canadian Team include Olympic
veterans outfielder Alison Bradley of Pinkerton, Ontario; catcher
Erin Cumpstone of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; first base Sheena
Lawrick of Calgary, Alberta and Kristy Odamura of Richmond, B.C.


 

Also stepping up to the plate from the Lower Mainland are pitcher
Danielle Lawrie of Langley, top pitcher at Canada Cup 2006; outfielder
Melanie Matthews of Surrey, top batter for Canada Cup 2006; Jennifer
Yee of North Delta, picked for the 2007 ACC All Tournament Team
and Tamra Howren of White Rock, who has played for her country
in three Canada Cups and the 2006 World Championships. 

 

Noemie Marin of Acton-Vale, Quebec, in her third year on the
national team, is currently on leave from a hockey scholarship
at University of Minnesota. Rounding out Team Canada are Caitlin
Lever of Buffalo, New York; Erin McLean of Whitby, Ontario, Robin
Mackin of Newmarket, Ontario; Dione Meier of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Kaleigh Rafter of Guelph, Ontario and Megan Timpf of Port Dover,
Ontario. 

 

The athletic accomplishments of these young women and Canada's
participation in every Olympic softball tournament is testimony
to the vision of the Canada Cup – founded by Glen Todd in 1993
to develop Canadians athletes for top-level international competition.


 

Fourteen teams from around the world are expected to compete
in the 15th Canada Cup. 

 

In addition to the 15th Canada Cup International Women's Fastpitch
Tournament held July 12 – 20 at Softball City, Canada Cup 2008
includes:

7th annual Canada Cup International Fastpitch Futures Tournament
World Junior Women's presented by MVP Athletic Supplies, July
14 – 20 at Softball City, Cloverdale Athletic Park and Sullivan
Park 
4th annual International Canada Cup 16 and Under Showcase Tournament
July 14 – 20 at Softball City, Cloverdale Athletic Park and Sullivan
Park
11th Special Olympics Friendship Division Tournament July 17
– 20 at Softball City 
 

Softball City is located at 2201 148 St.; Cloverdale Athletic
Park is at 64 Avenue and 168 Street; Sullivan Park is on 152
Street and 62 Avenue.

 

For tickets and other tournament information call 604-536-9287
or visit www.canadacup.com

 



For media requiring more information contact Colleen Goodwin-Ryan:

 Phone 604-581-9203, Email colleen(at)axion.net
 

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