Big Week

Things don't get much bigger than this upcoming week for both Canada's men's and women's field hockey teams. Both teams are fighting for their Olympic lives at the upcoming Olympic qualification tournament in India. The 6 team tournament kicks off on February 18 and last for 7 days with the finals on February 25, 2012. Unfortunately only one team (both men and women) will earn a birth in the Olympic Games and from first appearances both the men's and women's teams will be in tough.

The men's team enters the tournament ranked 14th in the world; A look at the schedule shows that Canada has a good chance of playing in the final but if they are to earn a ticket to London they will have to find a way will have to find a way to top one of the premiers nations in the world in India. Hopes are not as high on the women's side, however, a short tournament such as the Olympic Qualifier can produce some upsets.

For those keeping score at home Canada has qualified one Olympic team to the 2012 Olympic Games (that being Canada's Women's soccer team) to date. In 2008, Canada qualified four Olympic teams to the Games (Men's Field Hockey, Men's Water Polo, Women's Softball, and Women's Soccer). Let the results show that Canada will be hard pressed to equal its performance from 2008 in qualifying four teams, and this becomes even more apparent when we consider that Softball is no longer a part of the Olympic Games. Regardless, Heatstroke will be cheering for Canada and its team orientated athletes right through to the final whistle, commencing with action this coming weekend.

Lets hope that our Field Hockey Teams can follow the path laid down by the Canadian Women's Soccer Team who earned a ticket to the Games a few short weeks ago. Go Canada Go

That was Interesting

Heatstroke had an interesting day. For the first time, Heatstroke received a phone call from the head of a sports organization regarding the accuracy of an article. The individual in question was Lorraine Lafreniere - Director General of Canoe Kayak Canada who questioned the accuracy of a blog written on October 25, 2009.

The blog itself questions Canoe Kayak Canada's hiring of Lafreniere to replace the outgoing Anne Merklinger. Merklinger you see was the standard bearer in how one should run a sports organization. The organization had won 5 Olympic medals from 2004 through to 2008, with the creation of a development system that was the envy of many in Canada's sports community. Meanwhile, Lafreniere despite having been employed in amateur sport for 15+ years had yet to lead an able body NSO to the Olympic podium. Furthermore, her employment in sports had largely been restricted to the area of marketing. Interesting enough under Merklinger's leadership Canoe Kayak Canada qualified 18 athletes for the 2008 Olympics. As for Lafreniere? Canada has qualified only 8 athletes for the 2012 Games despite having benefited from millions of dollars in sports funding from Own the Podium.

Article aside, one has to question what Lafreniere is doing? Heatstroke doubts that Bill Bellichick - arguably the best coach in the National Football League (NFL) - is calling bloggers who question his decisions. Similarly - is Brian Burke GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs calling bloggers who question his trades? Or how about Stephen Harper - Prime Minister of Canada - is he calling bloggers who question his trade policy? Likely not.

Since day one Heatstroke has simply asked that Canada's amateur sports community professionalize itself. Lafreniere's actions - confirmed that despite overseeing one of Canada's most successful amateur sports organization she is in fact truly amateur. Ms. Lafreniere maybe it is time that you read the book!