Tracey Oye to receive 50 Year Club award of distinction

Tracey Oye has been involved in softball for 50 years, and during that time she has filled just about every role possible — player, coach, volunteer, organizer, leader, mentor, and proud mom and grandma.

Tracey began playing softball in 1974 in Penticton, BC,  starting as a catcher and pitcher before moving into a utility role for teams in surrounding areas. After moving to Langley in 1981, she continued playing in the minor rep programs in Langley and Cloverdale, later advancing into junior ball with a team based out of Cloverdale. When that group aged out, the team became a women’s team competing in the North Surrey Women’s League, where Tracey played until2004.

When her daughter started minor softball, Tracey stepped into coaching — and never lookedback. She coached the 1992 Force team from Squirt through the end of minor ball and continues to  coach many of those same athletes into women’s softball today. Several players from that original team are still playing, which says a lot about the environment Tracey created. Over the years, she coached multiple teams at the same time, including Force ’95, ’98/99, 2000, and 2009, while also coaching women’s and master’s teams.

Today, Tracey remains fully involved in the game. She currently coaches Lightning U20C, the Reign Women’s team, and the Fleetwood Women’s Masters team, while also serving as President of the Fleetwood Fastpitch Association, President of the Fraser Delta Women’s Fastpitch Association, and Co-Chair of the BC Boys Committee.

Tracey has provided long-term leadership within Softball BC, serving 21 years (and counting) as President of Fleetwood Fastpitch, along with roles as Vice President, Minor Coordinator, and Men’s and Women’s Coordinator. She has also served as Vice President of the Fraser Delta Women’s Association and has been heavily involved in tournament and boys’ softball development through regional and provincial committee work.

A strong believer in education and grassroots development, Tracey holds NCCP Level 2 coaching certification and is a Softball BC Learning Facilitator. She also helped write the Learnto Play Manual for Softball Canada, contributing to player development well beyond her own Community.

Her impact reaches far outside the diamond. Tracey has organized charity softball events supporting Cystic Fibrosis, Surrey Firefighters Charities, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Surrey Options Christmas Hampers. She brought softball into schools through Surrey’s Jumpstart program, helped integrate softball into Fleetwood school gym programs, and continues to run Learn to Play programs in community centres. She also served on Surrey’s Outdoor Sports Advisory Committee.

Tracey’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including Softball BC Minor Volunteer of the Year, Softball BC Men’s and Women’s Volunteer of the Year, District 7 Volunteer of the Year, two Softball BC President’s Awards, Surrey Community Leader, and a Women of Distinction nomination. Tracey Oye’s 50 years in softball are defined by consistency, commitment, and care for the people in the game. Her influence can be seen in the players she’s coached, the programs she’s built, and the communities she’s helped grow — making her a very deserving nominee for the 50 Year Club.