(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Team Canada Gears Up for Doubleheader at World Games in Chengdu
Chengdu, China – August 7, 2025 — After a brief delay due to unforeseen circumstances, Canada’s Men’s National Softball Team is set to make its debut at the 2025 World Games with a doubleheader at the Xindu Better City Softball Complex in Chengdu.
Canada will take the field twice on August 7 (China Standard Time), opening against Australia at 9:00 AM CST (August 6, 9:00 PM EDT), followed by a high-stakes clash with the United States at 3:00 PM CST (3:00 AM EDT).
The team is led by head coach John Stuart from Merritt, British Columbia, alongside assistant coaches Les Howey (Conception Bay South, NL) and Doug Allin (Peachland, B.C.). The roster includes nine athletes who recently competed at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Finals in Prince Albert, along with four additional players from the national athlete pool.
Return of Men’s Softball to World Games
This marks the first time since 1981 that men’s softball is included in the World Games. The tournament runs from August 6 to 10, featuring eight elite national teams divided into two competitive pools:
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Group A: Japan (World No. 1), Venezuela (No. 2), Argentina (No. 3), Czech Republic (No. 9)
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Group B: Australia (No. 4), Canada (No. 6), United States (No. 7), Singapore (No. 11)
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with winners moving on to the gold medal match, and the other two teams competing for bronze.
Team Canada Roster
| First Name | Last Name | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Sean | Cleary | Harbour Main, N.L. |
| Bradley | Ezekiel | Holyrood, N.L. |
| Kyle | Ezekiel | Holyrood, N.L. |
| Jordan | Hudson | Saskatoon, Sask. |
| Blake | Hunter | Nanaimo, B.C. |
| Derek | Hyde | Tavistock, Ont. |
| Justin | Laskowski | Warman, Sask. |
| Max | Major | Delisle, Sask. |
| Mitch | McKay | Tavistock, Ont. |
| Jordan | Pomeroy | Placentia, N.L. |
| Tyler | Randerson | New Hamburg, Ont. |
| Justin | Schofield | Grand Pre, N.S. |
| Ty | Sebastian | Brussels, Ont. |
| Nick | White | Truro, N.S. |
Coaching and Support Staff
| Position | Name | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | John Stuart | Merritt, B.C. |
| Assistant Coach | Doug Allin | Peachland, B.C. |
| Assistant Coach | Les Howey | Conception Bay S., NL |
| Physiotherapist | Jordy Burgess | Ottawa, Ont. |
| CEO | Mike Branchaud | Cornwall, Ont. |
Team Canada Schedule – 2025 World Games
| Date | Opponent | Time (CST / EDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 7 | Australia | 9:00 AM CST / Aug. 6, 9:00 PM EDT |
| United States | 3:00 PM CST / 3:00 AM EDT | |
| Aug. 8 | Singapore | 10:00 AM CST / Aug. 7, 10:00 PM EDT |
| Aug. 9 | Playoffs/Placement | TBD |
| Aug. 10 | Medal Round | TBD |
Stay tuned as Team Canada looks to bring home a medal in this historic return of men’s softball at the World Games 2025 in Chengdu.
