You can hear the excitement and pride in Leanne Spanzaâs voice as she talks about the Okanagan Elite U15b girls softball team winning the 2024 Provincial Championships.
Spanza is the head coach.
âWe have an amazing group of kids, my other coaches are fabulous, and the parent group is the core of it all,â she said.
The championships were held in Âé¶čAV over a scorching weekend (July 12-14) as Okanagan Elite beat Ridge Meadows 2-1 in the final game.
âEverybody came together including our parents, to create cooling stations, feeding the kids and coaches,â Spanza added.
The team has been together for three years, with players from Salmon Arm to West Âé¶čAV. Winning the provincials was a goal they set in Sept. 2023.
âOur team motto is âStronger Togetherâ and winning the gold medal showcased how hard everybody worked and how they believed in that,â Spanza explained.
The team has a 52-13 record this season and is the only B.C. squad to qualify for the US Western Nationals (July 23-28). Spanza said they couldn't attend because of participating in the BC and upcoming Western Canadian championships.
That tournament takes place in North Battleford, Saskatchewan Aug. 2-5 featuring teams from B.C., Alta., Sask., and Man. Spanza said they are looking for some help to get there.
âIf anyone can help with donations for the team to represent the Okanagan and B.C. weâd be eternally grateful. We have some amazing community sponsors as well that support us.â
Okanagan Elite Softball team members:
- Rae Bobye-Johnson;
- Emma Ward;
- Joni Paddock;
- Jessica Rands;
- Kiana Anderson;
- Amyla Rohatensky;
- Cedar Chiang;
- Camryn Hogg;
- Callie Clarke;
- Noah Hawrys;
- Lyla Stuart;
- Rylee Christie;
- Keira McClarty;
- Alyssa Keillor;
- Coaches - Leanne Spanza, Michelle Kirkbright, Jason Rohatensky.
Donation and sponsorship information is available on the .
