TRACY BLANCHARD
Tracy has been involved in the softball community for many years in numerous roles ranging from athlete, coach, coach developer, and local board member.
Tracy’s competitive playing career started at the age of 13, playing for a Senior B women’s team. She played competitively for 37 years, winning numerous provincial championships as well as a Western Canadian Championship with the North 40 Phillies out of Saskatoon. Tracy played in 3 World Master championships, winning gold when the event was held in Edmonton.
Tracy, also known as “the Little General”, carried her love of softball into the coaching role and helped develop athletes and other coaches along the way. While she has currently stepped away from actively coaching, she maintains her NCCP – Level III – Competition Development Certified status. Her coaching highlights include, but are not limited to:
- Various Provincial Championship gold medals, a Western Canadian gold medal and silver medal
- 1996 – 2000 – “Fun play” Coordinator and instructor for children ages 5 to 9
- 2007 – Head Coach Zone 7 Women’s Softball – Alberta Summer Games, Red Deer
- 2009 – Head Coach Team Alberta Women’s Softball – Canada Summer Games, Summerside, PEI
- 2018 – Coach – Hokkaido-Alberta Softball Exchange – Hokkaido, Japan
Tracy is well known throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan for her work with coaches and their development, which continues today. Tracy continues to maintain her Master Coach Developer & Evaluator status with the NCCP. She even facilitated a Competition Introduction clinic in Kingston, Jamaica in 2015. In 2020, Tracy’s efforts in coach development were recognized nationally when she received a Community NCCP Coach Developer Award by the Coaching Association of Canada. The award recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond to develop trained and certified NCCP coaches in their communities.
In 2014 and 2015, Tracy was instrumental in guiding the merger of the two Lloydminster softball organizations into one, leading to the formation of the current Lloydminster Liners organization in 2015. She was also involved as a member of the Host Committee for the 2017 Women’s U18 Canadian Championships in Lloydminster.
Softball has been a significant part of Tracy’s life with the many hours and years dedicated to playing, coaching, instructing and mentoring fellow coaches. Her knowledge and expertise in the game is second to none and combined with her devotion, has led to many of the accomplishments mentioned. She has always been willing to share this with others around her, with the goal of improving the game for all. Whether it be in her coaching or training athletes, or working with coaching clinics, Tracy’s warming personality and positive approach leads to developing a special connection with those around her. Tracy has been a strong pillar in the softball community and a leader in building the game of softball that we all love.
Inducted as a Sport Builder in 2024.
