Learning together
Masters, Canada Games women’s teams helping each other prepare for competition
An unlikely partnership is paying dividends for two women’s softball teams that have been training together in Charlottetown this winter.
“I will never forget their faces,” says Dawn Moase, coach of the Cheers Sports Bar women’s 45-plus team that will be travelling to Auckland, New Zealand, next month for the World Masters Games.
She was describing the surprised looks by members of the P.E.I. Canada Games Women’s softball team at their first meeting with the older athletes.
“We try to keep up with them,” said Moase, “but, in the same respect, I think they see we’re not just there for the fun of it. We’re there for the commitment.”
Canada Games coach Jeff Ellsworth works with both his
team and the 45-plus team on Thursday nights.
He said practice has a totally different atmosphere than the one when he has just his team in attendance.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said of the shared practice.
And his Canada Games players are seeing for themselves there are ball opportunities available even after the Canada Games.
He’s even overheard some of his players talking about wanting to compete in masters some day. He said he’s looking forward to that experience, too.
“It’s good for them to test their knowledge,” Ellsworth said in describing the interactions, “and, you know what? They’re having fun.
“If the fun factor stays in, they’re going to keep training. Therefore, they’re going to get better.”
“We’re learning as they’re learning,” said Cheers assistant coach Ernestine Arnold.