I played for the Gryphons softball team from 2021 to 2024, and I loved every moment. I was fortunate enough to experience the team grow into what it is now, while also growing as a player.
There are so many opportunities that will gain you respect in the softball community just from being a part of an organization like this. Through the exposure of the Gryphons, minor softball leagues have reached out to me to host pitching clinics. After training as a Gryphon and volunteering with my teammates at Guelph Gator practices, I felt confident enough in my pitching and leadership skills to take on these opportunities and perform well. Undeniably, there are responsibilities to uphold on this team, but I am forever grateful for them because they gave me skills that I benefit from today. One of my responsibilities was to run our social media. Even something as simple as updating our Instagram page has given me insight on how to recruit players and fans, which is serving me greatly as I co-create/organize a new competitive women's softball league in the Ottawa Valley (Carp Women's Softball League).
Softball/life skills are great, but what I'm even more thankful for is all the friends I made on the team. I found it extremely hard to make friends in university, especially through COVID. Having a group of girls that I saw every day at the beginning of the year made me feel welcomed and supported right off the bat. Just after the first few weeks of the season, I had already made 18 really close friends. It didn’t matter what year we were in; we were all there for each other and made time for each other even outside of softball. I don’t know how people who aren’t on a team like this make it through university life.
This club has made such an impact on me that I still drive the five hours down to Guelph to visit old teammates and watch the games. I've made lifelong friends and memories from this team, and I promise you will too if you put yourself out there and try out.
— Justine Styles
