Forty-five of the top Canadian womenβs tackle football players are preparing to take on Spain on July 2 in their opening game at the 2013 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Womenβs World Championship in Vantaa, Finland.
The Womenβs National Team concluded a five day training camp on June 28 in preparation for a grueling 2013 schedule.Β After their opening game on July 2, Canada has a single off-day before facing host Finland on July 4. Following two games in three days, Canada could potentially play a third game in a five day period as the placement games all take place on July 6.
βTeam Canada consisting of players from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and New Brunswick arrived at the Pajulhati Sports Centre [in Nastola, Finland] in the late hours of June 23rdΒ after a long day of travel,β explained head coach,Β Jeff Yausie.
βTwo-a-day practices, meetings, team building sessions and cool swims in the lake paved the way for one Team Canada to form from many teams. This was evident in our Red vs. White scrimmage as each success was cheered and congratulated and each mistake was shouldered by the entire team.β
βWith our training camp now behind us, the players, coaches and staff of Team Canada are excited and ready to show the world what we are made of at the 2013 Womenβs World Championship.β
The Womenβs National Team returns 11 veterans from Canadaβs inaugural 2010 squad which captured silver in Sweden including quarterbackΒ Saadia AshrafΒ (Montreal Blitz), receiverΒ Alex BlackΒ (Capital Area Lady Gladiators) and offensive linemanΒ Β Christine OβDonnellΒ (North Winnipeg Nomads Wolf Pack).
βWe have pushed hard through several days of intense practices, meetings, film sessions and team building activities,β said offensive lineman,Β Kimberley Grubb.
βWe leave training camp closer as a team β bonded and ready to represent our country.β
Canada is led by head coachΒ Jeff YausieΒ who serves the same role with the three-time defending Western Womenβs Canadian Football League (WWCFL) champion Saskatoon Valkyries, offensive coordinatorΒ FranΓ§ois Bougie, defensive coordinatorΒ Pierre MignerΒ who serves as head coach of the 2012 Independent Womenβs Football League champion Montreal Blitz and special teams coordinatorΒ Olivier Eddie.
Action from the 2013 Womenβs World Championship can be seen live at,Β http://www.wwc2013.com/wwctv/
For more information please visitΒ www.footballcanada.comΒ or the tournament page atΒ www.wwc2013.com.Β Join the conversation using the hashtag #FbCWNT.
Team Canada Schedule
Date |
Opponent |
Time |
Tuesday July 2, 2013 |
Spain |
8 PM (1 PM ET) |
Thursday July 4, 2013 |
Finland |
8 PM (1 PM ET) |
Saturday July 6, 2013 |
Placement games |
TBD |
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.