Four of Canada’s elite are bound for Manchester, England as Squash Canada announces the four-member Team Canada squad that will compete at the 2017 World Squash Federation (WSF) World Doubles Championships.
Four of Canada’s elite are bound for Manchester, England as Squash Canada announces the four-member Team Canada squad that will compete at the 2017 World Squash Federation (WSF) World Doubles Championships.
From August 1st to 5th, Sam Cornett (Deep River, ON), Nikki Todd (Regina, SK), Shawn De Lierre (Montreal, QC) and David Baillargeon (Montreal, QC) will represent Canada in the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles events of the 2017 World Championships.
Pan Am Games women’s doubles Silver medallists Cornett and Todd will form the backbone of the squad. No strangers to sharing the international doubles court, Cornett and Todd will look to build off their 2015 Pan Am Games silver in Toronto and make a statement at the 2017 World Doubles Championships. Joining Cornett and Todd, is 2015 Pan Am Games bronze medallist, Shawn De Lierre. The seasoned veteran and 2-time Canadian Men’s Champion has competed on several international stages and is set to take on this World Championship court with International competitor newcomer, David Baillargeon.
Leading the team will be long-time National Team coach, Yvon Provençal (Montreal, QC). Yvon was court-side when Team Canada captured six medals at the 2015 Pan Am Games (1 gold, 3 silvers and 2 bronze). Three of the four athletes competing at the 2017 Worlds were members of that medal-winning squad under Provencal.
“This will be only the second time that Canada has appeared at the World Doubles* and we will look to build off our Pan Am Games experience, where we saw success on the doubles court. Sam and Nikki are a duo who have meshed well together, and their silver in Toronto proves that”, said Provençal at the conclusion of the final selections meeting. “Young David Baillargeon had a great showing at the trials; paired with his Montreal comrade and Team Canada squad vet Shawn, they will be looking to pressure the leading nations”, Provençal concluded.
The four selectees earned their place on the Canadian squad after three intense days of play that included ten of Canada’s best players during last week’s World Doubles Team Trials, hosted by Squash Moncton in Moncton, NB. Squash Canada and all the athletes are extremely appreciative of Squash Moncton and all they have done leading up to, during and since the team trials. Not only did Squash Moncton extend a large dose of Maritime hospitality and opened their world-class doubles courts, the 2015 Pan-Am Games legacy courts, they have raised significant monies that will help get the selected athletes and coach to Manchester.
Ten of Canada's best hit the courts in Moncton during last week's World Doubles Team Trials
With the team now set, the players and coach will assemble at Montreal’s Club Sportif MAA during the weeks leading up to the Worlds. The Club Sportif MAA houses one of only three regulation softball doubles courts in Canada, and is the home club for De Lierre, Baillargeon and Provençal. With the Men’s and Women’s teams set, the Mixed pairings will continue to be evaluated as the players embark on further doubles training. Squash Canada will announce the Mixed pairings closer to the event.
The 2017 WSF World Doubles Championships has more than a World title on the line; a top-5 finish in Manchester would earn a Canadian berth in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Stay connected with the squad throughout the Worlds, follow Squash Canada on Twitter @squashcanada and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/squashcanada/) for live match updates and results.
Squash Canada will post the draws for all events once they are published at http://squash.ca/en/national-team
*Editors Note: Canada's duo of Jamie Crombie and Heather Wallace won the bronze medal in the Mixed Doubles event in 1997 – Canada's only other appearance at the World Doubles Championships in 1997.
ABOUT SQUASH CANADA
Founded in 1915, Squash Canada is a non-profit, national sport governing body responsible for the development of athletes, coaches and officials and sets the standards for Canadian squash. Squash Canada is a proud member of the Pan-American and World Squash Federations and participates in the Pan-American Championships, Commonwealth & Pan-Am Games as well as World Championships at the junior and senior level. Each year Squash Canada hosts nine national championships across the country and works with its provincial and territorial partners to promote the growth and development of squash across the country. For more information, visit www.squash.ca. Join the conversation, get social with squash – follow Squash Canada on Facebook and Twitter.
Founded in 1915, Squash Canada is a non-profit, national sport governing body responsible for the development of athletes, coaches and officials and sets the standards for Canadian squash. Squash Canada is a proud member of the Pan-American and World Squash Federations and participates in the Pan-American Championships, Commonwealth & Pan-Am Games as well as World Championships at the junior and senior level. Each year Squash Canada hosts nine national championships across the country and works with its provincial and territorial partners to promote the growth and development of squash across the country. For more information, visit www.squash.ca. Join the conversation, get social with squash – follow Squash Canada on Facebook and Twitter.
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For more information:
Britany Gordon
Programs Manager, Squash Canada
(613) 228-7724 x202
britany.gordon@squash.ca
Britany Gordon
Programs Manager, Squash Canada
(613) 228-7724 x202
britany.gordon@squash.ca
