Organizers raising funds to bring Ukrainian softball team to Surrey tournament

The Canada Cup International Softball Championship has launched a fundraiser to help bring a team from Ukraine to play at Softball City in Surrey.

The board of directors behind the Women’s championship, which began Friday, say they’re thrilled to announce the Ukrainian Women’s Junior National Softball team will once again compete at this year’s tournament, but they need some help to do it.

“The war in Ukraine has placed a tremendous strain on the country’s ability to financially support the participation of their athletes on the world stage, but they have remained committed to fielding an elite fastpitch team that prides itself in representing their great country,” the board said in a news release.

The Chair of Canada Cup, Greg Timm, says the Ukrainian Sports Association was supportive of sending the team back to Canada to compete for a second year.

“The Ukrainian sports association took it very seriously, and they wanted to display to their youth in their country that there is life after war and that you can still do things,” said Timm.

He says the team has already arrived, but the fundraiser aims to ease their journey.

“They don’t have any funding. All of their money gets channeled towards their war efforts and survival efforts. So they’re back, and we’re asking the public to support their travel and accommodation, food expenses while they’re here.”

He says bringing the Ukrainian team out last year generated a lot of good will with Ukrainian players.

“We were shocked by the fantastic community support for this team this year. We have, by intention, started a little bit later as we get the momentum of our tournament started, and the first pitch in our tournament was thrown today, so we’re in motion now, and the Ukrainian team is not due to arrive here for a few days. So we’re hoping that as they’re here… people will again show the support for the team.”

You can contribute to the dedicated GoFundMe directly, or visit the Canada Cup website for tickets or to make general donations.

The tournament is set to run from June 28 until July 7th.

—With files from Michelle Meiklejohn.