Dana Gard-Sweeney Named Team Alberta Manager

Dana Gard-Sweeney. Photo submitted

Vermilion’s Dana Gard-Sweeney has been selected to manage Team Alberta’s Women’s C team at the 2027 USSSA Challenge Cup in Viera, Florida.

Slo-Pitch National announced its Canadian Challenge Cup managers on July 1, following a selection process that drew strong interest from applicants across the country.

Sweeney learned she had been chosen several weeks earlier when an email arrived from Slo-Pitch National in June.

“I hadn’t had my morning coffee yet, so I think I reread the email five times before I called my sister to let her know,” she said.

For Sweeney, the opportunity is the result of more than two decades spent around the ball diamond.

She grew up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, watching her father play fastball and began playing mixed slo-pitch at 15 after girls’ softball numbers dropped. She and her sister became the youngest female players to compete in the league’s A division.

Now 21 years into the sport, Sweeney is a player-manager with the Saints competitive Women’s C slo-pitch team and has competed at both provincial and national tournaments.

“Honestly, it means so much,” she said. “I love this sport, and to be able to represent Alberta and Canada on an international stage has truly been a dream of mine.”

Sweeney is also among the youngest managers selected to lead one of the Canadian teams.

In the months ahead, she will choose 18 players, select a coach, organize fundraising, finalize the roster, order jerseys and make the team’s game-time decisions.

She said she will be looking for smart, consistent hitters who can adjust at the plate, put the team first and take pride in representing Canada.

“I want a roster of players who are all in and proud to represent the maple leaf on their chest,” she said.

Sweeney also credits her family, friends and teammates with encouraging her to apply after she spent several weeks debating whether to submit her name. “I wouldn’t be here without them,” she said.

The opportunity is especially meaningful because of the support she has received from Vermilion’s ball community, both as a player and as a coach of young athletes.

“I hope they can look at this opportunity and see that you’re never too old to keep chasing your dreams,” she said.

Team Alberta will compete at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera from January 20 to 24, 2027, with games available by livestream