Shane Boland: "This tournament is the pinnacle of softball"

Shane Boland is not only the captain of the Canadian National Team—he’s also one of the world’s premier softball players, with a track record of consistent excellence. A three-time senior World Cup participant, Boland has earned a medal in each edition he’s played. Yet, one achievement still eludes him: lifting the World Championship trophy.

“As we know, this tournament is the pinnacle of softball,” Boland said. “It’s a very tough tournament to win. After being in gold and bronze medal games, winning, coming up short... the goal of coming back is to win. We need to get that mindset of not coming up short. We’re back doing video scouting and everything we can to get to that stage and prove that we can come out on top.”

With Canada falling short of the podium in Prince Albert, change is on the horizon for the veteran Canadian squad. "It's definitely going to be a rebuild. You're right. But it's just having that drive to want to wear the Maple Leaf. It's not going to come easy. You got to work very hard to get to this stage." 

For Boland, this next chapter brings a new perspective. “It’s something new and different for me. But we’ve all been there at one point in time. For the new guys, you want to lean on the veterans. You want to know what it’s like to win and gain that experience. I’m super excited for that part of the rebuild, for sure.”

Throughout his life, Shane has had a close role model to look up to—his older brother Ryan, who played a major role in shaping his career.

"I started playing softball probably as early as three or four years old. My dad and mom were heavily involved in the game. So I always tried to follow in my brother's footsteps and it kind of just led me into the men's game going up through," Shane said after Canada's win over Dominican Republic on Friday. "I was just trying to always compete with the older guys, you know, just try to keep up. So I love the game. I love the intensity. I love winning, but most of all, it's a lot of fun to meet a lot of great people." 

His brother not only introduced Shane into the sport. He also helped him to adapt to the international level. "He kind of paved the way for me there, especially when it came to the international circuit. But I was always trying to keep up. I mean, I've seen all his highlights of fame. So I kind of wanted to go in that sort of direction." 

Just like Ryan once did, Shane now leads the national team as captain—a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. "It's an honour. I mean, it's an honour to wear the maple leaf, let alone, but to be the leader of your country is very special," he said emotionally. "Something I'll keep very dearest to my heart. But it's just having that mindset. We want to steer our ship in the right direction."

What have you learned from your brother as a player and as a captain? "I think I've learned that time is essential. Time is something you can never get back. So when it comes to these sort of events, you've got to live it up to its fullest because once it's over, it's over. But it's always just picking up your teammates. You know, nobody's bigger or better than anybody else. Once you have that mindset of working together as a team and everyone operates at 100 percent, that's the mindset we want to get behind." 

Off the field, Boland serves as a full-time police officer in Newfoundland and Labrador—another demanding role that influences his approach to sport. “Being a police officer teaches you teamwork and a win-win mentality. We can’t afford to lose—if we lose, we don’t go home at the end of the day. So that mindset of working together, the ‘dog mentality,’ the hard work and determination, and the will to never give up—that’s what I bring with me.”

Balancing his career and athletic commitments hasn’t been easy, but Boland credits his support system for making it work. “It’s about knowing when to give and when to take. I’ve got a great boss who lets me go when I need to—especially when I’m representing the country. Without that, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. Same with my family. I’ve been pretty fortunate throughout my career.”