The Saskatoon Harmony Centre softball team started with a meeting in a donut shop and finished with two national championships and a pair of trips representing Canada to their credit.
A trio of young players approached coach Bob Stayner looking to play more games and face stronger competition. Joined by five players from the Saskatoon Baldwinette team who had won two provincial championships, Harmony Centre was born in 1976.
They raised an average of $75,000 each year and played upwards of 80 games a season to fuel their ambitions. Their hard work and travel paid off. Harmony Centre won provincial titles in their first two seasons and in 1978 they claimed their first Canadian senior women’s national softball title.
Playing close to home in Regina, Harmony Centre surprised the field. First, they beat the two-time defending champion New Westminster (B.C.) Doc Blues 2-1 as Irene Wallace pitched two-hitter. They avenged a pool play loss by beating Milverton, Ont. 1-0 to win the title with Brenda Staniforth only allowing three hits. Ardice Walter scored the winning run in both games. Diane Lynn was named to the tournament all-star team.
By winning the national championship, Harmony Centre also qualified to represent Canada at the 1979 Pan American Games. Canada didn’t have a national team program, so the national champions went on to serve as Team Canada the following year.
The experience provided the team with more high-level training, coaching and games to prepare for the competition. At the Pan Am Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Canada finished fourth with a 9-3 record in pool play.
Harmony Centre would win the Provincial Senior A Softball Championship in eight of their nine years in existence.
Six past members of the Harmony Centre team – Staniforth, Nancy Brentnell, Shan McDonald, Darlene Solie, Ann Tkachuk, and Donna Veale – were part of the Canadian national team who won gold at the 1983 Pan Am Games following a 5-4 upset of the Americans.
Installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on September 20, 2025.
1978 Saskatoon Harmony Centre Women’s Softball Team
Back Row (from left): Jamie Douglas (batboy), Helen Maupin, Heather Campbell, Brenda Staniforth, Deb (Donald) MacArthur, Donna Veale, Chris Gervais, Diane Lynn, Kathy Tucker, Pat Wegner, manager/coach Bob Stayner.
Front Row: Maggie Nielson (statistician), Ann (Tkachuk) Paskaruk, Charlene Johnston, Irene Wallace, Denise (Barrie) Evans, Ardice Walter.
Not pictured: Deanna (Ruecker) Hautz.
