Our organization was formed to give girls an opportunity to participate in a safe and inclusive environment. With humble beginnings, the North Nova Highlanders hosted the first ever all girls Provincial Tournament in 2019, with 14 girls and only a handful of practices under their belts. Since that first season, we have continued to expand our program to encompass girls from ages 8-16 years of age. Our athlete involvement has been steadily increasing with over 30 girls participating in 2021 and over 40 girls in 2022. Our program is made up of girls from Antigonish, Inverness, Richmond, Guysborough and Pictou counties. In 2021 a team of 13 girls participated in the first ever 14U Baseball Nova Scotia Bluenose League Provincial Tournament.
Our team of coaches support our athletes in their development of fundamental baseball skills, knowledge of the game, and the thrill and excitement of competition. We strive to maintain a fair, respectful and positive team environment. We empower our girls to make decisions, take on leadership roles and we create opportunities for peer mentoring. Our goal is to instill a love for the game of baseball and help the girls develop skills that are useful beyond the baseball diamond. These endeavours have been supported by an all female coaching team with many years of combined experience. As head coach, I have more than 17 years experience with Antigonish Minor Baseball, as well as Challenger Baseball and was named Baseball Nova Scotia's Coach of the Year for 2021.
In 2023 we are working to increase our membership and to reduce barriers that may prevent girls from registering. Our focus is not just about baseball, but about building a diverse community of girls who wish to be part of a strong female community. I encourage all women to come join us, help us continue to build a strong community for our girls
Our program offers both recreational play and competitive travel teams. Our numbers, ages and interest of players will dictate what we have for competitive travel teams. In 2022 we had a 14U competitive travel team and in 2023 we will have a 16U competitive travel team and are hoping to have enough players this season to add a 12U and 14U competitive travel teams. All this will depend on commitment from players, parents and coaches.
Competitve teams are entered into the Baseball Nova Scotia Bluenose League. They set our schedule for the season, which ends with Provincial Tournaments. Players who choose to play competitve will have some extra practices and will need to give notification when they are not going to be available for games. Players who plan on extended times away throughout the season need to make this known prior to committing to comppetitive play so that we can prepare for that and make sure enough players will be available. Players who choose not to play on a competitive travel team will have the opportunity to play games both within our own girls program as well as against local teams.
Our schedule has the girls on the fields Tuesdays and Thursdays. Times are still being arranged and you will be notified prior to the start of the season. Younger players will play on field #2 with the older players being moved to field #3 this season. As well competitve teams will have additional practice time on Friday evenings.
Any questions please contact me at northnovahighlanders@gmail.com or (902)867-0705
