Ottawa, Ont. – Softball Canada is pleased to announce that Keith Mackintosh (Melfort, Sask.) has been named Head Coach of the Junior Women’s National Team program for the next WBSC U18 Women’s Softball World Cup cycle from 2023-2025.
 
“I am honoured to be selected as the Head Coach of Junior Women’s National Team and look forward to the challenge of qualifying for the 2025 WBSC U18 World Cup” stated Keith Mackintosh. “I am excited for the new format that allows us to develop a team over a four-year cycle with the goal of another podium finish in 2025.”
 
This will be Mackintosh’s fifth cycle with the Junior Women’s National Team and third as head coach. He served as an assistant coach in 2013 (5^th) and 2015 (4^th) before becoming head coach for the 2017 (4^th) cycle and most recently leading Canada to its first-ever medal at the Junior Women’s level with a bronze medal at the 2019 U19 World Cup. He is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Competition – Development Certified coach.
 
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Mackintosh was a member of the Canadian Men’s National Team program from 1999 to 2009, winning a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 2003 along with two WBSC Men’s World Cup appearance in 2000 (4^th) and 2009 (Bronze).
 
“I have been so impressed with Coach Tosh in his willingness to learn and his ability to connect with players” said Women’s National Team Head Coach Kaleigh Rafter. “He understands our vision with the National Team and the importance of growing the game at the Junior level. He is passionate about coaching, and I am so excited for our younger athletes to grow through that passion.
 
Canada has established itself as a perennial podium contender at the international level and is currently ranked third in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Rankings.
 
The WBSC has recently changed the World Cup competition format from a two-year to a four-year cycle. The next U18 Women’s World Cup cycle will consist of five continental qualifiers to be held in 2023, followed by the group stage (18 teams divided among three different locations) in 2024 and the World Cup Finals (8 teams) in 2025. An explanation of the full World Cup competition format can be found on the WBSC Website (Section 4 for the U18 Women’s Category).