The Saskatoon Harmony Centre softball team was formed with a goal of playing more games and facing stronger competition. They achieved those goals early, winning a national title in Regina in 1978.
However, two years later, there had been significant changes within the group. Harmony Centre had overhauled their team with only five members of the ’78 team still on the roster in 1980. Six of their players had joined the Lashburn Bluebirds, creating a strong rival within the province. In 1980, they had to come from behind to win the provincial title after losing the first game of the best-of-three series. It was the first step in a significantly more difficult path to their second national title.
At nationals in Hull, Que., they were relegated to the ‘B’ side of the tournament after losing the ‘A’ semifinal to Agincourt, Ont., in the double-knockout playoffs.
On the final day of the tournament, in 30-degree heat, they beat the defending champion New Westminster Alpha Sports 2-1. They defeated Agincourt 2-1 in 11 innings with Brenda Staniforth and Shan McDonald pitching. Ann Tkachuk came around to score after hitting a lead-off single in the 11th inning. Later that day, they beat Agincourt 2-0 to claim the title. Pat Wegner and Patti Rowley drove in the runs in the final game. Irene Wallace was the winning pitcher.
Tkachuk and Darlene Solie were named tournament all-stars and Solie was named the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs.
Harmony Centre thereby qualified to represent Canada in international competition for a second time. This time, they attended the 1981 World Games in Santa Clara, California. The World Games were a new multi-sport event for sports that were not yet on the Olympic schedule. Canada reached the final before losing 3-0 to the United States in a strong performance.
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 – McDonald, Solie, Staniforth, Tkachuk, Nancy Brentnell, 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.
1980 Saskatoon Harmony Centre Women’s Softball Team
Back Row (left): manager/coach Bob Stayner, Patti Rowley, Diane Lynn, Darlene Solie, Sharon (Kleckner) Klassen, Ann (Tkachuk) Paskaruk, Kim Cudmore, Pat Wegner, Peter Loubardias (statistician), coach Clayton Wall.
Front Row: Marilyn Donald, Nancy Brentnell, Jay Kost, Bonnie McAskill, Shan McDonald, Sherry Loubardias (batgirl), Irene Wallace, Noreen Murphy, Sheryl (Kleckner) Ens, Brenda Staniforth.
Not pictured: Carol Friesen.
