The countdown to the 2027 Canada Winter Games is officially on — and for Ontario’s top young squash athletes, the journey starts now.
Every two years, the Canada Games spotlight the best emerging athletes from across the country. It’s more than just a competition — it’s a stepping stone for future national team athletes, a chance to represent your province on one of Canada’s biggest multi-sport stages, and an unforgettable experience both on and off the court.
With the Games returning to Quebec — the birthplace of the Canada Games — for the first time since 1967, the 2027 edition promises to be something special. Squash Ontario is proud to begin identifying the athletes who will represent Team Ontario in this premier event.
What is Canada Winter Games?
The Canada Games Council has named Québec as the official Host city of the 2027 Canada Winter Games, marking a return to the birthplace of the Canada Games 60 years after the inaugural event held in 1967. From February 27 - March 14, the province of Quebec will host the Canada Games. This event brings together over 3000 athletes, managers and coaches across 20 different sports, making it the largest multi-sport event in the Country. Squash players will compete in a 4-player team event (boys and girls divisions) against other Province/Territories, with two boys and two girls also competing in the individual draw.
Squad Selection Criteria:
This preliminary squad has been selected based on clublocker rankings as of December 31st , 2025. Please note that players who are not initially named to the squad are still eligible to make the final team if they meet all event requirements.
Age Eligibility:
To be eligible to make Team Ontario, you must have a birthdate that falls under the following:
Under 17 as of March 14, 2027
Date of birth March 15, 2010 or later
Final team will have minimum 2 females & 2 males from this division
Under 19 as of March 14, 2027
Date of birth: March 15, 2008 or later
Final team can have up to 2 females & 2 males from this division
Announcing the CWG 2027 Squash Ontario Squad
Coaches:
Nicole Pirko
Cory McCartney
U17:
Obie Ryding
Arman Takmazyan
Yianni Theodoropoulos
David Lee
Dev Nariman
Sasha Lee
Shirley Chen
Lauren Kerr
Zara Khalil
Lyvia Han
U19:
Kent Rawlins
Shaan Jolly
Jack Chen
Beckett Yuzpe
Navin Kerr
Zoe Chong
Olivia Bolger
Hasti Shemirani
Melody Farhang Nia
CANADA WINTER GAMES TEAM SELECTION POLICY CHANGES
Selection criteria:
The Junior Advisory Committee will select final team of 8 players based on the following criteria:
Clublocker rating
NJC points
Head-to-head results
NJC points will serve as the tiebreaker should the difference in clublocker rating be less than 0.05
Tournament requirements: The following tournaments must be played
Ontario Junior Open 2026
Junior Gold#1 2026
Junior Gold #2 2026
Ontario Junior Closed 2026
Exemption Notice:
If an athlete is attending a post-secondary institution as a full-time student in the Fall of 2026, they may request an exemption for participating in two of the following events: Gold #1 and Gold #2 or the 2026 Ontario Junior Closed.
- Should an exemption be granted, post-secondary full-time students must play one of the following events:
Junior Gold#1 2026
Junior Gold #2 2026
Ontario Junior Closed 2026