Beaver Sports
Ontario Amateur Softball Association’s Team Ontario will have plenty of Softball Napanee representation on the bench when they compete at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s Nfld.
The OASA announced its coaching staff this week, naming Napanee’s Bryan Brooks, Cory Brooks and Ryan Rowe to the staff. Don Scott of Stratford was also named to the coaching staff.
“We are proud to announce that Bryan Brooks, Don Scott and Cory Brooks will be the coaching staff for our next cycle of the Canada Summer Games,” OASA president Dave Northern said in a press release. “Bryan, Don and Cory bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge that combines both their technical and playing experience in numerous provincial, national and international championships. They all have a long history of developing and bringing out the most in their teams and players. We are confident that they will represent us well and look forward to another successful showing for our Ontario athletes against the best players from the rest of Canada. Ryan Rowe will be the manager who will ably assist the coaches with all the logistical needs over the next two-and-a-half years.”
Bryan Brooks takes over as head coach for this cycle. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with over 25 years as a high calibre player and a coach. Bryan was part of the OASA’s High Performance Coaching program in 2022. The OASA notes he has strong technical skills in multiple offensive, defensive and strategic thinking disciplines that will allow him to take a macro level approach, leveraging his coaching staff’s strengths, while still being able to drill down to a micro level when required. Bryan has demonstrated a philosophy of wanting to optimize the skill development of every individual on the team while maintaining a positive culture. He was also one of the individuals involved in getting the CANpitch program off the ground in Ontario. Bryan was a successful player both as a pitcher and a hitter receiving national championship awards in both capacities, being part of numerous provincial and national championship teams over several years.
“It’s a great honour to be selected for the position of head coach for the 2025 Team Ontario Men’s Softball Program,” said Bryan. “Our staff is looking forward to ensuring the program success continues and carrying the torch from the past coaching staff led by coach Scott Searle and the many influential coaches that have led this program before us. Our staff looks forward to working with the athletes from across Ontario to ensure they are ready for the Canada Games in 2025. Our province has extensive depth in the 2005-2008 age groups and our coaching staff is eager to get started in identifying and developing the players that will represent Ontario in 2025.”
Cory Brooks will take on an assistant coach role with the team, after he was recognized as the Softball Canada Home Run Sports Coach of the Year in 2021. He has a rich resume that includes both playing for as well as coaching provincial and national championship teams. He won batting titles at two Canadian championships while also receiving numerous pitching accolades and awards.
Rowe brings a long resume of management and administrative responsibilities in the tourism industry that will provide him with a sound basis for taking care of the logistical requirements of the team and staff so that the coaching staff can focus on getting the most out of the players from a performance standpoint while maximizing the overall player experience. As a bonus, Rowe also brings many years of playing and coaching experience to the role that will be leveraged as well.
For more information about the OASA check out their website at http://www.oasa.ca.