CAN - A final cut for Canada both on and off the court

TORONTO (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament For Women) – Head coach Allison McNeill may have found it tough swinging the axe for the final time ahead of Ankara but excitement rather than regret remains the overriding emotion ahead of the forthcoming FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.
 
Speaking after she managed to shrink her preliminary roster down to a dozen names, the play-caller admitted those who didn’t make it would still have been up to helping with the important task which lies ahead.
 
“It was a very difficult decision for the coaching staff, as we had many excellent athletes in camp,” explained McNeill.
 
“When we got down to 16 athletes, they were all capable in playing for Canada.”
 
She added: “We are very excited about this group of athletes that we are taking to the Olympic qualifier.”
 
Former WNBA forward Kim Smith will continue to headline for Canada who can probably also rely on the benefits of real continuity from previous tournament. Nine of the 12 players who participated at the 2010 FIBA World Championship Women in Czech Republic are included and 10 of the 12 players who took the court in the FIBA Americas last summer.

The other final cut which has taken place away from the floor is the completion of a short documentary to try and raise the profile of the team which the Federation firmly believes is one of Canada’s best kept secrets.

Entitled ‘Win The Day’, fans can grab a unique insight into a critically important training camp last month. There are also interviews with Coach McNeill and some of the players, as well as footage from an exciting exhibition game against China.
 
Canada will complete their preparation schedule during the next couple of weeks ahead of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament with two exhibition games versus Great Britain in Scotland and an exhibition tournament in France versus Croatia, Czech Republic and the host nation.

The omitted quartet of Janelle Bekkering, Krysten Boogaard, Megan Pinske and Kendel Ross all remain on standby in the event of any subsequent withdrawls.
 
Canada squad for Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women: Natalie Achonwa, Chelsea Aubry, Miranda Ayim, Teresa Gabriele, Lizanne Murphy, Krista Phillips, Courtnay Pilypaitis, Michelle Plouffe, Kim Smith, Alisha Tatham, Tamara Tatham, Shona Thorburn.

FIBA