VMSA

Established in 1993, the Vancouver Minor Softball Association (“VMSA”) is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada and is affiliated with the Canadian Amateur Softball Association (“Softball Canada”) and the British Columbia Amateur Softball Association (“Softball BC”). We are a non-profit community softball association, run by volunteers and elected officials.  VMSA serves the City of Vancouver and delivers softball programming for girls and young women who want to learn, play, have fun, and develop their softball and life skills.  We also foster and value positive parent, volunteer, supporter, and sponsor experiences.  VMSA currently serves approximately 400 players, aged 4 to 19 years. 

The vision of VMSA is to create a supportive environment to learn and play softball while promoting the values of fair play and skill development.  We believe increasing youth participation in softball is extremely important for girls and young women, as it will enhance their physical, mental, emotional, and cognitive development.  More specifically, VMSA believes that providing access to softball provides young female athletes opportunities to develop: softball skills (across multiple areas); confidence; leadership; decision making; friendship and camaraderie; and other life skills.  Ultimately, VMSA seeks to promote a lifelong involvement in softball based on the notion that playing the game is fun. 

VMSA’s approach emphasizes development of individual and team skills, a dedication to practice and self-improvement, commitment to team and club; and the values of sportsmanship, integrity, fair play, safety, inclusiveness, and respect. 

VMSA endorses and follows Softball Canada’s Long Term Player Development Model (“LTPD”), which provides optimal training, competition, and recovery principles and practices for our players through sequential stages from childhood through to adulthood. It recognizes there are two distinct streams in softball – the lifelong recreational sport and the elite competitive arena – and it is designed to promote and support players in both.  VMSA respects the developmental needs of players first and foremost. VMSA ensures that young players have fun while they learn so they want to continue playing.  It also means VMSA provides challenging opportunities for special talents so they can develop their abilities and pursue excellence.  The LTPD promotes development of young athletes in 5 key areas: Tactical Skills, Physical Capacity, Life Skills, Psychological Skills, and Technical Skills.

VMSA’s operating philosophies are as follows: 

• Recruit and value volunteers who fill key roles in order to deliver programming to our members; 

• Invest in long term player development; 

• Improve athletic performance and develop life skills by following Softball Canada’s Long-term Player Development Model; 

• Always act in the interest of greater good for our members, without purpose of pecuniary gain to any of our members and ensure that any surplus is used solely for the purpose of promotion of VMSA and its objectives; 

• Lead by example, as well as instruction; 

• Ensure the safety of our members; 

• Ensure that the required equipment, supplies and resources are in place for enthusiastic  game play; 

• Empower all our members to be active participants in their teams, and our association as a whole; 

• Communicate with our members in a transparent and engaging format; 

• Work to make our athletes, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers, and fans feel valued, special and appreciated; 

• Honour the accomplishments and achievements of our association and its members; 

• Support and facilitate coach development for all levels; 

• Trust the good intentions of our officials; and  

• Know and respect the rules of our game.