INTERNATIONAL PRIDE SOFTBALL
Since 2008, WESA has proudly participated in International Pride Softball (formally NAGAAA), standing alongside a powerful network of over 20,000 athletes. But it’s not just about the Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) ; it’s about solidarity. By participating in iPride, we show our support for other Pride communities, standing shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters who are fighting for vibrant, inclusive communities.
Canadian cities that are part of iPride Softball are Vancouver (WESA), Hamilton, and Toronto. WESA is part of a global family and a force for positive change. We’re proud to be part of a larger, global conversation, and we invite you to be a part of this incredible journey.
Twice a year, iPride Softball league delegates come together in the city hosting the Gay Softball World Series to collaborate and learn from one another on common topics and challenges including:
- Player skills ratings
- Marketing
- Sponsorship
- Ethics
- League Governance
WESA NAMED iPRIDE MEMBER CITY / ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR 🏆
30 August 2026
The West End Slo-pitch Association has been named the 2026 iPride Member Association of the Year, recognizing WESA’s contributions to International Pride Softball and the broader LGBT+ softball community.
This is a significant honour for our league, recognizing the dedication, leadership, and impact of our members and the community we have built together.
But, ultimately, this award belongs to the volunteers who make WESA happen season after season, year after year.
It belongs to the coaches who step onto the field ready to teach and encourage. The scorekeepers who keep our games running. The event and tournament volunteers who turn ideas into experiences. The Commissioners who take on the responsibility of leading the league. And the many members who simply see something that needs doing and raise their hands to help.
They are the people who have built WESA.
For nearly five decades, generations of volunteers have given their time, energy, ideas, and heart to creating a place where members can learn, play, compete, volunteer, make friendships, and belong.
Being recognized by our peers across the International Pride Softball community is an extraordinary honour. It is also a recognition of what can happen when a community keeps showing up for one another.
To every WESA volunteer, past and present: this award is yours.
2026 iPride Member City / Association of the Year
WESA. Where We Belong.
🏆 WESA Named an iPride Member City / Association of the Year Finalist! 🏆
The West End Slo-pitch Association is honoured to be recognized as one of just four finalists for the 2026 International Pride Softball Member City / Association of the Year Award.
This recognition reflects the incredible efforts of our volunteers, coaches, sponsors, and every member who helps make WESA the welcoming and vibrant community it is.
From expanding opportunities for new players, to developing our Coach Squad, strengthening WESA Athletics, investing in our community, and helping build Pride Softball Canada, this nomination celebrates the collective work of our entire league.
Congratulations as well to our fellow finalists:
⚾ Cactus Cities Softball League (Phoenix, Arizona)
⚾ Badgerland Pride Softball (Madison, Wisconsin)
⚾ Friendship Softball League (Southern New England)
We are proud to stand alongside these outstanding organizations in celebrating the spirit of Pride softball.
No matter the outcome, this recognition belongs to everyone who volunteers, coaches, plays, sponsors, and supports WESA.
Congratulations, WESA! 💙
Together in Pride.
WESA at the Summer Meetings in Columbus
2026 has been a banner year for our league. We had another successful year with a record 20 teams across three divisions, expanded WESA Athletics with clinics and supports for players and coaches, raised more money for our community with the WESA Pageant, and hosted the inaugural Pride Softball Canada Cup (PSCC). As we have done every year since 2008, WESA is attending the iPride Summer Meetings alongside our 57 partner leagues in Columbus, OH.
Pride Softball Canada at the 2025 Houston Winter Meetings
Vancouver presented a motion to instruct to the Board of iPride Softball, supported by our PSC partners Toronto and Hamilton, as follows:
->Motion to Instruct the Board of iPride to explore the value of creating a Board position filled by an International non-US based member. As iPride is an international organization, the value of structuring the board where there is a guaranteed non-USA voice and representation in all contributions and decisions being made is essential."
Rationale:
As iPride moves forward toward a greater international footprint, we would do well do set ourselves up for success by committing to an International representative on the board of directors. An international, non-USA, based voice will bring an essential perspective to the work, partnerships, decisions, and growth of International Pride Softball.
This is an inclusion issue. By committing to an international representative on the board of directors, iPride will send a clear message to prospective expansion cities in Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, Canada, and Mexico that the organization is committed to a diversity of perspectives and an equitable approach to shaping our future.
NAGAAA was served well by the volunteerism by US-based members over these many years. Let’s look to the future and plan for success growing International Pride Softball.
View the "A Day in the life of a WESA iPride Delegate" on Instagram here.
The above pic features the Canada Caucus delegates and supporters for iPride Softball at the 2024 Summer Meetings in Las Vegas. Toronto/Hamilton/Vancouver
The above pic features the Canadian delegates and representatives at the iPride/NAGAAA Winter Meetings in 2023. WESA's Vancouver delegate and League Commissioner, Seán, posing for a post-discussion pic with the other Canadian delegates from Hamilton and Toronto. The iPride leagues meet twice a year over a weekend to discuss ratings, ethics & governance as well as break-out groups on fincance, sponsorship, marketing, and more.
NAGAAA Hall of Fame
In 2022, at the Dallas GSWS, WESA member Art Gullett was inducted into the NAGAAA Hall of Fame. Art has made numerous contributions to WESA and Gay+ softball in Vancouver. As a multi-year Coach, a Commissioner, a leader, and a co-founder of the WESA Pageant, we are proud to call Art one of our own.
Sponsors
