Softball Canada has awarded hosting rights for the 2020 U16 Girl’s Canadian Fast-Pitch Championship to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. One of Softball Canada’s signature events, the Championship will see upwards of 300 of the top female fast-pitch athletes from across the nation descend on the capital city, along with coaches and team staff, families, and supporters.
“Softball Canada is extremely proud to be heading back to Charlottetown for the U16 Girl’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship in 2020,” said Mike Branchaud, Manager, National Teams/Canadian Championships with Softball Canada. “One of our most popular events, the Championship will feature 20 plus teams from across the country. With its rich hosting experience and tremendous softball history, the event is in good hands with the City of Charlottetown and the local PEI U16 organizing committee.”
Charlottetown is no stranger to hosting Softball Canada events, with many pinnacle Championships being previously contested in the capital city, some of which include the U18 Women’s Canadian Fast-Pitch Championship, Women’s Canadian Fast-Pitch Championship, U19 Boys International Championship, and Men’s & Masters Men’s Canadian Fast-Pitch Championships. Charlottetown has also previously played host to Softball Canada’s Annual General Meeting.
“The City of Charlottetown through our sport tourism initiative, SCORE, has a very strong working relationship with Softball Canada, and we’re always happy to be hosting one of their top events. The U16 Girl’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship will drive much welcomed tourism in late August, and the ‘Birthplace of Confederation’ is ready to roll out the red carpet for these talented athletes,” said Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown. “Hosting events of this nature takes a considerable volunteer effort. The commitment of Dave Campbell and the entire local organizing committee is to be acknowledged and applauded.”
Each year, Softball Canada presents 12 Canadian Championships in various locations across the country. These Championships represent the pinnacle of many athletes’ careers, as they compete for the title of National Champion. The 2020 U16 Girl’s Canadian Fast-Pitch Championship will take place August 19-23 and be held at Charlottetown’s Central Field Complex.
“The Host Committee is very excited to have the opportunity to showcase the country’s best female fast-pitch athletes, and we have the SCORE initiative to thank for helping us secure such a big event here in Charlottetown,” said Dave Campbell, Chair of the local host organizing committee. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the PEI athletes who will be participating, the girls there to watch, and for the growth of the sport here on PEI. Members of the next National and Olympic teams will be playing here on our fields during this Canadian Championship. We hope to have a big fan base and create an atmosphere second to none during this event!”
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Background:
Since 2004, the City of Charlottetown has placed a priority on sport event attraction, aggressively pursuing the marketplace and seeing steady returns. The City launched its SCORE (Sport Charlottetown – Opportunities, Resources, and Expertise) initiative in 2005 to expand the lucrative sport tourism industry within the destination with much success, having been recognized nationally through Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance PRESTIGE Awards on six occasions for its outstanding efforts. Charlottetown has held the #1 ranking for Canadian sport hosting destinations with populations less than 50,000 on the Global Sports Impact Canada Index since its inception in 2018. The destination is also ranked 6th overall in the country, the smallest city to break the Top 10 which is predominantly made up of major metropolitan centres.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Gavin
Communications Officer
City of Charlottetown
902-629-4102
[email protected]