Celebrating P.W.S.A. Womxn

Here are some of the female leaders or womxn that have inspired others.

Elissa Sivel is extremely dedicated to developing the sport. She grew up in a rural community and worked at developing as an athlete to create situations for herself where she was recruited by several high level teams. She competed with the University of Ottawa team for 7 years for 3 degrees. She has continued to work to develop the capacity of pitchers in Ontario through commitment to Can Pitch and is a highly sought after pitching instructor. She continues to coach at the University of Ottawa as well as a u14 select team to promote the sport.

Johanna Malisani is an exemplary sports leader. She has worked with athletes of all levels from introduction to the Canada Games. Her skills were recognized internationally when she was hired by the Great Britain softball association to galvanize their program and coaches several teams. Upon her return to Ontario, she immediately renewed her commitment to development when she joined the P.W.S.A. Board as well as the Softball Ontario coaches committee. Her skills as a champion for equity earned her a spot on the Softball Canada Diversity and Inclusion team and she is a Softball Ontario Coach Developer and continues to inspire coaches across the Province.

Alika Kingsbury is an exceptional athlete. She has competed at the highest levels and is one of the best players on the Bytowne Belles. She recently moved to London Ontario and immediately sought an opportunity to begin giving back to the sport through coaching. She is coaching a group of u18 athletes and working hard to develop her skills as a coach and help support the next generation of softball players.

Courtney Gilbert is an exceptional athlete. She has represented her province at the Canada Games and her country at various events. She was a highly recruited college player and continued to compete in the PWSA throughout her career. When she returned to Ontario she began coaching and is actively working towards NCCP certification. She is a skilled communicator and her passion for the sport and ability to help young athletes is exceptional. I am very proud to know her.

Steph Manson is extremely passionate about the OIWFA. This is a special league that provides an opportunity for female athletes in Ontario Universities to continue to play softball. The league comes with many competing interests and perspectives snd Steph has risen to the top of the organization to become the first female president. She has handled herself with great skill and navigated through many difficult challenges during covid. She continues to compete at a high level with the Bytowne Belles and is working to create spaces for female athletes to continue to play after she is retired.

Angelina Bomberry has a strong passion and gift for playing softball. Without hesitation, she has participated in many opportunities to improve and fine tune her game. Even though the game of softball can be stressful – it has helped her clear her mind since she is focused on the game. Dedication, being a team player and keeping her cool are just some of the strengths she brings to the field. Angelina gives 110% to the game by hustling every play; her willingness to try a new drill, encouraging fellow team mates and leading cheers. At 19 years of age, she has already accomplished so much, thanks to her hard work and softball. Some of her accolades over the years have recognized her for being an All-Star Pitcher, Most Dedicated player, Most Valuable player; as well as, being part of teams who have earned a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal. She has been recognized for both her athletic and academic career with recently receiving the Wendy Cathcart Bursary. During her first year of playing with the McMaster Marauders Women’s Fastpitch team in 2019 she assisted the team with placing third at the OIWFA Championship and was awarded an OIWFA All-Star Award. Given her passion for softball, she wants to be an example to other young Indigenous athletes and a trail-blazer. She wants to ensure other female athletes have the same opportunities and access to sport and recreation programs as she had. Without a doubt, softball has given a lot to Angelina and as long as the opportunities are available to her to play the sport she loves, she will continue to do so. She has always been very thankful to those who have encouraged her and supported her along the way and particularly to those who have helped mold her in her journey.

Erin Foreman has had a transformational impact on softball in her region. She worked tirelessly to build the sport in her area and has created lots of opportunities for athletes of all levels. She has inspired many athletes who have reached the Pinnacle of their softball career and have a chance to compete at the Olympics, but equally as importantly she has taught hundreds of kids valuable life lessons through softball that will stay with them for the rest of their life. Erin is a transformational leader and inspired people across the province.

Steph Bouchey is the Head Coach of the Women’s Softball team at the University of Ottawa. She has transformed the program and leveraged relationships to improve fundraising and the relationship and status with the University. Since she has taken over the team has hosted a Provincial and National championship and also has been welcomed more fully into the University community. Steph has built relationships with stakeholders around Ottawa and is a highly sought after instructor for minor softball teams. This has enhanced the standing of the program within the community and made the team a magnet for young atheltes making decisions about where they will attend for post-secondary. Steph continues to compete at a high level in the PWSA with the Bytowne Belles.

Lesley Pipher has broken boundaries in several areas of the sport. She completed at a high level in Canada and then continued to play at the World Masters Games as an adult. She is a level 5 umpire and one of Softball Ontario’s new Coach Developers where she will help improve capacity for coaches.

Debbie Malisani does a PILE of work to ensure female athletes have a place to play. She has spent countless hours in meetings, phone calls and responding to emails to ensure that she reflects the values and suggestions of her membership. Covid has been tough on everyone but Debbie has gone above and beyond to work to ensure athletes have as many opportunities to play as possible. I have also had the opportunity to observe her within the larger softball context in Canada and am consistently awed at her ability to build consensus by listening to others and working collaboratively for innovative solutions. I admire her a great deal and think she is very deserving of recognition.