Deadline: May 17th  at 12pm EST

The Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO) is now accepting applications for Sport Manager and Coach volunteer positions. Positions are available for the various sports held at the 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). The 2014 NAIG will take place July 20-27, 2014 in Regina, SK.

The ASWCO is the recognized Province/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body (P/TASB) that oversees the operations of Aboriginal Team Ontario, which will be comprised of approximately 400 athletes, 80 coaches and 20 mission staff. The team will be managed by the Mission Staff (ASWCO appointed representatives and Sport Managers), whose main responsibility will be to oversee all aspects of team operations and logistics. ... Read More

The TORONTO 2015 Mascot Creation Challenge has officially closed, but there is still a ton of work to do in selecting the official mascot for the Games.

As you may have heard, we received 4,130 entries from across Canada, which means more than 15,000 people – kids, parents and teachers – participated in the contest.

It was a tough task, but after opening all of the envelopes, the initial contest judges have selected the Top six designs. Starting April 22, these six designs will be part of a nationwide, online voting contest. ... Read More

03-13-2013

Softball Ontario’s Umpire Program is happy to announce they are hosting a Softball Canada Level III Umpire clinic in Toronto on April 27-28, 2013.  This two day course is essential for any Ontario Umpire aspiring to advance in their Umpire career.  An action packed course, the Level III Clinic may cover topics including pre-game conferences; appeal plays and ejections/removals.  Softball Ontario top notch Umpire Instructors will be on hand to instruct these clinics. ... Read More

2013 Umpire Level 3 Clinic Registration Form

02-20-2013

Softball Canada is very pleased to release the list of players who have been invited to represent Canada at the fifth edition of the Men's Slo-Pitch Border Battle, which will take place in Oklahoma City this summer.
The Canadian team will play a series of exhibition games in Oklahoma City before playing Team USA in a one-game showdown on July 11th, 2013. The team will also gather in May at an event to be determined.

At the inaugural Border Battle in 2009, the United States defeated Canada by a score of 30-23. The following year, Canada bounced back with a thrilling 30-29 victory before USA dominated the third game by a score of 25-3 in 2011.Last summer, Canada jumped out to a 18-4 lead, but the Americans responded with a 20 run inning and went on to take the 32-21 victory. ... Read More

• • Up to $500 to cover the rental costs of a Classroom and Gymnasium
• • The opportunity to certify twelve (12) Coaches at a local On-Field Evaluation Clinic
• • An opportunity to provide your athletes with free skills instruction from guest Coaches
• • Get a jump-start on the 2014 Canada Coach requirements for participating in Canadian Championship
• • Earn up to 32 points towards your Association SAFE STAR Rating  ... Read More

• • Must be trained or certified in the NCCP context they are facilitating
• • Strong communication and administrative skills
• • A keen interest in Coach Development
• • An understanding of the NCCP Coaching Program specifically in Softball
• • Strong Leadership Skills   ... Read More

• • Must be trained or certified in the NCCP context they are facilitating
• • Strong communication and administrative skills
• • A keen interest in Coach Development
• • An understanding of the NCCP Coaching Program specifically in Softball
• • Strong Leadership Skills   ... Read More

• • Highlight key points of interest by selecting and noting key moments within the skill
• • Add audio comments, text and drawing to selected key positions
• • Play reference video with key positions and notations to compare with other videos
• • Synchronize two different videos to play together
• • Publish videos, key positions, drawings and annotations and voice over    ... Read More

Softball Canada’s Umpire Program Review Committee (UPRC) is currently reviewing all components of our national umpiring program. As such, we are gathering input from across the softball community.

As a coach (at any level) we are hoping you might take a few minutes and offer your feedback on how Softball Canada’s umpiring program is serving you and your team and how we might get better.

The survey is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H6V96Y9

On behalf of the UPRC and Softball Canada, thank you for any feedback you are able to offer.

Please respond no later than February 8, 2013.

In the spirit giving, the Coaches Association of Ontario is calling all students, athletes, parents, to find the best coaches in the biggest province in Canada. On December, 17, 2012 you can says “Thanks Coach” by nominating them for an Ontario Coaching Excellence Award or entering the My Coach Video Contest where $800 is up for grabs. Ways To Participate... Read More

Softball Ontario welcomes three (3) additions to its Coaching Committee which include the following individuals Matt Allen of Guelph, ON; Ken Uyesugi of Richmond Hill, ON and Andy Roddau of Whitby, ON. Below is a brief bio on each of the new Committee Member ... Read More

Softball Ontario is pleased to announce its new Coaches Committee Chairman, Joe Benedetti of Hamilton, ON.

Mr. Benedetti is an accomplished National Coaching Certification Program Level 3 Coach in Softball with over fifteen years experience.  An active Softball Ontario volunteer since becoming a Master Course Conductor for Softball Ontario in 1991, Mr. Benedetti has also worked with Softball Ontario as a past Coaching Committee Chairman, Coaching Committee member, Softball Ontario Level 3 Instructor/Practical Evaluator and as a Learning Facilitator for the new National Certification Coaching Program... Read More

Softball Ontario is pleased to announce the selection of Sandy Hall as our Slo-Pitch Provincial Umpire-in-Chief.

Ms. Hall is an accomplished Softball Canada Level 4 Umpire with fifteen (15) years of experience.  An active Softball Ontario volunteer since becoming Softball Ontario Umpire Clinic Instructor and Evaluator for both Slo-Pitch and Fast Pitch in 2004, a Member Association Tournament Umpire-in-Chief and as Slo-Pitch Zone 5 West Umpire-in-Chief.  She has also been an instructor at the Softball Ontario’s Umpire Program  Instructor Training Clinic weekend and sits on the 2013 Softball Canada Blue Convention Host Committee.   Sandy has been active with her local umpires associations and has attended... Read More

Softball Ontario’s Participation Program is please to remind you that we are advertising for positions on the Participation Committee, and that the deadline to apply is TOMORROW - December 11, 2012.  Participation Committee Volunteers are an essential part of Softball Ontario’s efforts to promote the game of softball in our province.  Successful candidates will take a leadership role in the development of the Participation Program in Ontario, and will assist the Participation Committee Chairman in setting program goals and objectives, representing the Participation Program, and working to improve softball in the province of Ontario.

Participation Committee Members will be expected to attend all committee meetings (approximately 2 per year) as well as attend the annual Get In The Game Symposium.  Ideally, a Participation Committee Member will have experience with softball at the house league level, with the following qualifications: ... Read More

Softball Ontario will provide eight (8) Softball Associations with awards of $250 to help develop, Coaches, Umpires and Volunteers!  Softball Ontario is pleased to provide Softball Associations with the opportunity to win a Softball Association Fundamental Excellence (SAFE) Award!  The SAFE Awards will help Softball Associations across Ontario to improve their volunteer development efforts for 2013.

What is a SAFE Award?
A Softball Association Fundamental Excellence Award is an award of $250 for Softball Associations to use in one of four (4) categories: ... Read More

Softball Ontario will provide eight (8) Softball Associations with awards of $250 to help develop, Coaches, Umpires and Volunteers!  Softball Ontario is pleased to provide Softball Associations with the opportunity to win a Softball Association Fundamental Excellence (SAFE) Award!  The SAFE Awards will help Softball Associations across Ontario to improve their volunteer development efforts for 2013.

What is a SAFE Award?
A Softball Association Fundamental Excellence Award is an award of $250 for Softball Associations to use in one of four (4) categories: ... Read More

Softball Ontario is now accepting applications for the position of Slo-Pitch Provincial Deputy Umpire-in-Chief.  A successful candidate must be an active Slo-Pitch Umpire registered with Softball Ontario.  He or she should have experience as a Zone Umpire-in-Chief as well as a minimum Slo-Pitch Umpire Certification of Level III or higher.  Five years of experience as a Slo-Pitch Umpire is an asset.

Highlights of the responsibilities of the Slo-Pitch Provincial Deputy Umpire-in-Chief include:   ... Read More

Softball Canada is pleased to announce the following Regional Evaluation Camps for the 2013 Junior and Senior Women’s National Teams:

Evaluation Camp #1:
When: Thursday, May 23rd to Sunday, May 26th

Evaluation Camp #2:
When: Thursday June 13th – Sunday June 16th  ... Read More

Two of Ontario’s finest Umpires have achieved Softball Canada’s highest level of Umpire certification Level V at this year’s Canadian Championships.

Softball Ontario’s Fast Pitch Provincial Deputy Umpire-in-Chief, Dave Mills of Acton, ON received his Level V Fast Pitch certification this year at Softball Canada Senior Men's Fast Pitch Canadian Championships in Fredericton, NB.

Softball Ontario’s Slo-Pitch Provincial Deputy Umpire-in-Chief, Stuart Bowden of Ottawa, ON received his Level V Slo-Pitch certification this year at Softball Canada Senior Men’s Slo-Pitch Canadian Championships in Dorchester, ON. ... Read More

Thirteen (13) of Ontario’s finest Umpires have achieved the status of a Softball Canada Level IV Umpire at this year’s Canadian Championships.
Softball Ontario’s Level IV Umpires line up now includes the following Umpires to its roster:

Fast Pitch
Steve Gallagher of Cobourg, ON
Andrew Clark of Kitchener, ON
Jamie Rankin of St. Mary’s, ON
Maurice (Moe) Card of Stratford, ON
Steve Doyle of Newmarket, ON

Slo-Pitch
Barry Chester of Welland, ON
Jeff Klooster of Dorchester, ON
Bernie Howe of Tecumseh, ON
Jim Fayad of Dorchester, ON
Jim Hasson of Alymer, ON
Larry Marchand of London, ON
Mark Heagle of St.Catharines, ON
Dan Mcharg of Oshawa, ON   ... Read More

An exciting opportunity exists to join Softball Canada in the role of 2013 Pool Coach in the Women’s National Team Program.   The Pool Coaches will work closely with the Junior and Senior Head Coaches in the pursuit of podium results at Major International Competitions with the respective programs, while contributing, through their engagement, to the physical, psychological and social development of each athlete. Opportunities include participation in winter training camps, selection camps and major events. Primary competition takes place from late May through August and the program can allow for individual availability.
 
To be considered for the position, candidates should possess:   ... Read More

Softball Canada is currently looking for possible hosts to bid for the following ISF World Championships; 

• 2016 Senior Women’s
• 2016 Junior Men’s
• 2017 Senior Men’s
• 2017 Junior Women’s

Interested in becoming a Softball Ontario Learning Facilitator for Softball Ontario?

What is a Master Learning Facilitator (MLF)?
A Master Learning Facilitator's duties include:

• •  To  train, evaluate and mentor Learning Facilitators within the Province of Ontario
• •  To assist in the delivery of the National Coaching Certification Program and Athlete Development Programs on behalf of Softball Canada and Softball Ontario
• •  To represent Softball Ontario at the Softball Canada’s Master Learning Facilitator Meeting and National Professional development session as required
• •  To facilitate a Learning Facilitator Training annually as organized by Softball Ontario and Softball Ontario’s Coaches Committee

A degree in Physical Education/Kinesiology/Sport Science or Coaching is desirable but is not a requirement of the position.  Master Learning Facilitator Selection is based on the Coaches Association of Canada’s Master Learning Facilitator competencies which include: ...Read More

As the softball season ends, it's time to take  a look at the contributions of your volunteers and recognize their efforts and hard work.  In 2011, Softball Ontario launched a new Volunteer Recognition Program designed to help local Softball Associations recognize the efforts of their volunteers. The new Volunteer Awards are part of Softball Ontario’s Softball Association Fundamental Excellence (SAFE) STAR Program, and will help Softball Associations not only to improve their SAFE STAR Ratings, but also help them to reward and retain their quality volunteers.

The 2012 Volunteer Awards allow Softball Associations to recognize volunteers in two (2) categories:

• Youth Volunteer of the Year
  
  • Young people from across Ontario are becoming involved with their local Softball Associations and realizing that they can make a difference in their sport. The SAFE STAR Youth Volunteer Awards are an opportunity to recognize the work of young softball volunteers throughout the province.
  • Softball Ontario will provide each Softball Association with one (1) SAFE STAR Youth Volunteer Award to be given to a youth volunteer (age 30 or younger) who has made a difference in your Softball Association and helped you to work towards earning or improving your Associations SAFE STAR Rating.
  • Each Softball Association’s Award Winner will receive a SAFE Award Youth Volunteer of the Year Certificate, a limited edition SAFE Award Back Pack, and a nomination for the provincial Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
• Long-Term Player Development Champion
  
  • A Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Champion calls others to action and motivates their peers to work towards improving quality sport in Ontario. By serving as credible role models for LTPD, Champions can get the most out of their peers and, ultimately, activate future LTPD champions.
  • Softball Ontario will provide each Softball Association with one (1) SAFE STAR LTPD Champion Award to be given to a volunteer who has made a difference in your Softball Association and helped you to work towards implementing LTPD SAFE STAR deliverables within your Association.
  • Each Softball Association’s Award Winner will receive a SAFE Award Long-Term Player Development Champion Certificate, a limited edition SAFE Award Messenger Bag, and a nomination for the provincial Long-Term Player Development Champion Award

Implementing the new Volunteer Awards will earn your Association eight (8) points towards a SAFE STAR Rating, and holding a ceremony to present the awards will earn your Association an additional four (4) points!