14 Wing Greenwood’s “boys of summer” are heading to the Canadian Armed Forces Atlantic region championships July 21 to 24 at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown.
The men are optimistic: they won silver at the 2025 Atlantic regionals, with a 2024 national silver finish in their back pocket. Optimistic enough they’ve convinced long-time coach and athlete Warrant Officer Alain Chalifoux to give it another go.
“They told me they have some young guys out, and it’s huge for me to see the young members that want to come out and compete, put the time in and have fun. I’ve been with the team since 2004 – a lot of time. I’m glad they’re here.”
Chalifoux will co-coach with Sergeant Thomas Bertrand, who had the role in 2025; both will also be on this year’s athlete roster. At their July 14 practice, Chalifoux and Bertrand told team members they’ll operate as a “we.”
“Having the expertise Alain brings from decades as a veteran player and coach, along with all the newer athletes – no decision will solely be me,” Bertrand says. “We’re using all the experience.”
The men have been playing in a Berwick/ Aylesford men’s league this season, with enough players they have a full-military roster for the first time in years. Bertrand says, from the 30-plus who have been turning out for practices, the roster has been set: that roster ran through its regionals starting line-up through two community games in recent days.
“I like the split we have between returning players and newcomers,” Bertrand says. “We need the rotation of youth and skills coming up, and I think it makes us one of the stronger teams we’ve had in recent years. I’m excited to see how we do.”
Schedule
July 21
8 a.m. opening ceremony, Blackwatch Field
9 a.m. Game 1 Women Gagetown vs Greenwood, Diamond 3
9 a.m. Game 1 Men Gagetown vs Greenwood, Blackwatch Field
1:30 p.m. Game 2 Men Halifax vs Shearwater, Blackwatch Field
6:30 p.m. Game 2 Women Halifax vs Gagetown, Blackwatch Field
6:30 p.m. Game 3 Men Gagetown vs Halifax
July 22
8:30 a.m. Game 3 Women Greenwood vs Halifax, Blackwatch Field
8:30 a.m. Game 4 Men Greenwood vs Shearwater
1:30 p.m. Game 5 Men Shearwater vs Gagetown, Blackwatch Field
6:30 p.m. Game 6 Men Greenwood vs Halifax
July 23
8:30 a.m. Women semi-final 2nd vs 3rd, Diamond 3
8:30 a.m. Men play-off 1 1st vs 2nd, Blackwatch Field
1:30 p.m. Men play-off 2 3rd vs 4th, Blackwatch Field
6:30 p.m. Men play-off 3 winner Play-off 2 vs loser play-off 1, Blackwatch Field
July 24
8:30 a.m. Women final, 1st vs winner semi-final, Blackwatch Field
11 a.m. Men final, winner play-off 1 vs winner play-off 3, Blackwatch Field
14 Wing men’s slo-pitch roster
Corporal Stephen Best
Aviator Brody Boldt
Master Corporal Tyler Williams
Chief Warrant Officer Greg Huizinga
Sergeant Cory Lefort
Master Corporal Matthew Martin
Warrant Officer Daniel Maye (Aldershot)
Lieutenant Trevor Parkes
Master Corporal Jordan Pennell
Warrant Officer Pier-Olivier Poulin
Corporal Thomas Ralston
Captain Philippe Therien
Sergeant John Veitch
Sergeant Thomas Bertrand, player/ coach
Warrant Officer Alain Chalifoux, player/ coach
