Water Polo Canada introduces its National Team for the 2023 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Championship

The competition will be held September 8-15 in Portugal

Ottawa, May 8, 2023 - Water Polo Canada is proud to announce the 13 athletes who have been selected to represent Canada at the 2023 World Aquatics Women’s U20 (junior) Championship to be held September 8-15 in Coimbra, Portugal.

The World Aquatics Women’s U20 (junior) Championship, which is held every two years, will showcase athletes under the age of 20 representing 20 countries and five continents.

The 13-players team will be led by Ethan D’Souza, currently Assistant Coach of the Arizona State University Women’s Team. He will be supported by Marina Radu, Head Coach of the Edmonton Tsunami Water Polo Club.

“We are excited for this team and staff to lead the charge in Portugal”, said Water Polo Canada Senior Manager, Leagues and Pathway, Andrew Muir. “A Junior World Championship is always an exciting tournament and an opportunity for our athletes, and often the last step on the road to the Senior National Team. We are looking forward to embracing the challenge of our group stage, and hopefully having a favourable cross to advance through the tournament.”

The Canadian team qualified for the 2023 World Aquatics Women’s U20 (junior) Championship with their silver medal at the 2022 Junior Pan American Championships held last July in Indianapolis.

At the last World Aquatics Women’s U20 (junior) Championship in which Canada took part in 2019 in Portugal, Canada came 10th overall. Current Water Polo Canada Women’s Senior National Team Talent Pool athletes Verica Bakoc, Marianne Bouchard-Côté, Floranne Carroll, Daphné Guèvrement, Myriam Lizotte, Blaire McDowell and Adrien Van Dyke were all members of that team.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Water Polo Canada did not send a team to the 2021 edition in Israel.

Canada’s best-ever performance at the World Aquatics Women’s U20 (junior) Championship was a gold medal in 2003.

Canadian Team at the 2023 World Aquatics Women’s U20 (junior) Championships
AHMAD, Lashyn (Montréal, QC-Edmonton Tsunami)
BROWNE, Serena (Pointe-Claire, QC-Stanford University/DDO)
BURLOCK, Alia (Edmonton, AB-University of Hawaii/Edmonton Tsunami)
COWAN, Ella (Stony Plain, AB-Edmonton Tsunami)
FEATHERSTONE, Katherine (Calgary, AB-Calgary Renegades)
FERGUSON, Ashley (Pointe-Claire, QC-DDO)
HACK, Mikayla (Regina, SK-Team Sask)
LAPIERRE, Simone (Regina, SK-Team Sask) - Goalie
LAWSON, Emma (Surrey, B.C.-University of South California/Fraser Valley)
MONTEIL, Capucine (Montréal, QC-CAMO) - Goalie
PATENAUDE, Gabrielle (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC-CAMO)
PEIRAVANI, Raha (North Vancouver, B.C.- University of Hawaii/Pacific Storm)
PETKOV, Alicia (Montréal, QC-University of the Pacific/CAMO)

Support Staff
Head Coach: Ethan D’Souza
Assistant Coach: Marina Radu
Team Manager: To be named later

Support the Team!
While Water Polo Canada contributes funds to reduce the costs associated with our Age Group National Teams attending international competitions, many of the costs are borne by the athletes and/or their families.

Help support our Canadian athletes by making a tax-free donation at https://waterpolocanada.crowdchange.co/15445/donate. In the comment box, don’t forget to mention “2023 Junior Women’s Team” so your donation will go specifically toward this program. Every donation received will go directly towards reducing participant costs (training and competition costs, apparel, travel, etc…) for this program and will benefit every athlete on the team.

Your generosity will make a world of difference for this next generation of athletes while they pursue their objectives, achieve their dreams and represent Canada with pride on the international stage!