Field Hockey: Jagdish Gill, Keegan Pereira, Sukhi Panesar on 2015 National Team, eight South Asians on Senior Development Squad

Jagdish Gill
Jagdish Gill

 

THE Canadian Men’s National Field Hockey Program confirmed its 2015 Men’s National Team (MNT) and Senior Development Squad (SDS) rosters on Monday.

The National Team consists of 22 athletes who are considered ready for international competition and who will help guide Canada through various competitions in 2015 and the pursuit of 2016 Olympic qualification. They include three South Asians: Jagdish Gill, Keegan Pereira and Sukhi Panesar.

The National Team is led by 27-year-old veteran Scott Tupper (Vancouver) who returns as team captain. Veteran defender David Jameson (Vancouver) leads the team in international games played with 203.

At 20 years of age, Sukhi Panesar (Surrey, B.C.) is the youngest on the roster.

 

Keegan Pereira
Keegan Pereira

SIXTEEN athletes have been named to the Senior Development Squad, which is reserved for players who are considered close to breaking through to the MNT and are continually making progress towards Senior International competition.

Half of the team comprise South Asians.

 

THE men are entering a year of competition during which qualification for the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio, Brazil is up for grabs through two qualification pathways. The first being the World League tournament, the second being the Pan American Games, which Canada hosts in Toronto in the summer of 2015.

In preparation for these two tournaments, the MNT will take part in many test tournaments throughout the year, for which – as will be done for World League and the Pan Am Games – specific touring rosters will be named.

 

Sukhi Panesar
Sukhi Panesar

South Asians in 2015 Men’s National Team:

 

  1. Jagdish Gill / Defender / Toronto, ON (Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India)
  2. Keegan Pereira / Midfield / Ajax, ON (Birthplace: Mumbai, India)
  3. Sukhi Panesar / Midfield / Surrey, BC (Birthplace: Surrey, BC)

 

2015 Senior Development Squad

 

  1. Arif Virjee / Defender / Vancouver, BC
  2. Balraj Panesar / Midfield / Surrey, BC
  3. Brandon Pereira / Defender / Surrey, BC
  4. Harp Virdi / Forward / Vancouver, BC
  5. Kevin Periera / Goalkeeper / Ajax, ON
  6. Manvir Kingra / Defender / Surrey, BC
  7. Sunny Aujla / Defender / Surrey, BC
  8. Vikram Sandhu / Forward / Vancouver, BC
    Arif Virjee
    Arif Virjee
    Balraj Panesar
    Balraj Panesar
    Brandon Pereira
    Brandon Pereira
    Harp Virdi
    Harp Virdi
    Kevin Pereira
    Kevin Pereira
    Manvir Kingra
    Manvir Kingra
    Sunny Aujla
    Sunny Aujla

    Vikram Sandhu
    Vikram Sandhu