Kamloops is hosting the U16 provincial girls' softball championships this weekend (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

U16 SOFTBALL PROVINCIALS

U16 provincial girls’ softball championship first major tournament to return to Kamloops

Jul 16, 2021 | 5:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s the time of year when the world-renowned Kamloops International Baseball Tournament would be going at Norbrock Stadium. It’s been cancelled for two straight years now due to the pandemic.

Many other sporting events in the tournament capital of canada have been on hold — until now. The U16 provincial girls’ softball championships are being played at Exhibition Park, marking the first major tournament in Kamloops in the last 16 months.

“It’s been crazy since we haven’t played in so long, so this being the first tournament, it’s great,” said Keira Dragicevich from the Strawberry Vale Kryptonite in Victoria.

“It really means a lot to us,” said Kamloops Thieves player Nikkyla Fournier. “We get to be part of a team and it’s just fun. We enjoy it. It’s happiness for everybody.”

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Ashlyn Chadwick from the Westside Outlaws in West Kelowna added, “It’s a great opportunity we have. To be able to do this during COVID, it’s just, so many people have tried so hard to make this happen, so a lot of girls really appreciate it.”

Through discussions with viaSport, Softball BC gained the necessary approval to go ahead with the provincial championships. The tournament started on Friday and ends with gold medal games on Sunday.

“We set out our return-to-play guidelines, which after the COVID numbers were down, we were able to go to different phases,” said co-organizer of the tournament and coach of the Kamloops Thieves Nicole Trouton. “Thankfully, the timing was just right to be able to host provincials.”

Kamloops has two squads in the 16-team tournament this weekend. One of the teams — the Pandas — is coached by Blazers’ Athletic Trainer Colin “Toledo” Robinson.

“It’s awesome. It’s a sense of normalcy again,” he said. “Thankfully, the skies have cleared up a bit today, too, so it’s just awesome to have everybody out here and have fans watching the girls play. For me, it’s great to be out here supporting the team and the city.”

But it’s not just the players, coaches and organizers that are excited about the sport’s triumphant return. Parents are equally excited to be back at the ballpark.

“It feels like we’re back to where we were before all this [COVID] started,” said Kerby Bealle, who is cheering on his daughter this weekend with the Kamloops Thieves. “It’s nice to be out, get some fresh air, even though it’s a little bit smoky, but to just be out with people and watching the kids out there having fun.”

Even though it’s a top competition, many players know, with a lengthy time off and not much practice together, they might be a little rusty in their major event back.

“We’re just going to have fun,” noted Dragicevich. “I feel like there’s not a lot of pressure on us, so we’re going to have fun, play our hardest, see where we get.”

Yes indeed. It’s all about the fun and embracing the return of the sport they love.