Nipissing Lakers Athletics and the Nipissing District Softball Club have officially joined forces to launch a new Junior Lakers partnership, strengthening opportunities for girls' softball development in the North Bay region.
As part of the new affiliation, the Nipissing District Softball Club will now compete under the Jr. Lakers identity, aligning its teams with the Lakers brand and the values of Nipissing University Athletics.
Through this agreement, Nipissing District Softball Club Jr. Lakers teams will adopt Lakers branding, colours, and logos across uniforms and apparel, while continuing to operate their programming independently. The partnership officially takes effect in 2026.
Although Nipissing University does not currently field a varsity softball program, both organizations see the partnership as a forward-looking investment in youth sport, gender equity, and long-term community engagement.
"Partnering with the Nipissing District Softball Club reflects our commitment to growing sport in our community and supporting young athletes, particularly in emerging and expanding women's sports," said Sarah Batley, Director of Athletics at Nipissing University. "The Jr. Lakers program represents aspiration, connection, and a sense of belonging. This partnership allows us to extend those values beyond varsity pathways and into grassroots development."
Founded to meet the growing demand for inclusive, organized softball programming in the region, the Nipissing District Softball Club has quickly become a hub for youth fastpitch development. The Board of Nipissing District Softball Club believes the Jr. Lakers affiliation will inspire the next generation of athletes while strengthening ties between families and the University:
"The Nipissing District Softball Club recognizes that the Jr. Lakers partnership is about more than branding it's about visibility, belief, and opportunity. Aligning with Nipissing University sends a powerful message to our athletes that their sport matters and that their community believes in them. We're proud to become Jr. Lakers and to represent the values of the Lakers brand on and off the field."
The affiliation further supports Nipissing University's broader commitment to student recruitment, community connection, and the advancement of women's sport at all stages of the athlete pathway.
