April 17, 2008 - Today, Canadian women’s field hockey Head Coach Sally Bell announced the team who will compete against Korea, Ireland, Malaysia, Italy and Uruguay for the last berth in the women’s Olympic tournament. Eighteen Canadian field hockey players will get their last chance to book a ticket to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
“We are anticipating this will make a very positive impact on team although we have never played a tournament at home before,” said Bell just prior to Team Canada’s first training session at the University of Victoria. “Our previous home experience was in May of 2007 when we played Chile in a five game test series. Our results were excellent. Athletes will enjoy having family and friends around to see them play for their country.”
“We need consistency of performance and we need to get off to a strong start,” continued Bell. “The first two games versus Italy and Ireland are keys for us and must be won to improve our chances of finishing in the top two to play off for the Olympic Qualifying berth. Korea will be the strongest country participating - currently ranked 9th in world. But they are Canada’s last game and if we are able to get them into the final then a result is possible.”
Canada is ranked 23rd world wide. The other teams competing in the tournament include Ireland (ranked 14th), Italy (19th), Malaysia (25th) and Uruguay (24th). Field hockey is played by more than three million people around the world, on all five continents.
Canada plays Italy Saturday, April 26; Ireland Sunday, April 27; Malaysia Tuesday, April 29; Uruguay Thursday May 1 and Korea Saturday May 3. Gold and bronze medal games are scheduled for Sunday, May 4.
For further information on Tournament Passes, single and two day passes are available through Select Your Tickets (www.selectyourtickets.com).
TEAM CANADA
Shirt # / Family Name, First Name Hometown, Province (Age, Caps)
1 O’Hara, Cailie Toronto, ON (21, 25)
3 Anderson, Megan Duncan, BC (23, 48)
4 Dickson, Carly Victoria, BC (17, 12)
6 Kedgley, Philippa Vancouver, BC (27, 43)
8 Jameson, Stephanie Vancouver, BC (26, 89)
9 Rushton, Katie Victoria, BC (23, 50)
10 DePape, Christine Vancouver, BC (24, 35)
11 Forbes, Sarah (GK) Fredericton, NB (35, 138)
13 Hume, Stephanie North Vancouver, BC (28, 60)
14 Baker, Katie Argyle Shore, PEI (23, 34)
15 Linton, Hilary Vancouver, BC (22, 19)
17 Dickinson, Marian Calgary, AB (20, 17)
18 Buker, Kimberly Kelowna, BC (29, 90)
19 Rushton, Andrea Victoria, BC (28, 121)
20 Gillis, Kathryn Kingston, ON (18, 7)
22 Michaluk, Tiffany West Vancouver, BC (24, 42)
27 Linton, Clare Vancouver, BC (25, 57)
32 Liu, Azelia (GK) Scarborough, ON (29, 46)
Team Coach: Sally Bell
Assistant Coach: Robin D’Abreo
Team Manager: Rachel Peters
Stand-in Manager: Laura Farres
Team Doctor: Jack Taunton
Physiotherapist: Teri-Lynn Fraser
For more information, contact Ian Batey, Communications Director, WorldHockey Olympic Qualifier Organizing Committee at 250-216-1429 or ipb@shaw.ca
