In her first year with the U13 AAA Eastman Wildcats, standout player Berkeley Penner has grown as a player, made lots of new friends, and will get to travel Abbotsford, British Columbia, all through the game she loves.
Hosting provincials this past weekend was a big deal, and Penner says the team did very well. "I feel like my team and I did quite well," the 12-year-old star says with a humble smile. "We played well against the other teams, and I feel like we got very close to winning gold."
Going back to the beginning of her love of the game, Penner says it started early. "I think I was around the age of eight. I wanted to play baseball, but my mom convinced me to play softball. I think it was a good decision," she says with a chuckle.
Growing up in the game, Penner is thrilled to have made so many good friends through the game. "Having fun with people while I'm playing, it's so special."
Putting her heart into the game, Penner says her skills have really grown over the years and how she had wonderful people beside her at the same time. "It's been so fun to see how my friends and I could develop at similar paces. I've loved playing with them at different levels."
In the first season as a member of the U13 AAA Wildcats, Penner can't recall a time where she hasn't been smiling. "I think that this group of girls was very fun to play with. They were so supportive, and just a lot of fun."
Looking back over the season, there were a number a highlights. "Well, during provincials, we got very close to beating the Interlake Phillies," Penner explains. "That was a step up for our team, because they are the best team in the league. We were very happy to get close to them."
With their second place finish at provincials, Penner and the Wildcats are leaving the flatlands of the prairies and heading out to the mountain ranges out west, a trip she cannot wait for. "I'm really excited," she says with a big smile. "I think it'll be really fun. We've never been, so I'm hoping to see the mountains and stuff, too."
While seeing what the west coast has to offer visually, Penner is also looking forward to meeting that next level of competition eye-to-eye, and becoming better for it. "I think it'll be fun to play against teams that we've never played, and see how we match up against different provinces."
Being just 12-years-old, Penner admits that the schedule can be tough, but she and her teammates don't mind, she believes they're a group that's built for doing something special. "We just try and push through, get as much rest as we can when we're not playing."
Penner says a big boost comes from the community and fan support, especially when they were playing this past weekend. "It was so fun to see all the people come and support that organization. I hope more people can come see us in the future."
Team Manitoba 2 will have a loud cheering section filled with family, and Penner can't thank them enough for their love and support throughout everything. "I really like that they support me through sports. They help me develop, they are always helping me get better, especially with my dad being one of my coaches."
Looking into the future, Penner has an eye for bigger things. "I've thought about it a lot, and I'd really like to try and get a scholarship, or something. I'd love to go to a university or college."
Berkeley Penner and the U13 AAA Eastman Wildcats will set out for Abbotsford, British Columbia in early August, and they'll have an entire community and province cheering them on.