It was a dream come true for an athlete from Boissevain who has been working to make Canada’s national softball team. 

Softball Canada has announced the list of athletes who have been named to the Canadian U18 Women’s National Team that will compete in the 2024 WBSC Americas Pan American Championship from March 30 – April 6 in Montería, Colombia. 

18-year-old Danika Nell was the only Manitoban named to the team. “It’s a dream come true and something I’ve been working hard to achieve for the past number of years.” 

Invitational identification camps were conducted in February 2024, drawing upon past open identification camps and scouting efforts at major tournaments throughout the previous year, including the 2023 Canadian Championships.  

“I’ll be pitching for Team Canada, and this has been a fast process with the last tryout just over two weeks ago and I got my call this past week. I’m hoping to contribute as a two-way player and get some at bats in at the plate,” said Nell. 

Eleven nations are set to compete in the upcoming Pan American Championship, grouped into two divisions for the preliminary round. Team Canada finds itself in Group B, alongside Brazil, Cuba, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Group A features, Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Peru. The top three teams will advance to the Super Round, with the top five teams at the end of the event securing spots in the 2024 WBSC U18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage. 

The World Cup Group Stages have been awarded to Sao Paolo, Brazil (Group A – July 23-27), Pingtan, China (Group B – August 14-18) and Dallas, USA (Group C – August 29 to September 2). 

 

"We're in a tough pool but I feel with our roster we'll be ready to compete."

Danika Nell is a Grade 12 student and this fall heads to Boston University to start her college career. 

Here’s Danika Nell in conversation with reporter Barry Lamb: