Squash Canada announces team for Delhi CWG

NEW DELHI - Two-time defending Men’s Open National Champion, Shahier Razik, and three-time Women’s Open National Champion, Alana Miller, will lead a very talented group of Canadian squash players at the Delhi Commonwealth Games to be held from October 3 to 14.

With squash not currently on the Olympic program, the squash competition at the Commonwealth Games is one of the top events on the international squash calendar with leading nations such as England, Australia and New Zealand sending their best players.

“I’d like to congratulate all of the squash athletes being named today and to welcome them to Team Canada,” said Martha Deacon, Canada’s Chef de Mission. “There is an excitement building as the 2010 Commonwealth Games draw nearer. I’m very much looking forward to cheering on our squash team as they compete against many of the world’s best in Delhi.”

Yvon Provengal, Canada’s National Squash Coach, added: “With all of our Canadian players competing on international circuits, we look forward to taking on many of the best players in the world in Delhi. We know that players like Shahier and Alana will provide great leadership to the younger players and we expect to create some upsets.”

The Canadian team will be an excellent mix of experience and new blood: Razik, Shawn DeLierre and Miller are all seasoned veterans with Razik and DeLierre having participated in previous Commonwealth Games. Robin Clarke and Miranda Ranieri are progressing constantly on their circuit with both having won titles this season. Finally, Andrew McDougall, Samantha Cornett and Stephanie Edmison will bring their proven talent and enthusiasm to the team.

Athletes named by Squash Canada to Team Canada for the 2010 Commonwealth Games were selected based on their ranking on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour for Men and the Women’s International Squash Player Association (WISPA) tour for Women as of July 1, 2010. They include:

Women

Alana Miller (Winnipeg, MB), 30, 3-time Canadian Champion (2004, 2007, 2008); Winner, 2009 WISPA Flying Pig Open; runner-up, 2010 Racquet Club International; second at 2007 Pan American Games and helped Canada to a first-place finish in the team event; first at 2005 Pan American Championships individual competition and helped Team Canada to a second-place finish; currently the top-ranked Canadian in the world (#36); two-time competitor at the World University Games as well as the World Team Championships.

Miranda Ranieri (Toronto, ON), 24, reigning Canadian Champion (2010); two-time winner on the WISPA Tour (FASSP St-Luke and Pepsi Niagara Open); first Commonwealth Games; semi-finalist at 2008 Pan American Championships in Ecuador; currently ranked 49th in the world.

Stephanie Edmison (Toronto, ON), 23, 3-time Canadian University Champion; has represented Canada’s senior teams on the international stage twice: once at the Pan American Championships in 2006 and in 2008 at the World University Games, helping her team to a Top 4 finish in both events; currently ranked 77th in the world.

Samantha Cornett (Dunrobin, ON), 19, youngest player going to Delhi; second time representing Canada’s senior team on the international stage, the only other time being the 2009 Pan American Championships where she helped her team win the silver medal; currently enjoying her highest ranking ever at 91st in the world.

Men

Shahier Razik (Toronto, ON), 32, the most experienced Canadian player going to India; third time competing at the Commonwealth Games; also represented Canada three times at the Pan American Games, where he won the individual gold in the Dominican Republic in 2003; 4-time Canadian Champion (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010); 2-time defending National Capital Open Champion (2009, 2010); the highest-ranked Canadian player in the world (#27).

Shawn Delierre (Montrial, QC), 28, has represented Canada at World Team Championships, two Pan American Championships and in 2007 at the Pan American Games, where he won the bronze medal; second time competing at the Commonwealth Games; currently ranked 92nd in the world.

Robin Clarke (Toronto, ON), 24, will be participating in his first Commonwealth Games; helped Canada to a silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games as well as the 2006 Pan American Championships and a semi-final berth at the Pan American Championship in 2008 in Ecuador; currently ranked 78th in the world.

Andrew McDougall (Calgary, AB), 22, will be taking part in his first Commonwealth Games; represented Canada’s senior team twice before on the international stage; at the 2005 and at the 2008 Pan American Championships; currently ranked 111th in the world.

Coach - Yvon Provencal (Montrial, QC)

Team Leader - Trevor Borland (Winnipeg, MB). (ANI)