Though there are eight returning players from the 2008 Summer Olympics, this year's version of Team Canada is considered to be a younger, less-experienced squad.

Even head coach Mark Smith will be making his Canada Cup debut, but that doesn't mean he's a rookie when it comes to softball at the world-class level.

In fact until recently, Smith had been the coach of Canada’s national men's team, a position he had held since 2001. He feels being a young team gives his squad somewhat of an advantage.

“I’m a big believer in thinking positive and often when you come to these events and you’re not a favourite it’s easy to sneak up on teams,” said Smith, a native of Falmouth, Nova Scotia.

“We’ve got great leadership and eight returning Olympians, so yeah we’ll have some bumps along the way but I really believe we’ll be just fine in the end.”

The Canada Cup roster has a strong local contingent, with five players hailing from South Surrey, North Delta, Langley and Cloverdale.

One of those players is veteran pitcher and Langley native Danielle Lawrie, who was recently named U.S. Softball Collegiate Player of the year. She says her team expects to do well every time they take to the field.

“The goal is to win. With eight returning players, we have people who understand what it takes to play at this level and win against teams of this calibre,” Lawrie said.

With half of the line-up made up of rookies at the international level, Canada will be looking for this tournament and a similar one in Okalahoma City in a few weeks as tune-ups for their Pan-American Games qualifier in Venezuela at the end of July.

First-time national team member and Surrey native Jessica Tieszen is a utility infielder for the club and in her own words, is there to help out at any position she’s needed in. She is a product of the Surrey Storm Fastpitch Association and says she is eager to represent her country and play with some of the best talent in the world.

“It’s extremely exciting to be surrounded by such talented players and coaches,” said Tieszen.

“We’ve had five days together so far and we’ll be spending the next month and a half together so it gives us younger players the chance to ask questions and look to the older girls as to how they handle pressure, how they run the plays and what to expect.”

The Canada Cup tournament gets underway this weekend as Team Canada meets Venezuela on Saturday July 4 at 3:30 p.m. at Softball City.

For a complete tournament schedule, check www.CanadaCup.com

- by Daniel Hendriksen