There was only one winner, but everyone stood to gain more than a trophy. 

With a two-run difference, alumni team Hard 90 prevented last year’s champions Voltron from taking the trophy.

Taking place July. 28, the annual George Brown College (GBC) softball tournament is a long-time tradition started by the Athletics department more than ten years ago.  

Now organized by John Valle, staff of GBC campus shipping and receiving department, the tournament is an annual event that brings staff from various departments together for a day of sports and networking. The event is an opportunity for staff members across GBC to get to know each other outside of work. 

This year, there were a total of seven participating teams. Silver Sluggers; Underdogs; Hard 90; Security; SAGBC Go Getters; Voltron; and Georgettes played against each other simultaneously on two fields at Greenwood Park. 

Cindy Gouveia, president of GBC Foundation threw the first pitch and Nankishore Chatterpaul, president of the local union swung the first bat for the tournament.  

The tournament this year saw an increase in the number of teams as compared to 2022, which was the first time the tournament resumed after COVID-19 pandemic. Another notable difference this year was that an all-women team participated for the first time ever. 

Andrea Jones, interim deputy registrar of new student enrollment and team member of the all-women team said, “We are the Georgettes, and this is the first all-female team. Christine Walker, who’s our captain, it was her idea to make sure we have female representation. So, it is females from across the college, from academic and corporate areas and I think there’s about 20 of us.” 

Jones added that this is her first time playing in the tournament in the 15 years that she has been at GBC.  

“I love it. It’s a great opportunity to reconnect with people you might not see every day and to meet new colleagues.” 

The Student Association (SA) also participated as the SA Go Getters. This was the fifth year that the team has participated in the tournament.    

“I always love getting out, I’m an outgoing person and I love to play soccer, hockey, basketball. Baseball is the one thing I didn’t play, it was my first time using the bat. So for me, it is more like a reunion, like fun activities with different faculties from different places. It boosts the relationship between us and is also beneficial in the long term,” said Peter Corno, director of student experience with the SA board of directors. 

It was the third year participating in the tournament and playing for the SA team for Rosalyn Miller, general manager of the SA. 

“This was an exciting opportunity for us to come together and play with George Brown community. Great experience is not about winning. It’s about us. Connecting teamwork just celebrating cheering each other on what more can we ask for?” said Miller, “And more importantly, I expect us to show the rest of the college that we’re part of one big community Student Association, we’re all in this together for the betterment of students.” 

The tournament was an opportunity for staff members to connect within their department as well as across other departments. Valle was grateful for participants as well as everyone involved in making the event a success. 

“Thank you very much to Joe Stapleton and Ciaran Megahey for umpiring the tournament. I’d like to thank our sponsors Cindy Gouveia, Susan Bowrah, and SA for their help in funding the meals, fields, and equipment. I’d also like to thank all of the volunteers for their efforts. Halley Requena-Silva, Carmel Drumgoole, Krisztina Arany, and your girls. Thank you so much to Bryan and Michelle for assisting me and organizing the tournament. I’m glad the tournament was a success. Also, I hope to see everyone next year,” Valle said. 

Valle organizes various other events and games every month where students can participate. More information on upcoming events can be found on the website www.gbc4me.weebly.com.