GIRLS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND BOTH DAYS. FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT ATTEND ONE OR BOTH DAYS, YOU MUST CONTACT THE APPLICABLE COACH FOR INSTRUCTIONS (Coaches are listed at the bottom of this page with email address). All sessions are at Trafalgar.
Squirts - 2000 / 1999
DAY 1 Wednesday, September 8 - registration 5:30 pm Evaluation - 6 - 7:30 pm
DAY 2 Saturday, September 11 - 10 am - 12:30 pm
Pee Wee - 1998 / 1997
DAY 1 Wednesday, September 8 - registration 5:30 pm Evaluation 6 - 7:30 pm
DAY 2 Saturday, September 11 - 1 - 3:30 pm
Bantam - 1996 / 1995
DAY 1 Friday, September 10 - 5:30 registration Evaluation - 6 - 7:30 pm
DAY 2 Saturday, September 11 - 10 am - 12:30 pm
Evaluations are open to all players in the categories listed and interested players should be available for both evaluation sessions on the dates listed for their respective category.
Players will be evaluated on their ability to preform various softball skills, throwing, catching, fielding, bunting, hitting, base running and sliding as well as their athletic ability, ability to take direction, enthusiasm, competitive drive and focus.
Players will need to bring the following equipment: glove, helmet, running shoes or cleats (cleats preferred) sliding equipment (sliding shorts / pads or sweat pants) mouth guard (unless helmet cage and infield mask).
The VWMSA encourages and supports a "rep" or repertory program as an outlet for those
who want to excel at the game, or who don't find the competition at
house to be stiff enough. Rep teams typically:
practice in the off season,
practice twice weekly in season,
play more games (20-24 vs. 18 for house or "C" ball) starting in early April
participate in tournaments (often 3-4 per season)
fund raise (and/or draw on parents) to cover the cost of extra uniforms, clothing, tournaments, equipment and travel
play in provincials in mid-July for the top VWMSA team in their division
While house teams generally play only at the home fields until they are Bantam (15-16), Rep teams play in an interlock with surrounding Associations, so just over half the games require travel to places like Richmond, Burnaby, North Vancouver and Delta.
The "B" level is a level that many house division players could play in with good results. The VWMSA would like to form "B" teams from Squirt to Midget, with 2
teams per division divided by birth year, to allow the girls to compete at a higher level
without having to play cross-boundary. We also try to have "Mites Selects" team every year, coaches available (see the Mites page). As a relatively small association, if we are competitive it is because of coaching and competitive spirit rather than because we have drawn on a large pool of talented kids. We had two rep "B" teams in 2009, but will have four in 2010. There is no limit on the number of "B" teams that our Association can
register in the interlock. The practical limit seems to be the number
of coaches and players that are prepared to dedicate the time and
effort needed to compete at a higher level.
"A" Teams
While we may have individual kids capable of playing "A" ball, the VWMSA at present is too small to have enough players of that calibre to form an "A" team. Players wishing to play "A" ball typically try out for the teams in surrounding Associations, usually Richmond or North Vancouver. Playing cross boundary at any level requires a cross boundary permit from Softball BC.
How to Sign Up
Any player who was not a member of a rep team in a prior year that
wishes to be considered for selection on a rep team should contact the
coach of the rep team for their age group/birth year. The coaches for the Wildcats
rep teams for the current/upcoming season are listed on the individual pages and at the bottom of this page. At Registration, players are invited to state on their registration whether they wish to play at the rep level.
The selection process varies from year to year, and from team to team, and at the moment is left entirely up to the coach. Our intention is to build around a core of girls of a particular birth year, and have them play ball together, adding to the team to make up for attrition. For now, on most teams it is simply finding kids willing to commit to the extra time, cost and most importantly the desire to play more ball.
Cost
The cost of playing rep softball is somewhat more than playing house. Fees from the association are the same, but players will be purchasing uniforms. Typical total cost excluding league fees (assuming no fundraising) for first year in rep is $500-$700, with lower costs in subsequent years (replacement of worn or outgrown equipment). This includes personal equipment, team equipment, clothing, and tournament fees. Travel costs vary by team, and are generally a team decision. The association does not pay for rep team tournament fees, as it does for house teams (entry fee for one tournament). Rep teams normally fund raise through sponsors and other fund raising activities, to defray the added costs of playing at the rep level.
Tournaments
The number of tournaments rep teams enter in each year depends on the coaching staff, management, and level of interest amongst the players and their parents. Rep teams will ordinarily enter one or more pre-season "ice breaker" tournaments, as well as other tournaments during the season. The players usually crave the chance to travel where overnight stays are part of the event; how much they do depends on the coaches and parents.
Playoffs
The playoff format for B rep teams is different than for house teams. At the end of the regular season, there is a playoff within our District (District 5), which includes the Wildcats and (if they have a team) the Vancouver Lakers who play out of east Vancouver. At the moment, the Lakers program is very limited, so VWMSA teams normally represent District 5. In 2010, the playoffs will be between two VWMSA Squirt teams, and between two VWMSA PeeWee teams. The winner of that playoff proceeds to the Provincial Championship, and then perhaps can proceed to the Western Canadian Championships and the Canadian Championships. Western Canadians and Canadians are not available at all levels. As well, District 5 typically forms a Canada Games teams in those years from girls of the correct age band (PeeWee); that team consists mostly of VWMSA players, but is not a VWMSA team.
WILDCATS REP PROGRAM
