Gilbert And Rafter Named To 2016 Women's Canadian National Team Athlete Pool
8/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BUFFALO, NY – Softball Canada announced its pool for the 2016 Women's National Team and included in the list is incoming freshman Courtney Gilbert and current assistant coach Kaleigh Rafter. The coaching staff will select up to twenty-six (26) athletes from the Athlete Pool to attend a World Championship Selection Camp in December 2015 or January 2016. The Women's National Team will compete at the 2016 WBSC Women's World Softball Championship from July 15-24 in Surrey, BC. The team's full 2016 schedule will be finalized at a later date.
Gilbert most recently played for the Canadian Junior National Team, helping lead her country to a fourth place finish at the World Championships, its highest ever finish. Gilbert was one of top offensive threats for Team Canada during the tournament.
Rafter has spent a number of the years on the Senior National Team, most recently leading Team Canada to a gold medal at the Pan-American Games. Rafter batted .385 in the tournament with a .731 slugging percentage, good for fourth in the tournament. She led all players in the Pan-Am games in runs batted in and her two home runs were tied for second most. In the championship game, Rafter started at catcher and went 1-for-2 with two walks.
Athletes named to the Women's National Team Athlete Pool are eligible to be invited to Senior or Junior National Team training camps and selection camps. Athletes may be named to the National Team Athlete Pool at any time at the Head Coach's discretion.
