The Guyana women’s hockey team has undergone final selection to compete in the 2024 PAHF Challenge set for Hamilton, Bermuda, from September 20-28, 2024.
The Challenge is a qualifier for the PAHF Cup, scheduled for Uruguay in 2025 and is Guyana’s only path to qualifying for a World Cup.
Guyana is the lowest ranked competitor in the Challenge and will attempt to overcome huge odds to secure the top spot in the challenge.
Among the six teams competing, Mexico is the highest ranked team listed as #37 in the world, followed by Peru as #41, Brazil at #54, Jamaica at #67, Bermuda at #68 and Guyana at #70.
Guyana last competed in the PAHF Challenge back in 2011 where they finished runners-up to Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Only five players remain from the previous team in goalkeeper Alysa Xavier, Gabriella Xavier, Trisha Woodroffe, Samantha Fernandes and Chantelle Fernandes.
According to National Coach Philip Fernandes, the team is a good mix of youth and experience.
“We lost a few mainstay players from our last national team like sweeper Ulrica Sutherland and midfielder Marzana Fiedtkou, but the young players are highly skilled and are now more mature than they were in our last outing. I expect our team to be very competitive and hopefully pull off a few upsets along the way. Our goal is to finish at the top despite the odds.”
The team faces fast-rising Peru in its opening fixture on September 21. Guyana’s second match is against pre-tournament favourites, Mexico on September 22.
After a one day rest, Guyana comes up against Brazil and Paraguay on September 24 and 25 respectively. The final pool match for Guyana will be against hosts Bermuda on September 27.
Once the pool round is complete, teams are then seeded and participate in placement matches for fifth and sixth, the bronze medal match, and the final, all of which take place on September 28.
The full Guyana team reads:
Goalkeeper: Alysa Xavier
Defenders: Kezia Chinian, Kirsten Gomes, Makeda Harding, Tekeisha Deleon, Trisha Woodroffe
Midfielders: Clayza Bobb, Gabriella Xavier, Madison Fernandes, Sarah Klautky
Strikers: Abosaide Cadogan, Carolyn Deane, Chantelle Fernandes, Makaylah Poole, Princessa Wilkie, Samantha Fernandes
The post Hockey Board confirms female team for PAHF Challenge in Bermuda appeared first on News Room Guyana.
