(BEIJING, CHINA) The Canadian Women’s U25 National Wheelchair Basketball Team opened the 2015 Women’s U25 World Championship with a 50-30 loss against Great Britain on Tuesday in Beijing, China.
“It was a tough game today against a Great Britain side that has very strong fundamental skill,” said Ross Norton, head coach of Team Canada. “On the positive side, the girls are playing as a team and we’re confident we will bounce back in our next game.”
“The girls are playing as a team and we’re confident we will bounce back in our next game.”
Arinn Young, of Legal, Alta., led all Canadian players with 11 points while making her junior women’s world championship debut. Teammate Erica Gavel, of Prince Albert, Sask., dropped five points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Canada got off to a slow start and trailed 14-7 after the opening frame. Great Britain applied relentless pressure to carry a 29-11 lead into halftime, before widening the gap to 44-15 after three quarters of play. The Canadians found some rhythm in the final period, outscoring the Brits 15-6 to close out the game but the deficit was too much to overcome. Great Britain capitalized on its scoring opportunities, shooting 40 per cent from two-point range, while Canada converted on 28.5 per cent of its field goals during the game.
The Canadians hope to celebrate Canada Day with a tally in the win column when they face host China in their next match at 3:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
The Women’s U25 World Championship is held every four years and Canada is one of six countries competing for the world title from June 30 to July 6, 2015 in Beijing. Canada placed fourth as the host nation at the inaugural world championship for junior women in 2011 in St. Catharines, Ont.
The following athletes are representing Canada (athletes’ city of residence indicated / returning players from the 2011 team denoted with a *):
#4 Corin Metzger (Elmira, Ont.)*
#5 Élodie Tessier (St-Germain de Grantham, Que.)
#6 Helaina Cyr (Sherwood Park, Alta.)*
#7 Danielle Arbour (St. John’s, N.L.)
#8 Alarissa Haak (Sherwood Park, Alta.)*
#9 Maude Jacques (Lac-Beauport, Que.)*
#10 Zoe Hahn (Linwood, Ont.)
#12 Sara Black (Toronto, Ont.)
#13 Arinn Young (Legal, Alta.)
#14 Erica Gavel (Saskatoon, Sask.)
#15 Rosalie Lalonde (St-Clet, Que.)
Head Coach: Ross Norton (Edmonton, Alta.)
Assistant Coach: Simon Cass (Victoria, B.C.)
To arrange interviews, please contact Courtney Pollock at 613-260-1296 ext. 203 or cpollock@wheelchairbasketball.ca.
About Team Canada
The Women’s U25 National Team develops the top young Canadian female athletes in preparation for the IWBF Women’s U25 World Championships, which take place every four years. Players must be 25 years old or younger to be eligible to compete. Canada hosted the inaugural world championship for junior women in 2011, where the Team Canada placed fourth.
About Wheelchair Basketball Canada
Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the national sports governing body responsible for the organization of the sport in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is committed to excellence in the development, support and promotion of wheelchair basketball programs and services for all Canadians from grassroots to high performance. Wheelchair basketball is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport in which Canada is held in high esteem around the world for winning a combined six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the last six Paralympic Games.