As part of their ongoing Canadian tour, the International Softball Academy’s (ISA) New Zealand under-19 development team made a stop in Cross Lake June 22−24 to participate in the 2018 Kiwi Cup Challenge.
This tournament, put together by Softball Manitoba for the second year in a row, featured five other teams from Cross Lake and the surrounding area and was designed to help these young athletes develop their skills by pitting them against much older opponents.
“It was exceptional, well-organized, the quality of umpires was good, everything was run pretty smoothly,” said team manager Craig Waterhouse. “They treated us fantastically and the quality of the baseball was such that we finished fifth.”
Even though the team was slightly disappointed in how they ranked in the tournament, Waterhouse said the boys still got a great opportunity to take part in a unique cultural exchange, which is one of the program’s primary objectives.
Not only did their Cross Lake hosts provide them with a traditional Indigenous feast, but the New Zealanders also integrated elements of Māori culture into the tournament, performing a haka, or war dance, during every game.
“The kids get exposed, continually, to better softball, so they get better, but they also have a cultural experience,” said Waterhouse. “So when we get home the parents notice a difference. They think the guys have matured.”
According to Allan Miswaggon, a member of the Pimicikamak Softball Association, a large group of people from the community came out to watch this visiting team play and provided them with a great reception.
“Having the New Zealand team here was something really special,” he said. “They were treated like royalty or celebrities for those three days. They were very humble and they’re taking photo ops and taking part in community events.”
While the New Zealand team’s 22-day Canadian tour, which also included stops in Alberta and Saskatchewan, wraps up July 4, Waterhouse said they would definitely return if Softball Manitoba decides to organize another Kiwi Cup next year.
Meanwhile, Miswaggon said some of the local Cross Lake teams have even expressed a desire to play ball in New Zealand during the 2018 holiday season, although those plans have yet to be solidified.
