TEAM CANADA
Team Canada Mixed > Rumi Tejpar
The formal beginning was in the middle of May in frigid Toronto as the U23 mixed team had their first training camp. Comparing it to other standard training camps, the energy was a bit different: the roster had not yet been finalized and there was a nervous energy that pervaded the training camp. This energy invigorated each player to push hard throughout the weekend- to push through even when our bodies told us otherwise. Through rain, snow, wind and even hail we persevered. This nervous energy, however, did not come without a downside. Stemming from each player being cognisant of the fact that they might be cut, as individuals we played more conservatively and selfishly, which in the end stifled our ability to gel on the field. Nevertheless, strong team chemistry was still built off the field. Between Hugh Knapp demonstrating to the team that he could clap with his feet to watching the Toronto Rush dominate the field, we had our fair share of
good times to bond over.
The second time the mixed team met was for Poultry Days in Versailles, Ohio. Although only the Eastern players attended, it gave the team a better opportunity to come together on the field. We faced off against the Canadian World Games team in the quarter finals and despite knowing that it was an unwinnable battle, we fought hard and had one of our best showings of the tournament with outstanding individual plays and
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burgeoning team chemistry. We went on to lose to a USA Club team, AMP, in the fifth place game.
The last time the team would meet before the final push for Worlds was in Washington state for the world-renowned tournament known for its play and party calibre: Potlatch. With the whole team present, the experience did not disappoint. It was at this tournament that the nerves of finally being on Team Canada were all shaken out and our true potential was realized. Off the field, camping, dancing and swimming brought us together. On the field, for the first time, there were moments of brilliance when being a world champion felt like an attainable goal. These moments confirmed what we thought we already knew: we were an incredibly gifted and athletic team and if we executed properly, we could be champions.
Fast forward through the grueling sprint workouts, the hours of throwing and the constant Facebook banter between teammates and we arrive at pre-Worlds training camp in Toronto. The team had a final six hours of practice together before our first game at worlds. During this time we solidified lines and dealt with the new set of nerves that was taking over our psyche by reinforcing our core tenets of success and reaffirming our goals. Facing the third seed (Australia) in a practice match did nothing but
help our confidence going into the tournament as we beat them handily.
The next day we moved into the residences at York University and from then on, it was go time. Honestly speaking, my on-the-field memory is a blur. Not because it was anything less than spectacular but because when playing with teammates that are as passionate as the ones on this team drives you into a state in which, at the moment, is so visceral that it
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