Softball Canada announced that two-time Olympian Kaleigh Rafter has been named Head Coach of the Women’s National Team program. Rafter recently retired from her playing career after winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games and will now turn her attention to coaching the National Team.
“I cannot put into words the excitement I have for being named Head Coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team” stated Kaleigh Rafter. “I am humbled at the trust Softball Canada has put in me. This program has risen to new heights, culminating with a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. I want to thank all those who came before me that helped build the program, especially Coach Mark Smith who led us for the last 12 years.”
Rafter as a player was a fixture with the Women’s National Team from 2007. She is a two-time Olympian, a four-time Pan American Games medallist (one gold; three silver) and represented Canada in five WBSC World Cups, winning three bronze medals. She also won a gold medal at the 2007 Universiade (World University Games) and played two seasons of professional softball in Japan and one in the National Pro Fastpitch League.
“We are very excited to see Kaleigh take on the responsibilities of Head Coach of our Women’s National Team program” stated Softball Canada President Scott Neiles. “Her passion and commitment to the Women’s National Team has been exceptional and we are very confident in the abilities and energy she will bring to lead this program in a very positive direction. We feel her experience as a player and as a coach will be a tremendous asset to our team going forward.”
Canada is currently ranked third in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Rankings. In 2022, the Canadian Women’s National Team is slated to compete at the Canada Cup in Surrey, B.C. (June 20-26), the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama (July 9-13) and the WBSC Americas Pan American Championship, qualifier for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup (dates and location to be determined).
