Edwards Family Training Centre
1821 Cook St, Victoria, BC
About Us
At the heart of baseball development in Victoria, BC, stands the Edwards Family Training Centre. Proudly operated by the Victoria HarbourCats in collaboration with our partners from the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) team, the Victoria Golden Tide. Our shared vision is clear: to be the epicenter of all things baseball in Victoria, BC, and to provide a hub for excellence in baseball instruction and player development.
Our Mission
At the Edwards Family Training Centre, our mission is simple yet profound—to develop excellence in baseball players in Greater Victoria by providing high quality youth baseball training opportunities, fostering skills development and player growth, and nurturing a passion for the game.
What Sets Us Apart
- Expert Coaching: Our team of experienced coaches is dedicated to helping players of all skill levels reach their full potential. We believe in the power of professional coaching to unlock each player's unique talents.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: The Edwards Family Training Centre boasts cutting-edge equipment, including Hittrax © and Rapsodo. Our indoor training spaces ensure that athletes have access to the best tools for their development throughout the year.
- Community Collaboration: We actively collaborate with all local baseball associations to ensure that our programs align with the needs and aspirations of the community. Together, we aim to elevate the standard of baseball in Victoria.
- Connection to the Victoria HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide: As part of the Victoria HarbourCats organization, we offer young athletes the opportunity to work with and learn from university level players in the West Coast League (Victoria HarbourCats) and in the Canadian College Baseball Conference (Victoria Golden Tide) when they are in town for their respective baseball seasons.
Programs and Services
The Edwards Family Training Centre is used for youth baseball development, Golden Tide training, HarbourCats training, and the Centre can be rented by others for team, group, or individual use. We are committed to nurturing the baseball talent of tomorrow. Our Youth Development Programs offer comprehensive training for players aged 8 - 18 through the indoor training centre and through both indoor and outdoor camps.
Age Group Focus
- 11 and Under: (8, 9, 10 & 11 year olds) These players are at a crucial stage of skill development. Our programs for this age range focus on honing fundamental skills while introducing more advanced techniques. We emphasize the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork.
- 15 and Under: (12, 13, 14 & 15 year olds) As players progress toward and into their teenage years, our programs challenge them to refine their skills and deepen their understanding of the game. We offer a more advanced curriculum that includes position-specific training.
- 18 and Under: (16, 17, & 18 year olds) For aspiring high school and college-level players, our programs provide intensive training designed to elevate their game. We work on advanced techniques, mental preparation, and game strategy to prepare players for higher levels of competition. We are also committed to helping those who want to progress to the next level, through education and accessing opportunities in Canadian College Baseball or US College Baseball programs.
Regular Programs
Our aim is to provide year-around Youth Baseball Development opportunities.
Development Training Sessions: These sessions are provided in a group setting, with a typical size of 12-15 participants and two coaches. These sessions may be scheduled for 1, 2 or 3 days per week (e.g. Mon/Wed/Fri or Tues/Thurs or Sat) and are typically 1 hour in length. Some longer sessions (e.g., 2 hours) may be considered. Our standard training sessions are offered twice per year:
- Fall-Winter: Starting in early September and ending in mid December (approximately 3 months)
- Winter-Spring: Starting in early January and ending in mid March (approximately 2 months)
Additional development training sessions may be scheduled at other times of the year subject to coach availability.
Baseball Camps: Camps are offered regularly during March Break and Summer break. Other camps may be offered through the year (e.g., December Break, PD Day), subject to coach availability and holiday timeframe. Typically, camps will have a participant to coach ratio of 6:1 for younger participants and 8:1 for older participants. Both Victoria Golden Tide and Victoria HarbourCats players and coaches assist in our camps subject to their game schedules/availability.
March Break Camps: Typically, 1-2 weeks of camps are offered during the March Break timeframe. They are set up by age group and generally are 3 hours in length (half-day).
Summer Break Camps: Indoor and outdoor camps are provided during the summer. Our usual schedule includes camps from early July through early or mid-August. Camps are 4 or 5 days in length and generally 3 hours in duration (half-day).
December Break Camps: If held, December camps are generally 3-5 days in length during the mid-December to early January timeframe when schools are closed.
Other Services
Edwards Family Training Centre Rentals
Spaces are maintained for external group use throughout the year. Local teams can rent time and bring their players and coaches for indoor training, including use of our equipment. Local trainers can rent space and hold their own sessions, baseball related or otherwise. Flexibility exists to rent the whole centre or different parts of the Centre based on needs. Individuals (18+ years of age) can also rent time to train on their own.
Workshops & Special Events
On occasion, the Edwards Family Training Centre hosts special events and workshops to provide unique and interesting opportunities related to baseball development, coaching, baseball strategy, VIP talks, etc. These are largely geared to baseball although other opportunities may offered as a community service.
One on One Training
Edwards Family Training Centre staff has connections with a roster of coaches and trainers who provide one-on-one training.
For details and pricing on any of the above or to set up a custom program for your athlete, please contact Facility Coordinator Chris Beveridge at chrisb@harbourcats.com