Canada opens Pan American Games campaign against Cuba on October 26
In the heart of Santiago, Chile, from October 25 to November 5, the Canadian Wolf Pack is set to make a splash in the Pan American Games field hockey tournament. With a track record that includes a silver medal in 2019 and a bronze in 2015, Canada’s hockey stars are primed for another podium performance.
Leading the charge are some of Canada’s brightest stars, including team captain, Natalie Sourisseau, Victoria’s Anna Mollenhauer, as well as the defensive back end of Karli Johansen, and Sara McManus. Both Sourisseau and McManus will be playing in their team-record fourth Pan American Games. Between the goalposts stands the ever-reliable Rowan Harris. Over the past two years, Harris has built quite the resume, playing in the Indoor World Cup, FIH Hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. Harris’s presence will be pivotal to Canada’s defense throughout the tournament.
Adding a layer of intrigue to this year’s campaign is the gold medal coaching duo of Danny Kerry and Kate Richardson-Walsh. Their joint expertise promises to be a game-changer for the Canadian squad as they tackle their first major international tournament behind the Canadian bench. Kerry said the Wolf Pack is an incredibly hard working group and are motivated to perform well on the world stage.
“For this team to be successful on the field it needs to stick to our principles of play, our playing identity, it is the bedrock of understanding and performance,” he said. “Ultimately that is where success lays, focussing and doing our best at things that are in our control.”
Canada kicks off the tournament with a clash against Cuba on October 26. The first match is always a crucial one, setting the tone for the games to come. The Women’s National Team will be looking to gain momentum early and maintain it throughout the competition. Looking forward in the event, Canada will have to work their way through some combination of Chile, USA and Argentina, if they want to come away with a top-of-podium finish.
The winner of the Pan American Games field hockey tournament secures an Olympic berth. Each game they play represents a step closer to Olympic qualification and a chance to etch their names in the annals of Canadian hockey history.
As the tournament draws near, anticipation builds, and the Canadian Women’s National Team is set to light up the field in Santiago, hoping to claim the ultimate prize and a ticket to the world’s greatest sporting stage.
FOLLOW ALONG:
CBC is the official Canadian broadcaster of the 2023 Pan American Games. The Broadcast schedule is not released yet. Check Field Hockey Canada’s social media channels and website for information leading up to the event.
Pan American Games Hockey Competition: https://www.fih.hockey/events/pan-american-games-2023-chile
Pan American Games website: https://www.santiago2023.org/en
JOIN OUR JOURNEY
Field Hockey Canada encourages local, provincial and national sponsors to get involved with our ‘Join our Journey’ sponsorship campaign. The initiative is inclusive of the entire Canadian field hockey community and gives organizations and companies the opportunity to join Field Hockey Canada on the journey to international success at all levels.
With your support as part of our team, we can achieve even more and in doing so amplify your voice and business too through our local, national and international communities.
JOIN OUR JOURNEY AND GET INVOLVED AS A SPONSOR
TEAM CANADA FAN-WEAR
Field Hockey Canada is proud to be partnered with the Indian Maharadja as our official apparel provider. Support your favourite national team here by getting all your fan-wear!
