So far it’s been an extremely busy month for Canada’s National field hockey teams, specifically the women.
The indoor team is coming off participation in the 2015 Indoor World Cup, and the outdoor Women’s National Team has just returned home from a training tour in New Zealand in which they faced the world number four ranked Black Sticks four times.
But just as the senior level ladies take some time to recover before the year gets even busier, Canadian Junior Women’s National Team is about to begin play in a series of matches with the United States’ Under-21 Women’s National Team at Spooky Nook in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The series continues the progress in the cycle leading up to the 2016 Women’s Junior World Cup (November 23-December 4, 2016 in Santiago, Chile).
So far, through scouting and training camps Canada has identified potential athletes to take part in the tournament, many of whom are a part of the recently named Women’s Junior and Senior Development Squads.
The touring roster selected to compete in Lancaster comprises of a mix of players from both teams, and includes three members for the Senior Development Squad – Lauren Logush (Richmond Hill, ON), Priya Randhawa (Surrey, BC), and Nikki Woodcroft (Waterloo, ON) – who will be counted on to bring their senior international experience to the team, which otherwise constitutes of many athletes who be playing their first international matches for Canada.
The series with the United States at Spooky Nook is the first half of a two part series – the return leg will be played in Canada in August – aimed at preparing the women for 2016 Junior World Cup qualification, which will be held late 2015/early 2016.
Throughout 2015, the juniors will continue to train with the direction from the National Program individually, at various training camps, and in competitions such as this one with the United States.
The Junior Women’s National Team arrived in Lancaster earlier this week and will train until Thursday evening when they play the first of four matches.
2015 Women’s U21 CanAm Series Schedule
Game 1 – February 12th, 9:00pm
Game 2 – February 13th, 6:00pm
Game 3 – February 15th, 6:00pm
Game 4 – February 16th, 12:00pm
For a full schedule and results click here.
