Bowls Canada Announces National Squads

January 31, 2015

Ottawa, Ontario | January 31, 2015

Bowls Canada is thrilled to announce the selection of the 2015-16 National and Development Squads.

Ryan Bester of Hanover, Ontario, 2014 Commonwealth Games Silver medalist, will lead the men’s national squad. The squad also welcomes back Alfred Wallace – winner of the 2014 Canadian Men’s Singles Championships.  Wallace is a previous Commonwealth Games medalist and is confident that he returns to the team better than ever.

The women’s national squad reflects both up and coming young talent as well as experienced veterans such as 2014 Commonwealth Games athletes Kelly McKerihen (Toronto, Ontario), Leanne Chinery (Auckland, NZ), Jacqueline Foster (Lower Sackville, NS) and former Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist, Shirley Fitzpatrick-Wong (Winnipeg, MB).

Men’s National Squad	Women’s National Squad
Ryan Bester (Hanover, ON) Pat Bird (Calgary, AB) Darryl Fitzgerald (Kitchener, ON) Steve McKerihen (Toronto, ON) Steven Santana (North Vancouver, BC) Chris Stadnyk (Niagara Falls, ON) Ryan Stadnyk (Niagara Falls, ON) Alfred Wallace (Sherwood Park, AB)	Amanda Berg (Edmonton, AB) Katelyn Brierley (Brentwood Bay, BC) Leanne Chinery (Auckland, NZ) Shirley Fitzpatrick-Wong (Winnipeg, MB) Jacqueline Foster (Lower Sackville, NS) Kelly McKerihen (Toronto, ON) Harriette Pituley (Regina, SK) Pricilla Westlake (Delta, BC)

Athletes from across Canada applied to be selected to only eight spots on each of the men’s and women’s national squads.  While the smaller squad numbers will allow for more opportunities for the athletes to play together and develop the solid playing relationship required for international success, it made for a very tough selection process.  “We were extremely fortunate to be selecting from a pool of very talented and capable bowlers.  The quality of the applications was outstanding. We have a group of players that can win now and a young group following them that will be ready to step in if anyone falters,” said High Performance Chairperson Don Caswell.

The Development Squad is an exciting new opportunity that will not only promote the fostering of up and coming talent, but allow for a clear athlete pathway to international competition.  The youngest member of this inaugural squad is Regina, Saskatchewan’s Jordan Kos.  At just fourteen years of age, Kos represented Canada this past fall as a member of the North American Challenge team.  “This opportunity is a dream come true”, said Kos.  Kos is joined on the Development Squad by fellow Saskatchewan athletes Grant Wilkie (Saskatoon) and Michael Pituley (Regina).  “Given the focus that Saskatchewan has placed on developing junior athletes, it is not surprising to see this type of representation”, stated Bowls Canada Executive Director Anna Mees.  “Saskatchewan has definitely been leading the way with their concentration on the training and coaching of junior bowlers.”

Men’s Development Squad	Women’s Development Squad
Cameron Lefresne (Enfield, NS) Michael Pituley (Regina, SK) Jake Schuknecht (Chesley, ON) Grant Wilkie (Saskatoon, SK)	Heather Battles (Auckland, NZ) Kay Johns (Seaforth, ON) Jordan Kos (Regina, SK) Stirling Wood (Midland, ON)

For more information, please contact:
Anna Mees
Executive Director, Bowls Canada Boulingrin
amees@bowlscanada.com

About Bowls Canada Boulingrin     
Bowls Canada Boulingrin (BCB) is the governing body responsible for lawn bowls in Canada. The BCB mission is to promote, foster and safeguard the sport of outdoor and indoor bowls in all its forms across the country.  BCB is committed to the highest standards for the conduct and development of lawn bowls in Canada. For more details on Bowls Canada Boulingrin and the sport of lawn bowls, visit www.bowlscanada.com.