Come Cheer on the Israeli National Women’s Softball Team!
If you are looking for a great event to attend with family and friends this summer, you’ve found it in the Surrey 2016 Women’s World Softball Championship July 15–24—with an opportunity to enjoy Israeli music, food and culture while you’re there!
Israeli Team Joining International Competition
The world is coming to Surrey this year as they welcome the world's best fastpitch athletes to the Championship, with more than 30 nations competing. Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Centre, along with generous community donors, are partnering with the event organizing committee to support the participation of the Israeli team in this first-class family-oriented event.
This is the first time an Israeli team will be stepping onto the women’s softball world stage, competing with elite athletes who have been called “the Henrik Sedins of women's softball.” This will also be the first time since the Montreal Olympics that an Israeli national team is coming to North America to participate in a team sport. We have the immense honour of hosting this team in our community.
Celebrate Israeli Culture on July 18
The Softball Championships are being held from July 15–24 at Softball City and will include a Celebration of Nations, which showcases music, food and culture from each participating country. Everyone is invited to attend a free community barbeque Sunday, July 17 at 4:30 p.m. to meet the Israeli competitors; click here to RSVP. On July 18, join Israeli festivities from 12:00–8:00 p.m. as local Jewish organizations showcase Israeli culture for our community and international visitors. Tickets are not required for these events.
The team’s participation has been made possible through the generous support of the Value Group of Companies (Arnold and Anita Silber) and ZLC Financial (Garry Zlotnik) who have spearheaded community fundraising efforts to support the team and community engagement initiatives throughout the tournament.
Thousands to Attend
This event is significant for our Jewish community, and the City of Surrey has spent three years preparing for an event of this magnitude. They have pumped $1.5 million into upgrades to Softball City, where the games will be held. According to the tournament’s organizing committee chairman, this will be the biggest single sport team event in Canadian history. At the World Championship level, almost a thousand athletes and coaches will be participating. A youth tournament will also be happening at the same time with 1,500 athletes competing. Estimates have over 5,000 spectators coming out for some games. This event is sure to wow and impress all who attend and will be a great way to introduce our Israeli athletes to our welcoming, dynamic Canadian culture.
Let’s celebrate these elite Israeli athletes as they compete in Canada under the Israeli flag.
Join the Fun!
Free Community BBQ:
The entire community is invited to meet the Israeli team at a free BBQ on Sunday, July 17 at 4:30 p.m. at Softball City. Please RSVP to israel@jccgv.bc.ca.
Festival of Nations:
Come participate in the festivities at Softball City on July 18th from 12:00–8:00 p.m. as local Jewish organizations showcase Israeli culture for our community and international visitors.
Volunteer:
Volunteers are still needed to help out at the Festival of Nations’ Israel booth. Contact Dafna Silberstein at dsilberstein@jewishvancouver.com for more information.
Games Schedule:
July 15 at 3:30 p.m. vs USA
July 16 at 8:00 p.m. vs Brazil
July 17 at 8:00 p.m. vs Austria
For tickets, visit surrey2016.com/tickets/new.
