Water Polo Canada announces rosters for the 2018 FINA Inter-Continental Tournament
Water Polo Canada – (Montreal, Mach 14, 2018) – Water Polo Canada (WPC) is proud to announce the rosters for the upcoming FINA World League Inter-Continental Tournament to be held in Auckland, New Zealand from April 3 to 8, 2018. For the first time since 2015, Canada will send both men and women’s national teams to compete in this tournament. The Inter-Continental Tournament serves as the qualifier event for the 2018 FINA World League Super Finals.
Last year, the Canadian women’s team qualified for the Super Final by finishing in third at the Inter-Continental Tournament. Our Canadian women would then go on to win a silver medal at the 2017 FINA World League Super Final, matching the best finish since 2009 at this tournament. Canada will be looking to top last year’s performance by clinching a spot for the Super Final. Canada will be competing in Group A alongside three other nations; China, Japan, and New Zealand.
“This is our first tournament since the FINA World Championships in Budapest and our main objective is to qualify for the World League Super Final. This event marks the beginning of the competitive season for our national team, and we are looking forward to see how the team progressed since last summer” said David Paradelo, Head coach of the Women’s National Team.
The Canadian Women will play their first game against China, at 2:10 pm on April 3, 2018 (local) / April 2 9:10 pm (EDT). Matches will be played daily with the finals scheduled for Sunday, April 8th.
Roster – Women’s National Team
|
First Name |
Last Name |
Hometown |
|
Krystina |
Alogbo |
Montréal, QC |
|
Joelle |
Bekhazi |
Pointe-Claire, QC |
|
Michelle |
Caron |
Montréal, QC |
|
Floranne |
Carroll |
Montréal, QC |
|
Axelle |
Crevier |
Montréal, QC |
|
Monika |
Eggens |
Pitt Meadows, BC |
|
Shae |
Fournier |
Winnipeg, MB |
|
Rachael |
Jaffe |
Toronto, ON |
|
Kelly |
McKee |
Calgary, AB |
|
Gurpreet |
Sohi |
Delta, BC |
|
Alexa |
Tielmann |
Abbotsford, BC |
|
Brianna |
Utas |
Abbotsford, BC |
|
Clara |
Vulpisi |
Montréal, QC |
Staff
Head Coach: David Paradelo
Assistant Coach: Cora Campbell
Assistant Coach: Andrew Robinson
High Performance Director: Justin Oliveira
Manager: Laurence Melançon
Physiotherapist: Felix Croteau
Massage Therapist: Manon Prieur
Referee: Jean-François Morrisseau
The Men’s national team will return to the Inter-Continental Tournament after a three-year break in the FINA World League. With a total of nine teams eligible for the FINA World League Super Final, the qualification will be the main objective in Auckland for the Canadian men’s team. With a five-day preliminary round and a final ranking day, every game will be crucial for the Canadians. They will compete in Group A with Kazakhstan, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand 2.
“Our World League Qualifying round is very balanced. The first two games against Kazakhstan and Australia will be decisive for us, as I consider these teams to be our main competitors on the Super Final route” mentioned Pino Porzio, Men’s National Team Head Coach. “We are working hard to ensure ideal conditions in Auckland. The common training carried out first in Budapest and then in Barcelona allowed us to verify the degree of growth of the team in general and the younger athletes in particular. It will be a tough tournament for everyone, and we will have to perform at our best.”
Canada will open up the 2018 FINA Inter-Continental Tournament by facing Kazakhstan April 3 at 10:00 am (local)/ April 2 – 5:00 pm (EDT). Matches will be played daily with the final ranking day scheduled for Sunday, April 8th.
Roster – Men’s national team
|
First Name |
Last Name |
Hometown |
|
Nicolas |
Constantin-Bicari |
Repentigny, QC |
|
Jérémie |
Côté |
Pointe-Claire, QC |
|
Reuel |
D’Souza |
Port Coquitlam, BC |
|
Aleksa |
Gardijan |
Gatineau, QC |
|
David |
Lapins |
Gatineau, QC |
|
Gaelan |
Patterson |
North Vancouver, BC |
|
Milan |
Radenovic |
Toronto, ON |
|
Samuel |
Reiher |
Longueuil, QC |
|
Scott |
Robinson |
Calgary, AB |
|
Aria |
Soleimani |
Calgary, AB |
|
Sean |
Spooner |
Port Coquitlam, BC |
|
Devon |
Thumwood |
Calgary, AB |
|
George |
Torakis |
Montréal, QC |
Head Coach: Giuseppe “Pino” Porzio
Assistant Coach: Brian Parillo
Assistant Coach/Manager: Robin Randall
High Performance Director: Justin Oliveira
Physiotherapist: John Roberts
Video Analyst: Francesco Rizzo
Referee: Evan Andrews
Follow Water Polo Canada’s website and social media for all updates. For more information, please visit the FINA Inter-Continental Tournament website.
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For further information and interview requests, please contact:
Mylène Turcotte-Fitzgerald, Water Polo Canada Communications
mfitzgerald@waterpolo.ca // 613-748-5682 x325
About Water Polo Canada I www.waterpolo.ca
Water Polo Canada (WPC) is the National Sport Organization for Water Polo in Canada. Its purpose is to nationally lead the growth and the pursuit of excellence for the sport of water polo while respecting the following set of values: Accountability, Commitment, Equity, Innovation, Integrity, and Teamwork. Water Polo Canada acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada and of other partners such as Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Sport Institutes network and the Coaching Association of Canada.