There will be plenty of local content at the Canada Cup, when the annual women’s fastpitch tournament arrives at Softball City Friday.

The White Rock Renegades – who’ve long been well represented in the event’s Futures (under-18) and Showcase (under-16) divisions – will again be front and centre. Three Renegades squads will be in the Futures division – the ‘91 and ‘92 midget clubs as well as the ‘93 bantams – and another, the ‘94 Renegades, will compete in the showcase division.

However, this year White Rock will also field both a junior and senior team in the women’s international tournament. The ‘Gades have periodically entered teams into the top division, but this is the first time in recent years that two clubs will compete.

“It’s great to see this many teams this year,” said Chuck Westgard, head coach of the Renegades ‘91.

Both White Rock teams will play in the new North American division, alongside the Delta Sunfire and a host of American club teams. The five international entries will play in their own division.

Westgard’s midget squad is in its fourth year at the Canada Cup - they first participated in the Showcase event – and he’s confident his charges will be in contention for a Futures title.

Twelve of the 14 players on Westgard’s club have college scholarships, and last week four of them – Taylor McBeth, Marina Groenewegen, Charlotte Dolan and Marina Demore – were among 30 players invited to Team Canada’s selection camp in Victoria. Eighteen will make the final roster.

Should any of the four make the national side, they would still be at the Canada Cup, but would suit up for Canada, not the Renegades. When he spoke to the Peace Arch News last week, Westgard did not know if any would stick with the big club.

“I sure hope we get them back with us, but it’s a great opportunity for them to play with the national team, too,” he said.

For all White Rock squads, competing at a high-level tournament such as the Canada Cup is not only a great learning experience, but also a good tuneup for provincials, which begin for many teams the following weekend.

Westgard’s midgets will travel to Port Alberni for provincials on July 24.

“It’s good preparation for us, for sure. The Canada Cup environment rubs off on everybody and gets all the girls – even the bat girls – excited, which is good with provincials coming soon,” he said.

However, for now Westgard’s focus is solely on the Canada Cup, and though he’s a veteran of the event, he’s excited about this year more than ever.

“Because this year we really have a chance to win it,” he said.