Surrey, BC earns right to host Junior Pan Ams next summer
Field Hockey Canada is excited to announce Surrey, BC will be the official location of the 2024 Junior Pan American Championship.
The tournament was previously hosted in Canada in 2016, in Toronto, and has subsequently been hosted in Chile and Barbados. This is the second time that Canada will play host in the history of the event.
The tournament will take place in June at Tamanawis Park in Surrey, BC. The tournament will feature the junior women’s and men’s division over eight days in July. Canada will be among the favourites in the tournament, along with Argentina, Chile and USA.
Chief Executive Officer of Field Hockey Canada, Susan Ahrens, said that regularly hosting international hockey is a part of Field Hockey Canada’s strategic plan and that many months of hard work has gone into this bid, and more hard work is on the way.
“The benefits of bringing international hockey to Canada are many, foremost in mind of course is the added thrill for our athletes and officials to play international games on home turf in front of family and friends. It also enables more people within the community to see hockey at its very highest levels,” Ahrens said. “With annual international hosting part of our strategic intent, this event marks a fresh start for Field Hockey Canada hosting international events.”
The Junior Women’s Team is coming off a gold medal in 2021 and a fourth-place finish in 2023, qualifying for back-to-back Junior World Cups. The Canadian Junior Men’s side has earned the silver medal in three of the last four Junior Pan American Championships including 2023 in Bridgetown, Barbados. Both the men’s and women’s teams will be attending their respective 2023 Junior World Cups in December.
Both Canadian junior teams qualified for the 2023 Junior World Cup. Photos/Rodrigo Jaramillo
Pan American Hockey Federation President Alberto “coco” Budeisky said he is excited to bring the best of the Pan Americas to Surrey, BC, for an incredible week of hockey.
“On behalf of the Pan American Hockey Federation, I am delighted to express our utmost appreciation and excitement for Canada as the host of the upcoming Junior Pan American Championships,” Budeisky said. “This tournament brings together young field hockey players from across the Americas. Canada has a rich history of supporting and promoting field hockey, and we are confident that their expertise and dedication will create an unforgettable experience for players, coaches, and fans alike.”
The tournament will be hosted at Tamanawis Park in Surrey, BC with the support of the City of Surrey, India Hockey Club and Dashmesh Field Hockey Club. Ahrens is thrilled to bring international hockey to Surrey and delighted with the club partners in the region.
“We are delighted to build on our existing partnership with India Club and Dashmesh Field Hockey Clubs to bring the Junior Pan American Championship to Canada. The two-field facility at Tamanawis is a fantastic venue, and our community will ensure this event is delivered to the highest standards. It promises to be a memorable experience for all involved,” Ahrens said.
Field Hockey Canada will be working closely with the provincial organization and partners across the BC mainland over the coming months to build value around this continental championship and in to order to create a festival like atmosphere for the benefit of the whole community. This celebration of hockey in June 2024 will include a Hall of Fame and other celebratory events, with more details to come as the event draws closer.
