The Canadian Women's Water Polo Team Continues its Road to Paris 2024 by Facing Off Against New Zealand

Ottawa, February 8, 2024 - The Water Polo Canada Women's National Team will continue its quest for one of the last two spots available at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by taking on New Zealand in a crossover match, set for Saturday at 11 a.m. (ET), at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships held in Doha, Qatar.

On Thursday, Canada ended the preliminary phase of the tournament with a 2-1 record after the team’s lone loss came by a 12-8 score at the hands of Italy. The Canadian women therefore finished second in Group D.

Canada will now face New Zealand on Saturday, a country that did not qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and which finished 11th at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Canada beat New Zealand 13-11 at that tournament.

The winner of Saturday’s match will face Spain, which finished first in Group B. Spain won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as well as at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships.

“We need to make sure we come out strong like we have in all of our games so far,” said Team Captain Emma Wright. “And also, obviously, make sure that we play our system and our game throughout the entire match. We're prepared for this game and we're ready.”

“For us, the key will pretty much remain the same: stay composed,” said Head Coach David Paradelo. “It will be important for us to take this game step by step and to prepare for it like we would for any other match.”

Defeated by the bronze medalists from the 2023 World Aquatics Championships
Facing Italy on Thursday, Emma Wright and Verica Bakoc each scored twice against a team that won silver at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, did not qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Games but earned bronze at the previous World Aquatics Championships held last summer in Fukuoka, Japan.

“I think we started the game well,” pointed out Axelle Crevier. “The Italians were decisive in moments where we weren't, but overall, I'm still happy with the result.”

“We started out with a good game level, we had good momentum and a good rhythm early on,” added David Paradelo. “Playing catch-up in games is always a hard thing to do. The girls worked and fought very well throughout the game. There is still a lot to learn and a long way to go in this tournament.”

In order to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at these 2024 World Aquatics Championships, the Canadian Team will have to be one of the top two teams among those that have not already qualified for the Olympic Games. This will be the last qualification event and opportunity for the team heading towards the Paris Olympic Games. The teams that have already qualified for the women’s Olympic tournament are: Australia, China, France, Greece, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain and the United States.

Games are streamed on the CBC Sports (https://www.cbc.ca/sports/streaming-schedule?sport=Aquatics-Water-Polo), Radio-Canada Sports (https://ici.radio-canada.ca/sports/diffusions and https://ici.tou.tv/en-direct) and World Aquatics (https://www.worldaquatics.com/watch-live) web platforms.

Canadian Women’s National Team for the 2024 World Aquatics Championships
BAKOC, Verica (Toronto, ON) - Mavericks
BROWNE, Serena (Pointe-Claire, QC) - DDO
CARROLL, Floranne (Montréal, QC) - CAMO
CREVIER, Axelle (Montréal, QC) - CAMO
GAUDREAULT, Jessica (Ottawa, ON) - Capital Wave
GUÈVREMONT, Daphné (Montréal, QC) - CAMO
LA ROCHE, Shae (Winnipeg, MB) - Winnipeg Bushido/EAU Laval
LEKNESS, Rae (Calgary, AB) - Calgary Renegades
LEMAY-LAVOIE, Elyse (Montréal, QC) - CAMO
MCDOWELL, Blaire (Fernie, B.C.) - Water Polo Saskatchewan
McKELVEY, Hayley (North Delta, B.C.) - Pacific Storm
MIMIDES, Maria Eleni (Marilia) (Glyfada, GRE, & Toronto, ON) - DDO
PAUL, Kindred (Spruce Grove, AB) - Edmonton Tsunami - Edmonton Tsunami
VULPISI, Clara (Montréal, QC) - CAMO
WRIGHT, Emma (Whitby, ON) - Scarborough Shadow Water polo

Alternate: DAVIS, Lucy (Port Moody, B.C.) - Pacific Storm

Water Polo Canada Women’s National Team Support Staff for the 2024 World Aquatics Championships
Head Coach: David Paradelo
Assistant Coaches: Cora Campbell & Stefano Posterivo
Massage Therapist: Manon Prieur
Physiotherapist: Brian Li
Mental Performance Coach (preparatory training camp): Sommer Christie
Video Coach: Francisco Zelaya
Team Manager: Mitch Kaufman
High Performance Director: Olivier Pineau

Hélène Painchaud from Montréal, QC, is attending the 2024 World Aquatics Championships as a referee.

More information is available on Water Polo Canada’s website at https://waterpolo.ca/content/doha-2024.