It was a heavy medal weekend for the South Surrey White Rock Minor Softball Association, with several of its U11C teams scoring medals at a jamboree in Cloverdale.
With 14 teams from across Surrey playing in the minor softball tournament June 14-15, SSWRMSA saw three of its U11C teams reach the podium, SSWRMSA president Thomas Bell noted in an email.
The Purple Bashers captured gold in the gold bracket after a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Cloverdale Lightning, while the Bandits earned Bronze in the gold bracket, and the Teal Tornadoes won bronze in the silver bracket, capping a strong weekend of play.
“We’re really proud of how all our players represented the association,” Bell said. “The results are exciting, but what we value most is the progress and growth we’re seeing in our athletes. It’s a reflection of the time and heart they’ve put into the game.”
The Purple Bashers are enjoying an impressive season, having also taken bronze at the U11C Softball BC Celebration of Softball Regional Championship and silver at the association’s May Madness Tournament — an annual event designed to give players, coaches, and umpires their first valuable tournament experience.
Also standing out this season is the U11 Rep Thunder 2014 team, coached by Jon Bosnick, which has consistently delivered strong results, Bell continued. They earned silver at SSWRMSA’s U11 Rep Tournament, followed by gold in the silver pool at the May Mayhem Tournament in Ridge Meadows and another gold in the B Bracket at the Langley Rep Tournament.
While the association continues to prioritize long-term development and a love for the game, this past weekend offered a glimpse of how that work is beginning to pay off, Bell shared.
Much of this success stems from SSWRMSA’s emphasis on player development, he explained.
For example, the U11 Thunder Renegades Softball Skills Academy, created in partnership with the White Rock Renegades Fastpitch Club, launched this past winter with a 16-week off-season training program.
“We had 50 players in our first-ever academy,” said Bell. “It’s been a fantastic opportunity for our young athletes to build confidence and sharpen their skills. We’re looking to expand it next year to include even more players.”
In addition to the academy, SSWRMSA offers a range of development opportunities through the Thunder Rep and Select Development programs, and regular pitching, batting, and skills clinics. Combined, these initiatives support roughly 100 U11 players, with programming also available for athletes from U9 through U19, whether they play in rep or community divisions.
Bell also pointed out that success this season hasn’t been limited to the U11 level.
The U15C Stealers took silver at their district championship, falling just one run short in a "thrilling" final, while the U13B Thunder 2012 team captured bronze in Port Coquitlam after playing six games over two days, finishing on a high note with a win over West Kelowna.
“It’s been a season full of encouraging moments,” Bell said. “We’ve seen our players grow — not just in skill, but in confidence, leadership, and teamwork. That’s what really matters most.”
Despite major renovations at Sunnyside Park, which temporarily reduced field availability and led to a cap on registrations, SSWRMSA successfully ran a full season with nine rep teams and 31 house teams, from Learn to Play through U19, Bell added.
With help from the City of Surrey, additional field space was secured to keep games and practices running smoothly, he shared.
“We’re incredibly thankful to the city for stepping in to help us this year,” Bell noted. “With Sunnyside Park expected to return next season, we’re optimistic about being able to welcome even more families into our programs.”
SSWRMSA’s Diamond Academy Summer Camp, which runs in August, is already sold out. The camp focuses on building skills and confidence in a fun, supportive environment emphasizing positivity, resilience, and a love of the game.
As the season continues — with more district, regional, and provincial tournaments still to come, including Canada Cup — SSWRMSA remains focused on what matters most: creating a welcoming, developmental, and competitive space for young athletes to thrive, Bell said.
“We’re excited for what’s still ahead,” said Bell. “Whether we’re celebrating a medal or a milestone, the goal remains the same: to help every player grow, enjoy the game, and build memories that will last a lifetime.”
