Ringette Canada announces remainder of Team Canada bench staff, team selection details
Ottawa, Ontario – December 2, 2014 – Ringette Canada today announced the remainder of its Team Canada bench staff for its 2016 national team program, as well as details on its team selection process. Joining head coach Barb Bautista (Ottawa/Calgary) on the senior national team bench will be Julie Blanchette (Montreal) and Trina Janssens (Calgary) as assistant coaches and Stephanie Laurin (Kingston) as team leader.
Jackie Deschenes (Ajax) will fulfill the role of team leader for the junior national team, joining already announced head coach Lorrie Horne (Sherwood Park) and assistant coaches Chris Belan (Calgary) and Bryson Lamble (Nepean). The junior and senior national teams will also benefit from longtime athletic therapist Connie Klassen (Victoria) and mental performance consultant Carl Nienhuis (Abbotsford).
Both teams will be finalized following a selection camp held in Toronto from May 14-18, 2015. In addition to being scouted, the senior national team hopefuls will participate in one of two regional training weekends prior to the May selection camp (West on April 25-26, 2015 and East on May 2-3, 2015), with up to 36 athletes being invited to the final camp. Athletes born on or after January1, 1995 are eligible for the junior national team, with 45 athletes being invited to the May selection camp following scouting at various events.
The national teams will compete in the 2016 world ringette championships that will take place in Helsinki, Finland from December 28th, 2015 to January 4th, 2016. All athletes must declare their interest to participate in the 2016 national team program and although athletes will be scouted, only athletes who have officially registered will be invited to the team selection camps. Athletes are encouraged to register by January 1, 2015 through the following links:
Junior national team: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sdxO9oEGZLs_rdikuTQ6J0IgoDVg8gFPNZFCQtfsIwc/viewform
Senior national team:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XldNkXjNl9kIi6eWzGx0lxKZc7S-S9rrecunsE6d8c/viewform
“We are very excited that we are one step closer to having our national teams come together,” said Frances Losier, Ringette Canada’s Director of High Performance and Events. “Julie, Trina, Steph and Jackie round out the respected line-up of team staff we have already named, and I am confident that we have assembled the right mix of skill and leadership to achieve success at the international level.”
Julie Blanchette is no stranger to international ringette, having played on Team Canada in 2004, 2007 and 2010, as well as being on the bench as assistant coach for the senior national team in 2013 and the junior national team in 2009.
“Being part of Team Canada’s coaching staff is a huge honour,” comments Blanchette. “To be able to coach the best athletes our country has to offer is exceptional, and a challenge that motivates me.”
Trina Janssens coached in the Calgary AA program for 16 years taking teams to three National Championships and one NRL Championship. She also coached at the 2007 Canada Winter Games with the team achieving silver. Trina brings 15 years playing experience to her coaching, including five national championships and gold at Canada Winter Games. “Being a former Team Canada athlete, I understand the hard work, commitment and sacrifice required to compete at a high level,” said Janssens.
In addition to the experience she is gathering from being team leader for Ontario at the upcoming 2015 Canada Winter Games, Steph Laurin will be bringing her experience as team leader with the 2012 U19 Mosaic Program (Team France, Team Russia and Team USA) to the senior national team program. “To be a part of the national team program is very special,” said Laurin. “Working with a group of athletes and coaches committed to performing at the highest level will be a great experience for me to be a part of and I am very much looking forward this opportunity.”
Jackie Deschenes has been involved with ringette for over 27 years in many roles, including player, coach, official, executive member and serving as technical director for Ontario Ringette for four years. Jackie has also volunteered at the 2010 Olympics, represented Canada at the International Olympic Academy in 2011 and is currently the executive director of Ontario Speed Skating Association.
“I am excited to be a part of the group leading Canada’s top athletes onto the international stage of competition,” remarked Deschenes. “Being a part of Team Canada is an honour I am looking forward to experiencing with all members of the junior national team.”