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Victoria HarbourCats – Shwing Batter Group welcomes Somers to management team, promotes Cornett in Nanaimo

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1 year ago

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July 18, 2024 

For immediate release

VICTORIA and NANAIMO, B.C. — The company that oversees the two Vancouver Island teams in the West Coast League is excited to announce a key addition and some organizational changes — intended to strengthen the growth of baseball in the Nanaimo and Victoria markets.

Jim Swanson, the Managing Partner of Shwing Batter Investment Group, which owns the Nanaimo NightOwls and Victoria HarbourCats, is pleased to welcome ADRIAN SOMERS as Vice-President, Operations and Business, to support continued efforts and growth of the brands on the island.

At the same time, TINA CORNETT is being promoted to General Manager of the third-season Nanaimo NightOwls, a position Swanson has held since the team’s unveiling in March of 2020, and debut season of 2022. Cornett, a well-known baseball executive on the Island with leadership positions for more than a decade with provincial bodies, has more than proven her value in leading operations at historic Serauxmen Stadium and in the Nanaimo market.

Christian Stewart, a WCL veteran, remains as General Manager of the Victoria HarbourCats, overseeing the flagship operation that continues to set standards for family entertainment in BC’s capital city.

Chris Beveridge has seen his area grow — Creative Director, Online and Social Media for the company, and now also General Manager of the Edwards Family Training Centre.

Experienced media executive John Pollard continues as Marketing Director for the HarbourCats and NightOwls, while Kent Malpass continues as Concessions Director for the NightOwls, working closely with Tina Cornett.

“This is an exciting time, to grow our group and be set up for a busy off-season for both teams and ensure 2025 brings our best seasons yet,” said Swanson, who has led the HarbourCats since 2013. “We have strong people leading operations in both markets, with potential for growth, and adding Adrian provides further leadership and support.

“Tina has done a tremendous job of leading so much of the foundational start of the NightOwls in Nanaimo and is committed to growing that program in the community. I’m not sure where we would be without her efforts getting the NightOwls in the air since before the first pitch in 2022.”

Somers started in a corporate marketing role with the HarbourCats and NightOwls in March, also supporting the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) and behind-the-scenes work with the Victoria Golden Tide (CCBC). The former president of the Victoria Mariners organization in the BC Premier Baseball League is a serial entrepreneur from the cutting-edge medical technology space. Adrian brings a deep customer focus, with the ability to quantify “what’s next” to the organization’s marketing and sponsorship campaigns, choosing to innovate rather than replicate.

“The foundation in both Victoria and Nanaimo is outstanding, but the potential for the future is endless with the core HarbourCats and NightOwls, the indoor facility, the Golden Tide, and our growing digital platforms,” said Somers, known to his friends as an ardent Red Sox and Packers fan. “The product on and off the field has been strong for years, that allows us to focus on growth opportunities for each of the four business units. That is why I am excited to join the management team.”

Somers can be reached at adrian@harbourcats.com or adrian@nanaimonightowls.com

For any media enquiries, contact Jim Swanson at 250-889-5204

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Registration now open for Harvey’s Sports Starz programming

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1 day ago

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December 18, 2025

By

December 18, 2025

VICTORIA, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats and Richardson Sport Inc. (RSI) are pleased to announce the initial round of programming for the “Harvey’s Sports Starz” program.

Catering to younger age groups (5-8 years old), Harvey’s Sports Starz will utilize the HarbourCats indoor training facility – the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) – to offer youth programming in baseball and soccer, as well as a morning program for parents and toddlers.

Registration is now open for initial baseball and parent/toddler programming, both starting the week of January 12th, 2026, with soccer programming to be announced soon.

The following programs will be initially offered** (with more to come):

  • Baseball 5-6yrs Wednesday 3:30-4:30pm (January 14 – February 18)
  • Baseball 7-8yrs Wednesday 4:30-5:30pm (January 14 – February 18)
  • Parent & Tot Monday 9-9:45 (18mth-2yrs) (January 12 – February 9)
  • Parent & Tot Monday 9:45-10:30 (18mth-2yrs) (January 12 – February 9)
  • Parent & Tot Monday 10:30-11:15 (18mth-2yrs) (January 12 – February 9)

**These first rounds of classes are six weeks in length, running from January 7th – February 18th (with the exception of the Parent & Tot classes starting January 12 – February 9).**

REGISTER HERE!  Spots are limited to make sure you snag your spot!

If you have any questions or concerns about anything, please contact info@richardsonsport.ca.

____

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:

  • Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
  • Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
  • Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
  • $12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)

Season ticket memberships, single-game tickets, 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) and 2026 WCL All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.

All ticket types  and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Monday thru Friday, 10am-5pm from now until December 22nd.

CRAZY CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE! From now until December 23rd, select HarbourCats apparel, including replica and game-worn jerseys, is on sale for 50% off!  Load up now in time for Christmas at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/collections/50-off-crazy-christmas-clearance

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats WINTER and MARCH BREAK Indoor Youth Training Sessions Now Available!

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1 week ago

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December 11, 2025

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Sessions begin January 10th. Register NOW!

The Victoria HarbourCats and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) are now taking individual bookings for our Winter 2026 indoor training sessions and March Break Camps for baseball in both the 8-11 and 12-17 year old age groups.

The “Offseason Academy,” presented by The EFTC, is designed to keep athletes sharp, confident, and improving long after the final game of summer. Built for youth players who want to stay ahead of the competition, our Academy focuses not only on technical skill development but also on the physical conditioning that keeps athletes strong and game-ready.

With a lineup of specialized camps in areas such as hitting, analytics, and catching skills, athletes can train with experienced coaches, benefit from professional-level technology like HitTrax, and build the habits that matter most during the offseason.

All sessions take place in the same professional training facility used by the HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide, giving players access to a proven environment for growth and performance.

2026 WINTER Sessions Include:

Baseball, Foundations and Futures, $400, Saturdays, 9:00am- 1:00pm, January 10 – March 14th (10 Weeks). Ages 8-11: Foundations & Futures” is a high-energy baseball camp for players aged 8–11. This camp delivers professional-grade instruction in a dynamic, fun environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and carry your skills into next season. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, High Performance Prep, $300, Saturdays, 1:00-4:00, January 10 – March 14th (10 Weeks). Ages 12-17: High Performance Prep” is designed for players aged 12–17 who are ready to refine their skills and maintain peak form after summer. This camp delivers advanced instruction in a focused, competitive environment. It’s time to Train With Your Claws Out and prepare for the season ahead. REGISTER HERE

Baseball, Specialty Catching Clinic, $250, Saturdays, 4:00-5:30pm, January 10 – March 14th (10 Weeks). Ages 10-17:  With a well structured 10-week program, this clinic will introduce older players to the complex world of catching with a goal of developing strong, technically sound catchers. The clinic will help build confidence, leadership, and game awareness, improve receiving, blocking, transfer speed, and throwing precision and teach advanced catchers to manage pitchers and control the game. REGISTER HERE

2026 MARCH BREAK CAMPS!

2026 March Break Camps (March 16 – 27) are also now available for registration for both the Foundations and Futures (Age 8-11) Group and the High Perofrmance Group (ages 12-17).  Players can register for full 2-week camps, or select one week or the other if they can not attend both weeks.

Foundations and Futures (Ages 8-11), 9AM to 1PM, Monday to Friday – $225 for one week camp, $400 for two week camp.
High Performance (Ages 12-17), 1:15 to 3:15PM, Monday to Friday – $125 for one week camp, $200 for two week camp

There are limited spaces in each camp so don’t delay. Register NOW!

2025 CHRISTMAS CAMPS
It is not too late to register for our 2025 Christmas Camps in all categories including fastball and softball.  Camps start December 20th! . Register NOW!

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NightOwls Resign Standouts Rohne and Florence

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1 week ago

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December 10, 2025

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Head Coach, Cody Andreychuk is proud to announce that reliever, Jakin Rohne and small ball specialist, IF, Ryder Florence will return to the Owls Nest in ’26!

Florence, who has a high baseball IQ and can play short, third, second or outfield, is a savvy, athletic baserunner with a strong arm, and a bat that finds gaps. He’s played 58 games for the NightOwls and will surpass 200 WCL plate appearances in 2026.

Rohne, an Islander, took huge steps last summer under esteemed pitching coach Gorm Heimueller. Rohne, with good breaking stuff, has developed into a starter for his CCBC program. Rohne made 14 appearances with a 2.59 ERA in 2025, taking an aggressive approach against tough WCL batters.



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