Seven players from Newfoundland and Labrador helped Team Canada make history by winning the inaugural Under-16 Women’s World Ball Hockey Championship, defeating Slovakia 2-1 in the gold-medal game on July 5.
Aleah Philpott, Avery Strong, Anna Seymour, Adrienne Shannahan, Aubree Bartlett, Jorja Smith and Paityn Williams were all part of the Canadian squad that claimed the world title at the first-ever U16 championship organized by the International Street and Ball Hockey Federation.
Canada avenged an earlier tournament loss to Slovakia by securing the victory when it mattered most.
“It was just an unreal experience. Once in a lifetime,” said 14-year-old Jorja Smith of Chapel Arm.
Many of the players only began competing in girls’ ball hockey within the past year after growing up playing ice hockey. Their performances at the national championships earned them spots on Team Canada’s roster.
“It was super cool to experience that with our friends,” said Anna Seymour of St. John’s.
For Aleah Philpott, who has played ball hockey for more than five years, the championship reflects the rapid growth of the sport in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“There was never really a girls’ team because there wasn’t enough of us,” Philpott said. “It’s so cool how we grew together and got to celebrate together.”
The seven athletes are now back in Newfoundland and Labrador only briefly before heading to New Brunswick, where they will represent their home province at the national championships.
The players say they hope the historic world title is just the beginning of more opportunities to wear the Canadian jersey and continue growing the sport in the province.
