Racquetball Canada has announced the selection of the Elite, Development and Junior National Teams for the 2022-2023 season, which include a strong Saskatchewan component.
Lee Connell (Saskatoon), Danielle Drury (Saskatoon) and Tanner Prentice (Macrorie) were all named to the National Elite Team, as was former Saskatchewan athlete Christine Keay (New Westminster). Cassie Prentice (Macrorie) was named to the National Development Team and the Junior National Team.
Most of those from across Canada who have been named to the National Elite and Development Teams are returning members whose achievements at the national level are notable. As well, most team members have experience at the elite international level, some of whom have had significant competitive results. All team members have represented Canada, either as an elite or junior athlete.
Connell, Drury, Keay and Cassie Prentice have all competed for Canada at the elite international level, with Drury and Keay reaching the podium. All Saskatchewan athletes named to teams also competed at the junior level internationally as well.
“Racquetball Canada is excited to continue to build and grow our high performance program with the announcement of our 2022-23 National Teams,” said Jen Saunders, Racquetball Canada’s High Performance Director. “We believe in our athletes and are proud to support their development both as athletes and human beings. We know we can’t do this without the our coaches and thank them for their commitment to our program. Please join me in congratulating Team Canada.”
The national teams were selected based on results from two selection events held this past year, including the recent National Championships.
Teams representing Canada in international competition for the upcoming season will be selected from the national teams. Saskatchewan athletes have a good chance for selection to those teams.
National Women’s Elite Team
| Athlete | Residence | Club |
| Frédérique Lambert | Montréal, QC | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
| Michèle Morissette | Baie-Comeau, QC | Baie-Comeau, QC |
| Danielle Drury | Saskatoon, SK | University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK |
| Juliette Parent | Saint-Jacques, QC | Club Sportif 777 Joliette, QC |
| Christine Keay | New Westminster, BC | Maple Ridge Leisure Centre Maple Ridge, BC |
| Alexis Iwaasa | Edmonton, AB | Kinsmen Sport Centre Edmonton, AB |
National Men’s Elite Team
| Athlete | Residence | Club |
| Samuel Murray | St-Hubert, QC | Sani Sport Brossard, QC |
| Coby Iwaasa | Lethbridge, AB | Lethbridge College Lethbridge, AB |
| Lee Connell | Saskatoon, SK | University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK |
| Trevor Webb | Cambridge, ON | Chaplin Family YMCA Cambridge, ON |
| Kurtis Cullen | Brandon, MB | Brandon Community Sportsplex Brandon, MB |
| Tanner Prentice | Macrorie, SK | University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK |
National Women’s Development Team
| Athlete | Residence | Club |
| Cassie Prentice | Macrorie, SK | University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK |
| Marjolaine Parent | Saint-Jacques, QC | Sani Sport Brossard, QC |
| Ofelia Wilscam | Repentigny, QC | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
| Tamara Wilscam | Repentigny, QC | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
| Chloé Jauvin | Terrebonne, QC | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
National Men’s Development Team
| Athlete | Residence | Club |
| Michael Leduc | Baie-Comeau, QC | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
| Nathan Jauvin | Terrebonne, QC | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
| Mitchell Brayley | Calgary, AB | Acadia Recreation Complex Calgary, AB |
| Christian Pocsai | New Hamburg, ON | A.R Kaufman YMCA Kitchener, ON |
| Naman Gauri | Lethbridge, AB | Lethbridge College Lethbridge, AB |
Junior National Team
| Athlete | Residence | Division | Club |
| Juliette Parent | Saint-Jacques, QC | 21 & Under Girls | Club Sportif 777 Joilette, QC |
| Cassie Prentice | Macrorie, SK | 21 & Under Girls | University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, SK |
| Ofelia Wilscam | Repentigny, QC | 16 & Under Girls | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
| Tamara Wilscam | Repentigny, QC | 16 & Under Girls | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
| Nathan Jauvin | Terrebonne, QC | 18 & Under Boys | Nautilus Plus Brossard, QC |
| Christian Pocsai | New Hamburg, ON | 18 & Under Boys | A.F Kaufman YMCA Kitchener, ON |
| Asher Pocsai | New Hamburg, ON | 16 & Under Boys | A.R. Kaufman YMCA Kitchener, ON |
| Leyton Gouldie | Brandon, MB | 16 & Under Boys | Brandon Community Sportsplex Brandon, MB |
The following high performance coaches from across Canada coach athletes on the National Elite and Development Teams:
- Michel Gagnon – Longueuil, Québec
- Tim Landeryou – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Rino Langelier – Montréal, Québec
- Evan Pritchard – Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Ross Richardson – Regina, Saskatchewan
Photo credit: Racquetball Canada / Kevin Savoury