Seven field hockey teenagers from Victoria will join Team Canada in the Canada vs. U.S.A. Challenge in Vancouver April 4 to 8.
Three of the members are on Canada’s under-21 team and four more on the under-17 team.
Defender Kathleen Leahy of the UVic Vikes (Oak Bay High), midfielder Paige Norris of the Boston College Eagles (Mount Douglas) and midfielder Maddie Secco of Oak Bay High will represent the South Island on Canada’s U21 squad against U.S.A.’s under-19 team in the four-match series.
Still in Grade 12, Secco is the only Victoria athlete currently rostered with the national women’s senior team, while Leahy will play her first major game since recovering from ACL surgery this year.
Canada is also entering an under-17 team led by Vikes assistant coach Krista Thompson. That team features Jenna Dhillon of St. Michaels University School, Elspeth McGillivray of Glenlyon Norfolk School, Gillian Kirkpatrick of Oak Bay High and Kristina Walters-Shumka of Claremont.
The Canada vs. U.S.A. Challenge junior national test series is a warmup for the upcoming Junior Pan American Championships in September.
For more information visit www.fieldhockey.ca/USACANADAchallenge .