The University of The Bahamas is bringing women's softball back with the hire of its first full-time softball head coach, Yvana McDonald to do just that.

McDonald is no stranger to the softball or University of The Bahamas community having played for the then College of The Bahamas Caribs women's softball team and in high school and night league softball.

"Being able to see the development from the college level to now the university, makes me excited to see what we get to do in the years to come," McDonald said.

She is looking to hit the ground running knowing that she has to re-start the program from scratch especially building a roster. McDonald will be looking to recruit players from current students enrolled in UB in New Providence and Grand Bahama, and those in high school.
"We're about to roll out a 30-60-90-day plan which include going on high school tours," McDonald said. "Currently, the GSSSA is in full swing with their softball program. We're excited to go out there, start having conversations with the coaches and the parents of students who can be prospective future Mingoes. We are also going to be doing school tours in BAISS although their 2025-2026 season wrapped up because we're hopeful that we do have prospective Mingoes coming from the private schools too."

McDonald was an instructor at the McKnight Softball Instruction in Tennessee and is a certified CANOC Pathways Coach and Nike Women coach. She is also certified in biometrics analysis for athletes. She was the head coach for Queen's College. McDonald will utilize her training and coaching from the United States to help progress the women's softball program to be the best.

"I have great coaching mentors that pride themselves on discipline, integrity," McDonald said. "The goal coming in is that student-athletes have pride to just everything that they do and doing everything well. I'm coming in, hitting the ground running from a mental and fundamental aspect. I am just looking for them being intentional leaders, having integrity and discipline on and off the field."

She is looking forward to developing young ladies into being students and athletes efficiently so they can be equipped to change the world.

A tryout for the team is set for current UB students on Saturday, April 18 from 8-10 a.m. with registration set for 7.30 a.m. at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. There will be a tryout for the Northern campus on May 23 with information coming at a later date.