For a second time in four months, Coquitlam is set to help a First Nations sports group host a series of try-outs in search of athletes for the 2023 North American Indigenous Games.
This time, Mundy Park will be the backdrop in November for local aspiring softball players of Indigenous heritage to showcase their talents in hopes of landing a spot on one of four teams that'll head to Halifax, N.S., next year.
I-SPARC (Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council) is the organizing body for First Nations-based teams in B.C.
The organization will be competing in 13 sports at the Indigenous Games.
At Toronto 2017, B.C. only captured one of 12 medals up for grabs in softball with the under-16 female squad winning bronze.
In August, Coquitlam's Poirier Forum hosted I-SPARC's lacrosse selection camp.
A release explains athletes chosen from the softball camp will be invited to join a development squad, with final selections in the spring.
Four rosters will be finalized before the games and will be divided as follows:
- 19U Female
- 19U Male
- Born between 2004 and 2006
- 16U Female
- 16U Male
- Born between 2007 and 2008
I-SPARC's softball camp is scheduled for Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mundy Park — located at 641 Hillcrest St.
Pre-registration is required at a cost of $50 per player, and interested players have until Nov. 4 to sign up.
For more information, you can visit I-SPARC's website.
The North American Indigenous Games, normally held every three years, are considered to be one of the most celebrated multi-sport events in the world.
Halifax 2023 is set to take place from July 15 to 23.
