Cobourg area girls have been playing softball since 1926 when a group of girls were gathered together for a Labour Day game against a visiting team from Toronto. The Cobourg girls won and the softball girls' winning tradition was underway. In 1928 a church league was formed with teams from St. Andrew's, Trinity, St. Michael's and St. Peter's. From these, an all-star team was picked to play outside opposition, a team which had considerable success and for the next decade provided the nucleus for Cobourg clubs. As time went on, a strong town league was formed with teams from various organizations and industries. This league also sponsored a junior section with as many as nine teams in two divisions.
By 1945, Cobourg was making a name for itself in Ontario softball circles. "Town Cleaners" under Bus Cane and Alf Minaker reached the Ontario finals, being eliminated by a Toronto team. In the late 40's and 50's, the Cobourg Pavs were supreme, even winning the 1951 Ontario PWSU crown.
In 1963, the Cobourg District Pee Wee Girls Softball League started with 4 teams ~ Paul Currelly's Coverdale Aces, John Copeland's Sinclair Park, Garry Jones' Central and Ross Burgess' Donegan. Mr. Currelly's team lost out in 1971 and 1973 in the Ontario finals. In 1970 the Bantam BB title was won by Martin's Sunocos; the Sinclair Mustangs in 1972 were the first PSWU Squirt Crown; the Juvenile title was won in 1974 and 1975 and Mr. Currelly's team won the Junior Tier II title in 1975 and 1976.
The Angels re-organized in 1977, playing Midget, Juvenile and Junior winning the Juvenile Ontario championship in 1979. In 1984, 1985 and 1987 the Senior Tier II team was crowned with the Ontario Championship and in 1990 the Cobourg Angels won the Senior Tier 1 Ontario Championships. In 2000 the Bantam Tier II Jr. Angels were Provincial Gold medal winners. The 2003 Novice Tier II Angels were also medal winners at the Provincial tournament taking the bronze medal. This same team went on to compete at the Eastern Canadian tournament held in Ste. Eustache, Quebec, and competed against the top teams from Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. They ended in a fourth place finish.
In 2005 the Cobourg Angels Squirt team participated in the Provincial Grand Championship tournament for the first time in their recent history.
Mr. Currelly was active in the league for many years including coaching the 2003 Midget team. Mr Currelly coached 13 Ontario Title Teams over his career (including boy's baseball). He has been recognized for his accomplishments both locally and provincially. Mr. Currelly was the recipient of the 1976 PWSA Service Award and the 1989 PWSA Volunteer of the Year Award. The Town of Cobourg dedicated the ball diamond at Coverdale Park in his name, erected a monument where the Victoria Park diamond home plate sat and renamed the street beside where the Victoria Park diamond used to sit.
The league has enjoyed many successes over the years and has expanded exponentially with the community. They provide the opportunity for girls aged 7 to 18+ to play at either the House League or Rep level and are known in the softball community for providing a top-notch annual tournament in the spring where upwards of 40 teams compete.
Through the generosity of local sponsors and volunteers they are able to provide these amazing opportunities for the young girls of the community. They are extremely grateful to all the people who volunteer their time to be coaches, assistant coaches, announce at games and run the scoreboards at Legion Fields. Thanks to the wonderful parents who support the league working tirelessly at bingo after bingo. Thanks also to the wonderful town staff who provide the fantastic upkeep at Legion Fields and the other facilities throughout Cobourg.
If you would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you. Contact an executive member to express your interest.