Canadian women’s team announced for Commonwealth Games
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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. Five of the women’s teams qualified for Delhi will be competing at the World Cup in Argentina early September.
“The team selected is relatively young in terms of experience”, said Louis Mendonca, coach of the Canadian women’s team. “The Commonwealth Games will be a great testing ground for measuring present progress and preparing us for future important events such as the Pan American Games and Olympic Qualifier. We had some good results in a series of matches against India and Chile, but we now need to bring more consistency to our performance to be competitive against teams in the top 10.”
The Canadian women’s team will count on the leadership of Stephanie Nesbitt (Vancouver, BC), who started her international career eight years ago at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, and of Katie Baker (Argyle Shore, PEI), honored with a nomination to the 2009 Pan American Elite Team.
“I am looking forward the Commonwealth Games in Delhi with great enthusiasm”, said Stephanie Nesbitt. “Playing in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Melbourne is a highlight in my hockey career and I know that these Games will be as memorable as the last two. The energy and support in the Athletes’ Village is always amazing and it gives us the opportunity to meet and cheer on fellow Canadian athletes.”
“The upcoming Commonwealth Games will undoubtedly be a positive experience for the team, as well as a real measure of our progress in the past two years”, said Katie Baker. “In pool play, we will be playing England and New Zealand, both coming straight from the World Cup. This is a perfect opportunity to prepare for the 2011 Pan American Games, which is our first chance to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.”
Canadian Women’s Team:
| Abigail Raye | Kelowna, BC |
| Ali Lee | Victoria, BC |
| Amanda Stone | Richmond, BC |
| Anna Kozniuk | North Vancouver, BC |
| Azelia Liu | Scarborough, ON |
| Diana Roemer | Mill Bay, BC |
| Kate Gillis | Kingston, ON |
| Katie Baker | Argyle Shore, PEI |
| Katie Collison | Duncan, BC |
| Kristine Wishart | Hamilton, ON |
| Robyn Pendleton | Victoria, BC |
| Samantha Smith | North Vancouver, BC |
| Stephanie Jameson | Vancouver, BC |
| Stephanie Nesbitt | North Vancouver, BC |
| Thea Culley | Rossland, BC |
| Tyla Flexman | Vancouver, BC |
| Coach: Louis Mendonca | Thornhill, ON |
| Assistant Coach: Paul Bundy | Vancouver, BC |
| Manager: Sheena Scott | Vancouver, BC |
| Video Technician: John DeSouza | Toronto, ON |
The Canadian women’s team will open the competition on Monday October 4 against Malaysia, then will play pool games against England, Wales and New Zealand.
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.
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. Led by its volunteer Board and supported by professional staff, CGC is committed to strengthening sport in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth. For more information, visit www.commonwealthgames.ca.
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Ian Clark
