2015 Ed Bitz Scholarship Recipients Announced

Softball Canada is pleased to announce that Amanda Dunnigan (Edmonton, AB) and Matthew Mills (Acton, ON) are each the recipients of a 2015 Ed Bitz Scholarship.

Amanda is entering her first year in the Occupational Health and Safety Program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She is currently a Level II umpire after starting her umpiring career in 2013.

Matthew will be entering his second year of the Business Administration Program with a Major in Accounting at Fanshawe College. Having started umpiring in 2002 at the age of 11, Matt now holds Level IV Theory certification. He worked his first Canadian Championship in 2011 and has also successfully completed the Instructor / Evaluator course.

“We are committed to providing opportunities for the youth in our program, both on and off the field” notes National Director of Umpires Jeff Whipple. “Providing Matt and Amanda with financial support for their education allows us to invest even further in two quality future leaders in our program.”

The Ed Bitz Scholarships, valued at $1000 each and named in honour Softball Canada’s first National Umpire-in-Chief, are awarded annually to registered Softball Canada umpires to support their pursuit of a post-secondary education. Funding for this program is primarily raised through the generous support of umpires from across the country at Blue Convention, which is held every three years. The next Blue Convention will be held in Vancouver, BC in March 2016.

Congratulations to both these fine young scholars and officials!