U17A Ice looking for sponsorship to help with National tournament costs

The Moose Jaw U17A Ice was named provincial champions last weekend, which has qualified them for the Canadian Fast Pitch Championships in Montreal, Que. From August 17-21.

As is anything, it’s not cheap to take a whole team across the country. That’s why the team is looking for local sponsorship to help offset expenses for the team to travel to Montreal.

“We’re looking to get some sponsorship from local people, local businesses, provincial businesses, all things to help with getting the team there such as flights, accommodations, and anything else that will come up,” says Carime Molde, team manager. “Anything that anybody can do as far as sponsoring us would be greatly appreciated.”

The team has already had to pay an $850 registration fee to go to the national tournament. Molde says it's roughly going to cost each player around $1,100 for just their return-trip flight, with hotels on top of that. Molde adds with accommodations the team will try to save costs by having players share rooms.

“We knew that we would have to hit the ground running with fundraising and get some funds in the team account so that all these girls would have an opportunity to go with their team to play at Nationals and not have the financial stress.”

Fundraising efforts will be taking place around Moose Jaw in the coming weeks, with dates being found on the Moose Jaw U17A Ice Facebook page.

“We’re going to be doing some bottle drives, we’re going to have some warm-up T-shirts that we’re hoping to put some logos on. We’re small town Moose Jaw going to Montreal to play ball.”

Molde notes the team does accept etransfer and cash donations and has an email address at mjicefastball@gmail.com

The team is expected to depart for the tournament on August 16 and return on August 22. Their first game will be on August 17 against BC1 at 9:00 a.m. ET. All games will be live-streamed on GameChanger, with the full schedule and results of each game on the Softball Canada website.

“They are over the moon excited. These girls have been playing together for a few years now, and some of them are longer. This year it all came together and they are so excited.”

Those looking to donate can also contact Molde at 306-630-4504.