Postponed Junior World Cup to take place in South Africa in April
Field Hockey Canada is thrilled to announce the Junior Women’s National Team roster that will play at the Junior World Cup in South Africa. The competition will take place April 1 to 12, 2022 in Potchefstroom.
Canada earned their berth for the Junior World Cup by placing first at the 2021 Junior Pan American Championships in Santiago, Chile, in August. The gold medal is the first in program history and first Canadian women’s Pan American gold registered at any outdoor level. Canada sits in a pool with Netherlands, USA, and Zimbabwe.
The Junior World Cup was originally scheduled for December 2021 but was cancelled due to the global emergency response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Team Canada was already in South Africa, at a training facility, preparing for the tournament, when the order came down. As a result, the team remained in Potchefstroom, South Africa for two weeks as Field Hockey Canada and its government and travel partners arranged safe passage back to Canada.
High Performance director Adam Janssen was quick to thank everyone who supported them during this uniquely challenging time. He said the community rallied in support, especially the athletes’ parents, and FHC’s partners.
“The quick thinking and round-the-clock work of Sport Canada, our travel partners, Field Hockey Canada staff, players, families and U21 National Team staff contributed to a safe return home in December was fantastic, and another thanks must be given to all involved,” Janssen said.
The team was previously helmed by head coach Patrick Tshutshani with Jenn Beagan as his assistant coach. Tshutshani has since departed Field Hockey Canada and signed a deal with Hockey India. Beagan has stepped up in his absence as the new lead of the program. She said, more than anything, she is happy this group will finally be able to step onto the field at the World Cup.
“The route for this team to get to this point has been filled with huge successes and devastating lows,” she said. “We are so excited to have the opportunity to return to South Africa and compete against the top hockey nations.”
FIH announced roster leniency in its most recent communication; “In order to support all teams, FIH has decided to extend the number of players to 20 per team. However, only 18 players will be allowed on the start list of any match.” Team Canada’s roster is composed of 13 returners from the trip to South Africa in December. The team returns nine from their Junior Pan American gold medal-winning team. Beagan said the team is a combination of experienced junior players with additions from the Next Gen pipeline. The team composition is a testament to the growth at the junior level and the focus on the next generation.
“This team is a great mix of experienced junior athletes and rising stars from our Next Gen program,” Beagan said. It’s an exciting time for Canadian Women’s Field Hockey with both junior and senior women’s teams qualifying for world cups. I have no doubt these young athletes are ready to rise to this challenge.”
The competition starts on April 1, 2022. Stay tuned for schedule and live streaming information.
ROSTER
| PLAYER NAME | POSITION | HOMETOWN | UNIVERSITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birkley Anderson | DEF/MID | Duncan | University of British Columbia |
| Jenna Berger | MID | Waterloo | UMass Lowell |
| Rebecca Carvalho | DEF | Brampton | University of Toronto |
| Izzy Fraser | MID | Vancouver | University of British Columbia |
| Arden Goddard-Despot | DEF | North Vanancouver | University of Guelph |
| Nora Goddard-Despot | MID | North Vancouver | Providence College |
| Jenna Goodman | DEF | Duncan | University of British Columbia |
| Tayler Guy | GK | Victoria | University of Calgary |
| Danielle Husar | STR/MID | Mississauga | University of Virginia |
| McKinley Kennedy | MID | North Vancouver | University of Toronto |
| Allison Kuzyk | STR | Vancouver | University of Pennsylvania |
| Grace Leahy | STR | Waterloo | A&C Academy |
| Harnoor Malhi | DEF | Toronto | University of Toronto |
| Samantha McCrory | STR | Kitchener | University of Toronto |
| Lonica McKinney | STR | Kelowna | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Julia Ross | STR | Vancouver | University of Maine |
| Stefanie Sajko | DEF/ MID | Victoria | University of Victoria |
| Melanie Scholz | DEF | Calgary | University of Calgary |
| Ishaval Sekhon | GK | Surrey | N/A |
| Mikayla Stelling | MID | Vancouver | University of British Columbia |
STAFF
Head Coach – Jenn Beagan (Vancouver)
Assistant Coach – Cassius Mendonca (Toronto)
Team Manager Nancy Mollenhauer (Victoria)
Athletic Therapist – Justine Branco (Toronto)
Sports Scientist – Kate Perry (Vancouver)
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
Thank you to our apparel partner, Indian Maharadja, our stick sponsor, Gryphon Hockey, and JWNT Lead Partner Intracorp Homes, for supporting all our national teams.
For more information on how you can sponsor or partner with us, please visit this link.
To support our teams and donate to their journeys, click here.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
Field Hockey Canada will be launching a new TEAM fundraiser BACK THE PUPS, to support our NextGen women in their journey to the Junior World Cup. Join us in helping these dedicated athletes achieve their dreams by donating today. DONATE NOW.
