Gymnastics Canada – OTTAWA, ON (July 18, 2017) – Gymnastics Canada is pleased to announce the athletes, coaches, and support staff who have been named to the 2017 Summer Universiade (FISU) Games team that will take place in Taipei City, TPE from the 19^th to 30^th of August 2017.
 
“The FISU Games are an important part of the development of our young senior athletes,” said Tony Smith, national team director for men’s artistic gymnastics at Gymnastics Canada. “The group that has been assembled for this event are the future of Canadian men’s gymnastics, and I expect big things from them in the very near future.”
 
Said Dave Brubaker, national team director for women’s artistic gymnastics: “Team Canada continues to increase the depth of our talent pool for the next cycle leading into the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The FISU Games will allow our athletes to experience a multi-sport Games that will keep them motivated to continue in this cycle. These university Games will also provide our athletes and coaches with a great opportunity to prepare for the upcoming World Championships in Montreal this October.”

“Rhythmic gymnastics is always a thrilling competition at the FISU Games thanks to the presence of major world champions, however this year, the World Championships directly follow the Games so it will be interesting to see the final list of competitors,” said Teresa Orr, national team director for rhythmic gymnastics at Gymnastics Canada. “Kaedyn (Lashley) and Cindy (Huh) are in their third year on our senior team and are excited at the opportunity to experience their first multi-sport games. Cindy’s older sister Lisa competed at the last FISU Games so she will be able to share some of her learning experiences to help with preparations for this year.”

The Summer Universiade is held every two years and incorporates educational and cultural aspects into 12 days of sports competitions, allowing university student-athletes from all over the world to celebrate with the host city in a true spirit of friendship and sportsmanship. The artistic gymnastics competition will take place from August 19 – 23, and rhythmic from August 27 – 29.
 
For more information on the Games, please visit: http://en.usports.ca/universiade/summer/2017/index

THE TEAM:
 
MEN’S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS
 
René Cournoyer, Repentigny, QC – CÉGEP régional de Lanaudière
Joel Gagnon, Saskatoon, SK – University of Minnesota
Justin Karstadt, Mississauga, ON – University of Minnesota
Aaron Mah, Vancouver, BC – University of California (Berkley)
Sam Zakutney, Ottawa, ON – Penn State
 
Coaches:             
 
Tony Smith, Calgary, AB – National Team Director, GCG
 
Support team
 
Gord McMorland, Calgary, AB   
 
WOMEN’S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS

Ellie Black, Halifax, NS – Dalhousie University
Jessica Dowling, Dundas, ON – University of Guelph
Denelle Pedrick, Wilcox, SK – Central Michigan University
Brittany Rogers, Calgary, AB – University of Georgia
Briannah Tsang, Burnaby, BC – Penn State

Coaches:
 
David Kikuchi, Halifax, NS
Dorina Stan, Vancouver, BC
 
Support team

Martha Purdy, Halifax, NS

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS

Cindy Huh, Vancouver BC – University of Toronto
Kaedyn Lashley, Winnipeg MB – University of Winnipeg

Coach/Team Lead

Shari Hebert, Winnipeg MB

ABOUT GYMNASTICS CANADA
First established in 1969, Gymnastics Canada is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in Canada. Gymnastics Canada works closely with the twelve Provincial Federations and the 700 local clubs to provide a broad range of programs and services to meet the needs of all participants. From athlete development, to coaching and judging education, Gymnastics Canada sets the operating standards and practices for the sport in Canada. Our mandate is to promote and provide positive and diverse gymnastics experience through the delivery of quality and safe gymnastics programming. Visit www.gymcan.org for more information, or follow us @CDNgymnastics.

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For more information, contact:
Julie Forget
Director, Communications and Marketing
Gymnastics Canada
Office: 613.748.5637 x 233
Cell: 819.210.2064
Email: jforget@gymcan.org