Birmingham, UK (2022 – 08 – 08) – Hollie Naughton (Oakville, ON), the first Canadian woman to ever medal (silver) in the sport of squash at the Commonwealth Games, has been named the Team Canada 2022 Closing Ceremonies Flagbearer.
Naughton grew up around a squash club because her mom, dad and aunt all play and began playing squash herself at age seven. Naughton was part of the Canadian squad that won team silver at the 2015 Pan American Games. She won silver at the 2018 and 2019 Pan American Championships. She was champion of the Racquet Club Pro-Series 2020, Nicola Wealth Open 2016 and represented Team Canada at Women’s World Team Championships: 2014, 2016 and 2018. Naughton is a three-time Canadian Women’s Open Champion: 2016, 2017, 2022 and champion of the Pan American Junior Championship Individual & Team 2013.
Upon being updated with the great news from Team Canada 2022, co-Chefs de Mission, Claire Carver-Dias and Sam Effah, Naughton described the surprise and honour.
“I keep using this word honoured but I’m not quite sure what else covers it. I have felt extremely honoured to compete for Canada here at my first Commonwealth Games, to make history in the squash community and now the biggest of all, leading Team Canada in the closing ceremony,” said Naughton. “If three weeks ago you would have told me this would be what my Games looked like, I wouldn’t have believed you! I’m beyond proud to have been given this opportunity. What an experience this week has been, this will take a while to sink in but for now let’s shut this games down!”
Visit http://commonwealthsport.ca for results, news, photos, videos, social media links and more.
ABOUT TEAM CANADA 2022
The 2022 Commonwealth Games will be host to 72 participating nations and territories taking part in the Games. The Commonwealth Games are a valuable opportunity as a steppingstone and development opportunity for Canadian athletes, coaches, and managers working towards Olympic and Paralympic success. Canada’s performance projection in 2022 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Commonwealth athletes won 80%+ of Canada’s medals at the 2020 Olympic Games
Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH SPORT CANADA
Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC is an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community and supports Canada’s athletes to achieve excellence at Olympic, Paralympic Games, and world championships. The mission of CSC is to enrich the lives of youth across the Commonwealth and host the Commonwealth Games. CSC is responsible for all aspects of Canada’s participation in the XXII Commonwealth Games and will be sending a team of almost 400 of Canada’s best athletes and coaches to compete for Canada. The Games will occur in Birmingham, England from July 28 through to August 8, 2022. For additional information go to: www.commonwealthsport.ca.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Kenny
Communications Team Leader – Team Canada 2022
Email: patrick@commonwealthsport.ca
0756405773