Softball Canada has announced the 2022 Women’s National Softball Team program coaching staff. Newly appointed Head Coach Kaleigh Rafter will be joined by returning assistant coach Chris Jones and recently retired Olympian Jenn Salling to round out the coaching staff.
“I am excited to announce this coaching staff,” stated Head Coach Rafter. “The hiring process was extremely competitive and exceeded my expectations in both the quality and quantity of applicants. I believe we have assembled a group of coaches with a great blend of experience and who are passionate about growing the game of softball in Canada.”
Salling joins the coaching staff after retiring from her playing career following her Olympic record performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where she hit .571 and earned the bronze medal as a member of Team Canada. She is a two-time Olympian who first appeared with the National Team in 2006 and played in a total of five WBSC Women’s Softball World Cups (three bronze medals) and four Pan American Games (one gold and three silver).
Jones returns to the program after serving as an assistant coach from 2019 to 2021, highlighted by a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games and a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He has a wealth of playing experience with the Canadian Men’s National Team program and won gold at the 1995 and 1999 Pan American Games and added a silver medal at the 2004 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup.
The Canadian Women’s National Softball Team is currently 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 (dates and location to be determined) in 2022.
