Canada Hosts the World's Best Softball Nations

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - June 26, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular) and Member of Parliament (Blackstrap), on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today formally announced $150,000 in funding from the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, to Softball Canada to support the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Men's World Softball Championship.

Quick Facts

- The WBSC Men's World Softball Championship takes place every two years, and this year's edition will see 16 international teams compete for the title from June 26 to July 5 at Bob Van Impe Stadium in Saskatoon.

- The Canadian delegation to the Championship will be composed of 17 athletes, 5 coaches and 3 officials. The event will provide them with a highly competitive international experience as a prelude to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.

- Both men's and women's softball are part of the sport program at the upcoming Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.

- In 2014-15, the Government of Canada provided $1.2 million to Softball Canada through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program for programs and services that have a direct impact on athlete development.

- The Government of Canada places great importance on our high-performance athletes, as well as healthy and active Canadians. In Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit to $1,000 to help offset the costs of parents enrolling their children in organized sport. At the same time, starting in 2016-17, it will be investing up to an additional $20 million into the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes to ensure they have what they need to push for the podium, now and in the future.

Quotes

"During this Year of Sport in Canada, we are very proud to support the 2015 WBSC Men's World Softball Championship. The fact that this softball championship is taking place in Saskatoon is a reflection of the region and our country's reputation as outstanding hosts of top-flight international competitions. In fact, more than 60 international single-sport events are taking place this year from coast to coast to coast. I wish all competitors a wonderful tournament, especially our National Men's Team as they sharpen their focus toward the upcoming Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games."

- The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"Supporting the hosting of high-calibre international sport events, like the 2015 WBSC Men's World Softball Championship, is important to the Government of Canada, which is why we are proud to support this event. I congratulate Softball Canada and all the organizers and volunteers for their great work, and wish everyone involved in the championship well."

- The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular) and Member of Parliament (Blackstrap)

"We appreciate the Government of Canada's support of the Men's World Softball Championship and their ongoing contributions to all of our programming. We look forward to celebrating this great event, which takes place in both the Year of Sport and the 50^th anniversary of Softball Canada."

- Hugh Mitchener, Chief Executive Officer, Softball Canada

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Sport

WBSC Men's World Softball Championship

Softball Canada

Year of Sport

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

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