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.
