CLAUDE DESCHAMPS MEMORIAL AWARD

CRITERIA

The CLAUDE DESCHAMPS MEMORIAL AWARD was established in 1984 in honour of a former Executive Director of Softball Canada, Mr. Claude Deschamps.

This bursary is nationally administered by Softball Canada and is awarded annually to a female and male recipient towards their education. The recipients for this Award receive $1000.00 each and are chosen from the region* hosting the annual Softball Canada Congress (formerly known as the Annual General Meeting).

To qualify for this Award, the applicant must be:

• Registered with the provincial/territorial association
• In a minor category, for a minimum of two (2) years prior to the application
• Be a resident of the province/territory
• Be in attendance at a recognized educational institution at a post-secondary level.

Softball Canada by September 15 of each year must receive a letter of application, a completed application form, along with a letter of endorsement from the provincial/territorial office.

Note: Reference letter(s) may be included whenever possible.

REGIONS

Western: Saskatchewan, Alberta, Yukon Territory and British Columbia
Atlantic: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island
Central: Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Northwest Territories, Nunavut Territory

2024 RECIPIENTS

ARSHLEEN BAJWA (Surrey, BC) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education and has recently completed a Bachelor of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia, where she was also a student-athlete on the UBC softball team. A former U16 Canadian Champion, U18 Canadian Championship bronze medalist, and 2016 BC Summer Games competitor, she now coaches the U17A Girls White Rock Renegades. Arshleen is passionate about giving back to the softball community by using her experiences to help younger athletes achieve their goals.

SYDNIE ZAPESOCKI (Saskatchewan, AB) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Management at the University of Lethbridge, where she is a student-athlete on the Pronghorn Softball Team. She also plays for the U19A Warriors and aims to join Team Alberta for the Canada Summer Games. In addition to her passion for softball, Sydnie plays in a flag football league in Edmonton during the summer. She hopes to coach in the future and plans to become a trainer and rehabilitation therapist for athletes, with a dream of running a fully sponsored softball program for underprivileged children.