Schedule re-released for U16 Nationals

July 6, 2009

A newly re-drafted 44-match schedule for the 2009 FHC U16 National Championships was officially released today four weeks before the gold medal matches are to be played.  Both the men’s and women’s tournaments will take place at the two-pitch Iceland Fields venue in Mississauga, Ontario.

A re-draft was necessary upon news that the Alberta men’s team and Saskatchewan women’s team will be competing as exhibition teams.  Their scheduled matches will not count towards tournament standings.

The eight-team women’s tournament and five-team men’s tournament will each begin on Thursday, July 30th at 9:00 AM (all times Eastern Standard) with BC White versus Alberta, and Saskatchewan versus BC Blue respectively.  Classification and playoff matches will begin on the weekend with the gold medal finals scheduled for Monday, August 3rd at 10:00 AM (men) and 12:00 PM (women).

Every team, both exhibition and tournament, is guaranteed a minimum of five matches over the five-day competition.

This year’s tournaments include elite-level teams from Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.  The winning province of each tournament will be awarded the right to send a team to the Pan American Qualifier for the 1st Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

The Iceland Fields have been home to four field hockey tournaments since September 2007 and were also used as a training ground for the 2007 FIFA U20 World Championships.

The age-group National Championships over the previous two years has been for the Under-19 category.  The 2008 U19 events were swept by teams from British Columbia.

For information on the tournament hotel or social activities planned during the event please visit the Field Hockey Canada website at www.fieldhockey.ca.

To view the complete schedule please click here .