Girls nationals coming to capital

Charlottetown hosting under-16 Canadian championship in 2020

The Canadian under-16 girls’ softball championship will take place in Charlottetown next year.

The tournament will feature more than 20 teams and upward of 300 athletes from across the country.

It will take place Aug. 19-23 at the Central Field complex. It is one of 12 national events Softball Canada puts on annually.

Dave Campbell, chairman of the local host organizing committee, said it is a tremendous opportunity for the Island athletes who will get the chance to participate in the event and for the growth of the sport in P.E.I.

“Members of the next national and Olympic teams will be playing here on our fields during this Canadian championship,” he said. “We hope to have a big fan base and create an atmosphere second to none during this event.”

Charlottetown has hosted numerous Softball Canada events in the past, including the under-18 and senior women’s nationals, the men’s and masters Canadian championships and an under-19 international men’s competition.

“With its rich hosting experience and tremendous softball history, the event is in good hands with the City of Charlottetown and the local P.E.I. (under-16) organizing committee,” said Mike Branchaud, Softball Canada’s manager of Canadian championships.

The city bid on the event through its sport tourism initiative, Score!

The White Rock Renegades from British Columbia defeated the Mississauga North Tigers 5-1 in this year’s national championship. The P.E.I. Stars went 1-5 in the 24-team tournament in Calgary.