ottawa – Field Hockey Canada and Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) today confirmed the athletes and coaches named to Team Canada for the XXth Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Scotland in July.
The Canadian women’s team has been nearly entirely renewed at the end of the last Olympic cycle, with four players returning from the group that played in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi: Thea Culley (Rossland, BC), team captain Kate Gillis (Kingston, ON), Abigail Raye (Kelowna, BC), and Kristine Wishart (Hamilton, ON).
“Field hockey at the Commonwealth Games is rich in history and incredibly competitive,” says Team Canada Chef de Mission, Chantal Petitclerc. “With many of the top teams in the world in attendance in Glasgow, Canada is sure to face some tough matches, but I am sure they will hold their own against the experienced international teams they will face.”
Also included in the roster are veteran defender Danielle Hennig (Kelowna, BC), a 2013 Pan American Elite Team nominee, and Hannah Haughn (North Vancouver, BC), who at 19 years-old has already amassed 62 caps for Canada.
“The Commonwealth Games are a significant milestone in any athlete’s career,” said Coach Ian Rutledge. “We now have a final group that will do its part to represent our program and country with pride.”
“The strength of the team is its ability to relentlessly pursue our goals in a united fashion,” continued Coach Rutledge. “While we have a significantly youthful team, I have always been impressed by the group’s ability to continually rise to the occasion and showcase their talents against some of the best teams in the world.”
In goal, the tandem of Kaitlyn Williams (White Rock, BC) and Lauren Logush (Richmond Hill, ON) will look to backstop Canada to success in Glasgow.
“The Commonwealth Games is a benchmark event for our Women’s National Program,” said Jeff Sauvé, CEO of Field Hockey Canada. “The Games present an opportunity to battle some of the best Nations in the world. Even more than that, it is an opportunity for a fearless group of our best athletes to validate the commitment they make to a daily training environment.”
A team of 267 athletes and close to 100 coaches and support staff will be in Glasgow, Canada’s largest Team ever fielded for a non-home Games. The entire Canadian Team will be officially announced by Commonwealth Games Canada in July 2014.
“Congratulations to the players who will make up the Canadian women’s field hockey team at the Commonwealth Games,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “I look forward to seeing this team excel on the pitch in Glasgow, as our teams have done so often before.”
The Women’s Team nominated by Field Hockey Canada to Team Canada for the 2014 Commonwealth Games includes:
Name Position/Caps Hometown
Jessica Barnett Defender/29 North Vancouver, BC
Thea Culley Forward/106 Rossland, BC
Kate Gillis Forward/103 Kingston, ON
Hannah Haughn Midfield/62 North Vancouver, BC
Danielle Hennig Defender/67 Kelowna, BC
Karli Johansen Defender/16 North Vancouver, BC
Lauren Logush Goalkeeper/15 Richmond Hill, ON
Sara McManus Defender/56 Tsawwassen, BC
Abigail Raye Defender/104 Kelowna, BC
Ponam Sandhu Forward/29 Vancouver, BC
Maddie Secco Midfield/31 Victoria, BC
Brienne Stairs Forward/48 Kitchener, ON
Holly Stewart Forward/10 North Vancouver, BC
Kaelan Watson Defender/19 Richmond, BC
Kaitlyn Williams Goalkeeper/37 White Rock, BC
Kristine Wishart Midfield/67 Hamilton, ON
Head Coach: Ian Rutledge
Assistant Coach: Robin D’Abreo
Manager Krista Thompson
Physiotherapist: Elliot Usher
Video Analyst: Stefanie Sloboda
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be held from July 23rd to August 3rd, 2014, and will be the largest ever multi-sport event held on Scottish soil.
-30-
ABOUT FIELD HOCKEY CANADA
Working in collaboration with a variety of partners, Field Hockey Canada is the national sport governing body responsible for the development, growth and promotion of field hockey in Canada. Through the Women’s and Men’s National programs, Field Hockey Canada selects, prepares and promotes Canada’s teams for international competitions including Continental Championships, World Championships, and major multi-sport games such as the Olympic Games, Pan American Games and Commonwealth Games. Approximately 15,000 Canadians participate in field hockey, which is currently played in more than 600 schools and 400 clubs across the country. Visit www.fieldhockey.ca for information.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. Visit www.commonwealthgames.ca for information.
For interview requests:
Shaheed Devji
Creative and Communications Manager
Field Hockey Canada
778 847 7424
sdevji@fieldhockey.ca
For additional information on the Glasgow 2014 Canadian Team or CGC:
Sylvie Bigras
Communications Chief
Team Canada – Glasgow 2014
613 298 1625
@cgc_jcc #Glasgow2014
