By Alexandra Mehl, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter HA-SHILTH-SA

It was roughly a month ago when Hayleigh Mae Watts of Tseshaht found out that she was awarded Softball B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Indigenous Minor Athlete of the Year.

According to Softball BC, Watts led in the U15 B category to many achievements, and dominated all year as an elite pitcher.

B次元官网网址淚t was really exciting because IB次元官网网址檝e never had an award like this before,B次元官网网址� said Hayleigh. B次元官网网址淪o it was really nerve-racking, and overall, it was just really exciting to be known that I was Indigenous Athlete of the Year.B次元官网网址�

The 14-year-old player has been at it for a decade, putting her all into every practice and game.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 exceeded more than IB次元官网网址檝e ever expected her to,B次元官网网址� said her father, Jonny Watts. B次元官网网址淗er growth in the sport has justB次元官网网址� excelled so quick faster than my eyes can even see.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淏ut she does putB次元官网网址� 220 per cent into every practice,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淚t almost never surprises meB次元官网网址� how well sheB次元官网网址檚 done at this game.B次元官网网址�

This year some notable tournaments Hayleigh participated in include playing with Abbotsford in the Western Canadian Championships where they took home fourth, playing in Halifax for the B.C. team at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), where she took home bronze, and in Port AlberniB次元官网网址檚 annual MotherB次元官网网址檚 Day Tournament, where she won gold.

At NAIG, Hayleigh reflects that her biggest challenge was playing other provinces for the first time. She enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends at the tournament.

For Hayleigh, softball is all about the team.

B次元官网网址淚 really enjoy, well, the game overall,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 really love team spirit and working as a team and pursuing good things with my team.B次元官网网址�

Jonny has B次元官网网址渉ardly everB次元官网网址� missed a game or a practice.

B次元官网网址淚t brings me joy that heB次元官网网址檚 there watching me, and it always reminds me to just do my best, and just to cool off if IB次元官网网址檓 having a rough time,B次元官网网址� said Hayleigh.

Hayleigh strives to hone her skills as a pitcher and pursue her dream of playing in division one college softball in America.

B次元官网网址淚 feel like my development has really come a long wayB次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 getting better as time goes on,B次元官网网址� said Hayleigh. B次元官网网址淗aving the coaches that I have really has helped my game and helped my pitching and everything I do in this sport.B次元官网网址�

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