Burnaby, B.C. - When the Simon Fraser University Clan and University of British Columbia Thunderbirds take to the field Friday afternoon in Richmond (London Park #1), it will be the launch of the newest athletics rivalry between SFU and UBC, as the Thunderbirds officially began competing in the NAIA this season.

The Clan are the powerhouse in Canadian softball, having won three NAIA National Championships (1999, 2003, 2005), and producing 11 Olympians over four Olympic Games. Upstart UBC is 3-6 during their current inaugural campaign and their coaching staff features two former SFU stars in assistant coaches Becky Hartley and Erin Thomas.

This season the Clan are 4-2 on the year after their opening Hawaiian road trip, and feature a deep roster of seasoned veterans, including senior and former NAIA All-American Jessie Harris (Stouffville, Ont.), former Junior National Team member Carly Moir (Surrey, B.C.) and Canadian Senior National Team member Kelsey Haberl (Burnaby, B.C.).

"I will not be surprised to see a quality opponent in UBC, even in their first campaign," said SFU head coach Mike Renney. "They have some outstanding transfers who got their college start in the U.S., and they have benefited from the plethora of local talent in BC."

Friday's doubleheader is scheduled to being at 2 pm, with the second game scheduled for 4 pm.