Diamonds Are Where Girls Make Best Friends

Aug. 09, 2025

South Surrey White Rock Minor Softball Celebrates Another Memorable Diamond Academy Summer Camp

SOUTH SURREY, BC - Sunnyside Park was once again filled with excitement, laughter, and the unmistakable sound of softball in action as the South Surrey White Rock Minor Softball Association (SSWRMSA) hosted its annual Diamond Academy Summer Softball Camp from August 5 to 8.

The camp, open to U9 and U11 players, welcomed both seasoned athletes and those picking up a glove for the first time. It also played an important role in preparing players for their next steps in the sport, helping U9s get ready for U11 next season and U11s prepare to join the U13 division.

“This camp has always been about more than just drills and games,” said Lindsay Bell, Camp Organizer. “We work on batting, fielding, running, pitching, and catching, but just as importantly, we focus on building confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset. If the players leave here loving softball a little more than when they arrived, then we have done our job.”

This year’s camp was smaller in size, with registrations capped at 50 due to renovations at Sunnyside Park limiting us to just two of the six fields. While that meant fewer players than last year, it also created a unique opportunity for more individual attention and stronger connections between campers. “The smaller group made it feel even more like a team,” Bell added. “You could really see the friendships forming and the players lifting each other up.”

The three-day program (extended to August 8 after a rainout on Day 2) was led by a talented team of instructors that included former SSWRMSA and White Rock Renegade alumni along with current and former college and university players. Every day blended skill-building sessions with live scrimmages, and off the field, the camaraderie was just as strong. Delicious lunches from FUEL Catering, who generously opened in August just for the camp, kept players energized, while Docksteader Source For Sports provided sharp-looking camp shirts that the athletes wore with pride.

The final day lived up to its “epic” billing. Campers took the field with energy and determination, putting everything they had learned into play during spirited scrimmages. After one last picnic lunch together, the week ended with the much-loved Diamond Academy Slip ’n Slide, sending campers home soaked, smiling, and already talking about next year.

Reflecting on the week, Thomas Bell, President of SSWRMSA, said, “It is incredible to watch these young athletes grow so much in just a few days. They arrive with a mix of skills and experience, but they all leave with new confidence, new friends, and a stronger love for the game. We are proud of every single one of them.”

While this year’s camp may have been smaller in numbers, it was big in spirit, learning, and laughter. For the players, parents, and coaches who were part of it, the memories made on and off the diamond will last well into next season and beyond.