The Lacombe Minor Softball Association's Selects U15A team brought home gold from the recent Western Canadian Softball Championship in North Battleford, SK.
There were 10 teams at the event, which was held over the August long weekend, said Paige Jones, the team's manager.
"We felt like we were going into it quite strongly. Our girls had played all season together - we had gone to Texas for a tournament (in March), and to Kelowna and Saskatchewan for other tournaments, We then had the provincials in Camrose in July.
"We got a bronze medal in the provincials, which qualified us to go to the championships."
Besides landing the gold, Jones said competing in the championships - and tournaments throughout the season - yields all kinds of benefits for the young players.
"These girls are going to be friends for the rest of their lives. They make connections on so many different levels. They also have made such a connection with their coach Ashley Argent, who has been amazing, too. She's fantastic - the girls have loved her."
Jones, who has a daughter on the team as well, has been team manager for the past year, and has also been on the board of the Lacombe Minor Softball Association for several years.
She said that many of the players are from communities around Lacombe - including Sylvan Lake, Eckville, Rimbey - and even from out by Devon, she said.
In the past year, the association also added the Selects division, which hosts A and B calibre teams.
"We really wanted to make sure girls from around here had a place to play competitive level ball," she said, adding there are also the Matrix teams, too (C and D level players).
"Essentially, our mission is to make sure we provide quality-level ball for any girl that wants to play. No one should be denied playing it because they can't find a community nearby that offers it."
Looking ahead, evaluations for the 2025 Selects are set for Aug. 28-29. Winter training then kicks in at various school gyms around Lacombe.
"We are very lucky there are areas around here where we can do training in the winter."
Matrix evaluations run in March of next year.
Jones said the association also welcomes prospective players to check out the organization and give softball a closer look if they are thinking of giving it a try.
"Every year, our try-outs are getting bigger and bigger. So we encourage local girls to come out, and even just watch a practice," she said.
"We are so proud of these small-town girls who have really pulled together, become a team, and literally took over western Canada! We beat out a tonne of teams, and the last game was actually televised so it can be viewed on Youtube," she said.
"I love watching them come together, and show their skills - to watch them put in the hard work and dedication, and be successful. They started out as little Matrix players playing at the D level, and now they are winning western Canadian championships!"
For more about the Lacombe Minor Softball Association, head to www.lacombeminorbaseball.
