Because the GB Under-15 Women’s Fastpitch Team does not have a European Championship this year, the GB Women’s programme 
has decided to send a combined team of athletes to compete at Under-17 level in the 2023 Canada Cup, and selections for this team have now been made.
The Canada Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious open women’s fastpitch tournaments, and GB Senior and age group teams have played there on numerous occasions over the past 20 years, testing themselves against top national and club teams from around the world.
This year’s GB Under-17 squad, made up of GB Under-15 and Under-18 athletes, will be led by GB Under-15 and Under-13 Head Coach Jodie Rushin, and will be competing in the Canada Cup Under-17 Showcase Gold Tournament from 10-16 July in Surrey, British Columbia, near Vancouver.
Jodie Rushin said: “Players who were not selected for the GB Under-18 Women’s European Championship squad have been invited to join this Under-17 Team to strengthen our overall roster. While Under-17 is not an ordinary GB age group, the team will be composed primarily of Under-15 athletes supplemented by some older players.”
Players and staff
Sixteen athletes have been selected for the tournament by the GB Under-15 coaching staff, along with two non-travelling reserves:
Emma Biles
Abigail Chan
Lily Daniels
Becky Davies
Isla Dodson-Richi
Clara Fontana
Amber Frost
Lydia Garrett
Kailyn Haig
Amy Hartle
Camryn Hogg
Anna Kingston
Rebecca Longman
Nia Phillips
Megan Rollins
Catherine Young
Players selected as non-travelling reserves are:
Mack Brown
Ella Heath
The staff that will travel with the team is:
Head Coach: Jodie Rushin
Team Operations Manager: Sarah Rushin
Assistant Coaches: Dani Briggs, Jasmine Rushin and Shannon Plese
Sports Therapist: Natasha Furnell
Tournament aims
Jodie Rushin said: “The team travelling to the Canada Cup is a collective of Under-15 and Under-18 athletes who have come together to form an Under-17 team, with the aim of promoting the development of players who will compete in the European Championship next year for the Under-15 age group.
“The team has been selected through a rigorous process of face-to-face trials for UK-based athletes and video submissions from non-UK-based athletes,” Jodie added. “The players have put in tremendous effort and dedication to earn their spot on the team, and we will be thrilled to see them showcase their skills against experienced teams from the USA, Canada, and Israel. We know that this will be a real test for our athletes, but we believe in their abilities and are confident that they will rise to the occasion and represent GB Softball with pride.”