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August 17, 2010
OTTAWA – Field Hockey Canada and Commonwealth Games Canada today announced the 16 athletes who will represent Canada at the XIXth Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India this October.
The field hockey competition is traditionally strong at the Commonwealth Games. Seven of the ten men’s teams that qualified for Delhi also competed at this year’s World Cup.
“We have had significant turnover in our men’s national team since the World Cup in March with five retiring players,” said Hari Kant, Men’s High Performance Director for Field Hockey Canada. “We also have new leadership with Robin D’Abreo being named the Head Coach. The Commonwealth Games field includes many of the top 12 teams in the world and will provide our younger players a perfect opportunity to perform against quality opposition and gain valuable experience towards our qualification for the 2012 Olympic Games.”
The Canadian men’s team, which has climbed into the top ten in the recently released world rankings, will be led by two-time Olympians Ken Pereira (Unionville, ON) and Rob Short (Tsawwassen, BC), both of whom are heading into their forth Commonwealth Games. The two veterans, playing professionally on the same club team in Holland, have also represented Canada in four Pan American Games, and will be heading back to India six months after the World Cup in Delhi.
“I love to compete at the Commonwealth Games,” said Canadian Captain Ken Pereira. “These will be my 4th ones, and to play in India, which is part of my family background, will be special. There are some excellent teams competing in Delhi and it will be a chance for our young team to gain experience of top level competition.”
Men’s Team:
Adam Froese | Abbotsford, BC |
David Carter | Vancouver, BC |
Matthew Guest | Vancouver, BC |
Richard Hildreth | Vancouver, BC |
David Jameson | Vancouver, BC |
Antoni Kindler | Vancouver, BC |
Mark Pearson | Vancouver, BC |
Keegan Pereira | Ajax, ON |
Ken Pereira | Unionville, ON |
Rob Short | Tsawwassen, BC |
Iain Smythe | Vancouver, BC |
Hudson Stewart | Vancouver, BC |
Sukhwinder (Gabbar) Singh | Surrey, BC |
Scott Tupper | Vancouver, BC |
Jesse Watson | North Vancouver, BC |
Philip Wright | Vancouver, BC |
Coach: Robin D’Abreo | Vancouver, BC |
Assistant Coach: TBD | |
Manager: Andrew Schouten | Vancouver, BC |
Video Technician: Indy Sehmbi | Vancouver, BC |
The Canadian men’s team will open the competition on Tuesday, October 5, against South Africa before playing against England, Trinidad & Tobago, and New Zealand to wrap up the pool round.
Interviews with individual athletes and coaches can be arranged by contacting Yan Huckendubler at yhucken@istar.ca .
The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games will be the world’s largest multi-sport competition this year, drawing more than 4,000 athletes from 71 nations and territories. For more information on Team Canada, visit www.commonwealthgames.ca.
About Field Hockey Canada
Field Hockey Canada (FHC) is the Canadian sport federation responsible, with their provincial partners, for the development and growth of field hockey in Canada. For more information, visit www.fieldhockey.ca.
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 Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth, by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool.
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