Kristyn Coley will be a part of Team NL at the 2025 Canada GamesAuthor of the article: St. John’s baseball leader Kristyn Coley answers 20 Questions, Nicholas Mercer Published Jun 18, 2025 • 7 minute readSt. John’s native Kristyn Coley is a leader in female baseball in Newfoundland and Labrador and across the country. As an assistant coach with the province’s female baseball team for the 2025 Canada Games, Coley is a part of an historic group. CONTRIBUTEDWhen the Newfoundland and Labrador female baseball team steps on the field for the 2025 Canada Games, Kristyn Coley will have a front row seat for history. As an assistant coach with the team, the 34-year-old St. John’s native has been a part of the process since the landmark announcement of female baseball’s first-time inclusion in the Games, and even a bit before. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“We’re really excited to be able to put out the best team we possibly can on the field,” said Coley. “It’s been a very long process, but we’re very lucky that we have an absolutely wonderful group of girls that are very dedicated, that want to do well.” Now, she’s set to see it all unfold in St. John’s. “It’ll be pretty exciting when August 18 rolls around because we’ve been looking forward to it for a long time,” said Coley. Kristyn Coley wants to help female baseball grow in all facets across the province. CONTRIBUTEDHELPING TO GROW THE GAME LOCALLYHaving female baseball debut at the Canada Games this year is sure to be a big boon to a side of the sport that has been growing consistently in the last several years in the province. A lot of that can be attributed to the work that various leaders, including Coley, have been doing in various centers to hammer home the importance of growing female baseball. It’s gotten to the point that there is a Women in Baseball NL group that meets regularly to chat about their experiences and help each other out where they can. Article contentIn the past, they’ve done sessions on scorekeeping, tournament hosting, coaching and other items. “It’s very cool to get to the point where you can do that locally because you have so much engagement,” said Coley, who serves as Baseball NL’s metro director. The program is in its fourth year and is proof that the province is moving in the right direction. “It’s really nice to again promote the networking and get to know people because girls’ baseball is really a community, and I think that’s part of what keeps it driving and its popularity in the province,” said Coley. Kristyn Coley (left) has been recognized as Baseball NL’s female coach of the year in the past. She is shown here with Baseball NL coaching chair Greg Williams. CONTRIBUTEDKEEPING AN EYE ON THE COUNTRY Not only does Coley play a pivotal role in helping female baseball grow in the province, but she does so at the national level as well. As chairperson of Baseball Canada’s Women and Girls Committee, a role she’s held since November 2023, Coley has an eye on the female side of the game from several different angles. Article contentNot only does the committee look at grassroots development, but there’s also coach and umpire development, as well as leadership and administration. “All of those things that kind of build up into the programs in terms of actual player development and retention,” said Coley. The group reports to the Baseball Canada board and its CEO on various projects, like the National Girls and Women’s Baseball Week, which promotes the game across the country. It’s a big scope, but Coley is excited to be on board and contributing. “Pretty much anytime we have an idea, it’s been supported, and we’ve had adequate resources to achieve that,” said Coley. “So that’s been great. “The best part has kind of been all the conversations that I’ve gotten to have and all the people I’ve gotten to meet because of it.” As the chairperson for Baseball Canada’s Women and Girls Committee, Kristyn Coley (middle) is at the head of development of female baseball for the country. CONTRIBUTED20 Questions: 1. What is your full name? Kristyn Rebecca Thelma Coley Article content2. Where and when were you born? I was born in St John’s, on September 30, 1991.3. Where do you live today? St John’s.4. What’s your favourite place in the world? I would say my favorite place in the world is it is Paris, OK, lame answer, but it’s true. 5. Who do you follow on social media? Big sports follower on social media. Love following female athletes from different sports, really anything sports-related. I like teacher TikTok accounts and things, too. So, a wide variety, but definitely more the sports realm.6. What would people be surprised to learn about you? I think people will be surprised to learn that my favourite thing to do is, at the end of the day, to sit in a very quiet room and not speak. 7. What is one thing you would like people to know about you? I guess one thing I’d like people to know about me is that I’m a lifelong learner. So, you know, I’m currently going to school, working on my fifth degree, and I love school in a variety of different ways. I think it’s really important that we continue our professional development even as we get older. Article content8. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done? More generally, I guess the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to do is say no to something that I want to do. I struggle with over-commitment. So I think it’s tough to say no to things when you’re really passionate about something, but there’s only so many hours in the day, and you have to respect your own time as well. 9. Can you describe one experience that changed your life? I would say this is a little cheesy, but right now, going through the Canada Games process. I tried to explain to some people last night that it has been one of the coolest experiences of my entire life, to watch some of these girls develop over the last few years and be very invested in their goals, and see them grow, not just as players, but as people. 10. What’s your greatest indulgence? I would say “90 Day Fiancée” 11. What is your favourite movie or book? I’ll go with Bridget Jones’s Diary. Article content12. How do you like to relax? My favourite thing to do is take my dog for a walk or take him out with some of my friends and their dogs. 13. What music do you like to listen to? Hmm, definitely more of a pop 2000s Sabrina Carpenter, nothing very age-appropriate. Read More Baseball NL wants more players and communities to ‘Step Up to the Plate’ The St. John’s Canada Games will make history in 2025 as the first to host a female baseball tournament ‘There’s a good connection’: Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson visits N.L. as the 2025 Canada Games draw closer 14. What is your greatest fear? Greatest fear, generally, is sharks, but I also struggle to not let people down. I get very fearful about not doing what I need to do. Committing to something and not being able to fulfill my commitment. 15. What is your greatest joy? I would say one of my greatest joys recently … I love seeing athletes that we coach when they continue on to coach the next generation. That is something that brings me a lot of joy, because it’s great to see that you had such a positive experience on them that they want to continue that experience for others. So that’s been something that’s been really rewarding as of late.Article content16. What is your most treasured possession? I would say my Barky (stuffed animal).17. What is the best advice you got from a parent or mentor? I think generally the best advice I’ve ever received is always to think about a child through the lens of you don’t know what they’re bringing into practice or to school each day. So taking that step back to say, ‘OK, if someone’s angry when they come in the room, is there a reason why they, you know, something happened to them today?’ So not to judge too quickly, if that makes sense. To take the time to really say, OK, like, what experiences or trauma are they bringing into this environment today and having that trauma-informed lens, I think, is really important. 18. What advice would you give to your 12-year-old self? I would say, start playing baseball. Start baseball right now. Well, that, and just never give up on your passions. I have a very diverse set of things I do every day. I focus on baseball, and I do the teaching. I’m working on my doctorate, and I think a lot of people think it’s bizarre to do so many different things, but focus on your passions and let them take you where they’re going to take you. Don’t let people tell you can’t do it, because you’ll find a way to do it. 19. What is your best quality, and what is your worst quality? I think my best quality is empathy. Very empathetic. I feel like a lot of students feel like they can come and talk to me, and then I’ll listen and understand and that sort of thing. I think my worst quality is my inability to say no. 20. What three people would join you for your dream dinner party? Okay, let me do Charles Darwin, Billie Jean King and Oprah. Article content
‘We’re really excited’: Kristyn Coley, preparing to help lead Team NL at the 2025 Canada Games, answers 20 Questions
