For Team Manitoba’s women’s softball team, getting this team ready to compete at this level has been about building something deeper than just combining talented players. 

“Putting together a team of athletes from all over the province, who don't typically play together, comes with its own unique set of challenges,” assistant coach Sarah Shotton shared. “For that reason, I would say that our togetherness and our ability to bond and be a complete unit has been the most significant area of growth for us.”

Shotton, who was part of Manitoba's Canada Games softball squad back in 2009, sees her coaching contribution as part of a collective.

“Our coaching staff and all of our management — we are putting in a team effort.” she said. “We all bring different emotional skills to the plate, we bring different technical skills to the plate, we bring different coaching strategy to the plate, and all of those things together is what makes our staff very qualified and allows us to help improve for our athletes”

That shared approach helped prepare this team for the competition that awaited them in St. John’s. With experience at Western and National Championships, both the coaches and players were well aware of the stakes — and ready for them.

“We’re a scrappy province,” Sarah said. “We’re putting our best athletes on the field and doing the best with the time we have.”

If there's one lesson Shotton aims to pass on, it's the importance of confidence under pressure.

“Overthinking is a killer,” she said. “We have to always resort back to trusting ourselves and knowing our strengths. That’s really what sets you apart. It’s the athletes who are able to keep calm and collected and remember that they deserve to be here, and play like they deserve to be here, and play like they know that they are the best that their province has to offer.”

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We’re Playing for More Than Ourselves — Shortstop Molly Conrad Shares Her Canada Games Journey

For Molly Conrad (17, Swan Lake MB), Team Manitoba’s shortstop, the Canada Games experience has been about more than just the competition.

“You’re not just playing for yourself,” she said. “You’re playing for your team, your family, your province. It’s been absolutely incredible.”

Being surrounded by the best talent from across Manitoba has pushed her to grow as a player, teammate, and leader.

“Every practice, every game, every mental session — they’re constantly pushing you to the best of your ability,” she said. “My confidence for sure has improved knowing that I have my  coaches and team backing me up.”

The Canada Games brought top-tier competition — and for Molly, the level of intensity was unmatched.

“The competition here is absolutely insane. It pushes you physically mentally, and emotionally. I mean at the end of the day it’s the team that shows up who is prepared in that way who are going to end up on top.”

Molly is grateful for the opportunity to represent her province on the national stage. 

“There’s so many athletes at home that wish to be in my shoes. When times were getting tough I reminded myself that I’m lucky to be here representing Manitoba.”

“It can get hard sometimes, especially when you come up against these top dog teams and Manitoba is often overlooked. But it brings me comfort knowing that we are all chosen for a reason and we can compete with anybody here.”

“In the end I feel we represented our province well.”