Two Burns Lake athletes – Brandon Larsen and Brendan Alec – are among the 15 players selected to represent Team B.C. Men’s Softball at the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg.
The roster was finalized after 50 athletes attended three identification camps held in Surrey and Prince George starting in September 2016.
Larsen said he couldn’t describe the feeling of being selected for Team B.C.
“I’ve never made a team so important to me, in my life,” he said. “To be representing the top 15 players that are under 21 in B.C. is a huge accomplishment for me.”
Larsen said that becoming a professional athlete has always been his dream.
“I hope to eventually reach my goal, but not becoming pro would never discourage me from playing softball,” he said. “Softball has always been the sport I’ve been most passionate for.”
His mother Leila Larsen said she and her husband have always known that Brandon would become an athlete.
“He started throwing and catching a ball at eight months old and was hitting pitches that his dad threw him at two years old,” she said. “Unfortunately there was no baseball for kids in Burns Lake, so he grew up playing hockey.”
“As parents, we couldn’t be more proud of him,” she added. “We’ll be going to Winnipeg to support the boys and their team and to cheer them on.”
The men’s softball team is actively training leading up to the games, which run from July 28 to Aug. 13, 2017. The men’s softball tournament will take place at John Blumberg Softball Complex during the first week of the games.
The Canada Games are a national multi-sport competition with participation from every province and territory in Canada. The games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer.
The 2017 Canada Summer Games will bring together approximately 4000 athletes, coaches, and managers to compete in 16 sports. Team B.C. will bring together a delegation of 450 athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff.
This year the games will celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, coinciding with Canada’s 150th birthday.
Brendan Alec could not be reached by press time.
