Tour Reflections – U17 and U18 Women’s European Tours

The U17 and U18 Youth National Teams return from successful European Tours

Building on the success of the last few years, Field Hockey Canada again sent youth national abroad for international exposure and competitive matches. This year, the U17 Canadian team played at the HDM Easter Tournament in The Hague, Netherlands. The U18 Team went to the UK and toured Scotland and Wales, playing test-matches against their youth and junior national programs.

U17 Team Finishes 6th at the HDM Easter Festival

The U17 Canadian Youth Women’s Team recently concluded an exciting 10-day tour in the Netherlands, brimming with growth opportunities and competitive spirit. First in Naarden, the team practiced together for the first time and worked on skills through training sessions and matches against local teams, showcasing remarkable progress in a short period. Amidst the training intensity, a day in Amsterdam provided a cultural interlude, enriching the experience, and focusing on team-bonding.

The centre-piece of the tour unfolded at the HDM Easter Festival in The Hague, where international matches with teams from Germany, Gibraltar, and the Netherlands highlighted the team’s ability and international competitiveness. The team finished a commendable 6th place finish among 15 teams at the tournament. Beyond the scores, this tour symbolized a leap toward excellence for each player, fostering dreams of Olympic representation in 2032. As these athletes return home, their journey serves as an inspiring narrative for aspiring athletes nationwide. Watch out for the continued successes of this exceptional group of players.

HDM EASTER TOURNAMENT RESULTS

U18 Battles Scotland Wales in two-week tour

Field Hockey Canada’s Women’s U18 team is fresh back from a successful tour of Scotland and Wales, marking a significant milestone in their growth as elite athletes. Despite the challenge of facing Scotland’s Aspiring squad on their home ground with minimal training time, the team displayed remarkable resilience and cohesion, highlighting their professionalism and readiness. With back-to-back games against Scotland, the team showcased their competitive spirit and adaptability, impressing both staff and spectators alike.

Transitioning to Wales, the tour continued with three intense matches, each decided by goals in the final quarter, emphasizing the tight competition and invaluable learning opportunities for the athletes. The tour provided insights into the demands of international hockey and facilitated substantial growth among the players, reflecting positively on Canada’s development efforts.

TOUR RESULTS