A second chance to play the sport she loves has come up for Shayla Tyerman.
The Rutland Secondary graduate was injured during her first year playing for the University of Jamestown softball team in the U.S.
A concussion sidelined her for a better part of two years before she was able to return to competitive softball, this time for her hometown university.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the chance of a lifetime really,鈥� said Tyerman.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I would have the opportunity to play university softball again, and I can鈥檛 wait for the season to start.鈥�
Part of a new competitive sports model at the university this year, UBC Okanagan is bringing in a brand new team to play in the Western Collegiate Softball Association.
The Heat鈥檚 season kicks in less than three weeks and Tyerman is healthy, excited and putting the past behind her.
鈥淏ad circumstances turned around and has worked into something good. When you can鈥檛 do something you love for so long, you realize how much you miss it,鈥� said Tyerman.
鈥淣ot everyone gets this chance, and I鈥檓 excited to see what I and the team can do this year.鈥�
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Both her parents played softball and they get Tyerman involved at a young age.
At age 12, she was playing with the 麻豆精选 Heat rep team, and now just over 10 years later she鈥檚 finishing her university education in her hometown while playing the sport she remains dedicated to.
She鈥檚 ready for the proverbial 鈥榓t-bat鈥� in this second chance at her dreams, this time surrounded by family.
鈥淲hen I was playing in the U.S., my family didn鈥檛 get to see as much,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow, its so special and so different that my family gets to watch me play.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 almost been a win-win.鈥�
The season has yet to start and the mixture of excitement and expertise is showing through for the young softball player.
Comfortable at playing shortstop, Tyerman said she鈥檒l play wherever her coaches need her to play, a reflection of her desire to offer leadership to her teammates and relationship she has with her new coaches.
Darren Bennett, who鈥檚 helped organize this new Heat team, coached Tyerman while she was with the 麻豆精选 minor team. Bennett said that when they decided upon the team鈥檚 creation, Tyerman was the first player they thought of to join the roster.
鈥淲e anticipate her to be one of the cornerstones of our infield,鈥� said Bennett.
鈥淪hayla is a good ball player, but an even better person and I couldn鈥檛 be happier that she now has a second chance to be a student athlete.鈥�
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Tyerman said there isn鈥檛 a way that softball ends for her. Whether it鈥檚 coaching or involvement with community teams, softball is something she鈥檒l always be connected with.
Her mental strength and leadership are what鈥檚 important to her this season, but also enjoying the game that she鈥檚 been away from for so long.
鈥淚t goes by quick, you have to cherish the moments with teammates, because it鈥檚 a really great experience. Never going to take anything for granted either, just push myself and do the best that I can,鈥� she said.
The Heat kick off the season with a four-games-in-two-days test against three Alberta teams starting Aug. 30.
In their first game of their inaugural season, UBCO will face the Calgary Dinos, last year鈥檚 conference champions.
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