Field Hockey Canada is thrilled to have sent out the last of the five Europe-bound youth tours at the end of April. Two U18 Women’s teams traveled to Czechia and Wales and a U18 Men’s team went to Frankfurt, Germany for a set of matches and trainings in April. This week, two more tours (U18 Women and U16 Women) returned from Poznan, Poland with a great international experience under their belt.
The youth tour initiative, as a part of the larger Field Hockey Canada NextGen programming, began in earnest post-COVID when a few teams traveled to the US and Europe to gain valuable international experience. The program has since blossomed into regularly scheduled U18 and U16 tours abroad every spring. With five tours going out this spring, and the likelihood of sending two more in the summer, 2026 marks the greatest number of Canadian youth athletes and coaching experiencing international hockey.
Many players that have come through this system have gone on to compete again in the youth environment, for their provincial teams, university teams, and junior national teams. This pipeline is preparing athletes to have more youth and junior international experience prior to making the jump to senior hockey.
POLAND U18 WOMEN’S TOUR
Our tour in Poland was an incredible experience, and we are extremely grateful to our Polish hosts for their hospitality, professionalism, and kindness throughout the trip. It was a privilege to play in different cities around Poland and to experience the passion and culture surrounding hockey in Poland.
The Canadian Women’s U18 team performed exceptionally well, winning the series while continuing to grow and develop as athletes through every match. The players showed great resilience, adapting and learning against a challenging and competitive Polish side. Many of these moments and experiences will stay with this group for a very long time.
This team was made up of many talented athletes who will undoubtedly go on to represent Canada at the highest levels in the future. What stood out most was the camaraderie, togetherness, and support within the group, especially considering we had only come together shortly before the first game.
The staff in Poland and at home made this tour fantastic and it was a great experience for all those involved!
Results:
Game 1: 4-0 Canada Win
Game 2: 2-1 Canada Win
Game 3: 1-1 Draw
Game 4: 0-0 Draw
Coaching Staff:
Sofia Walia, Kyle Marks, Sharon Welsby, Jadyn Campbell, Hailey Yhap
POLAND U16 WOMEN’S TOUR
This tour has been a great development opportunity for our athletes, with many experiencing international competition for the first time. Across the week in Poland, the group demonstrated significant progression in their understanding and application of key performance behaviours, including professionalism, accountability, communication, and adaptability within a performance environment.
The coaching staff were particularly pleased with how quickly the athletes bought into the team’s tactical systems and playing structures. Through consistent implementation of video analysis sessions, players were able to improve their tactical awareness, decision-making, and understanding of both team and individual roles within our playing systems.
Equally important was the growth of the team culture throughout the tour. In a short period of time, the group developed strong cohesion, trust, and collective standards, which translated into improved on-field performances and stronger connections off the field. The athletes embraced feedback, responded positively to learning opportunities, and showed development across each match and training session.
The progression of the group over the course of the tour was extremely encouraging, and we look forward to continuing to build on these foundations as the athletes further develop within our performance pathway.
Results:
Game 1 2-0 L
Game 2 2-1 L
Game 3 2-0 L
Game 4 1-0 L
Coaching Staff:
Lacey MacLauchlan, Mike Van Iderstine, Jenn Wishart, Freya Jones-Eriksson, Pam Vinoly