Canada opens Women’s Worlds on July 2 against Spain

Forty-five of the top Canadian women’s 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) Women’s World Championship in Vantaa, Finland.

The Women’s National Team concluded a five day training camp on June 28 in preparation for a grueling 2013 schedule. 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.

“Team 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 23^rdafter a long day of travel,” explained head coach, Jeff Yausie.

“Two-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.”

“With 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 Women’s World Championship.”

The Women’s National Team returns 11 veterans from Canada’s inaugural 2010 squad which captured silver in Sweden including quarterback Saadia Ashraf (Montreal Blitz), receiver Alex Black (Capital Area Lady Gladiators) and Christine O’Donnell  (North Winnipeg Nomads Wolf Pack).

“We have pushed hard through several days of intense practices, meetings, film sessions and team building activities,” said offensive lineman, Kimberley Grubb.

“We leave training camp closer as a team – bonded and ready to represent our country.”

Canada is led by head coach Jeff Yausie who serves the same role with the three-time defending Western Women’s Canadian Football League (WWCFL) champion Saskatoon Valkyries, offensive coordinator François Bougie, defensive coordinator Pierre Migner who serves as head coach of the 2012 Independent Women’s Football League champion Montreal Blitz and special teams coordinator Olivier Eddie.

Action from the 2013 Women’s World Championship can be seen live at, http://www.wwc2013.com/wwctv/.

For more information please visit www.footballcanada.com or the tournament page at www.wwc2013.com. Join the conversation using the hashtag #FbCWNT.