2 University of Calgary athletes among many Canadians stranded in South Africa
Field hockey players Melanie Scholz and Tayler Guy not only play for the University of Calgary, but they were also both selected to be on Team Canada for the 2021 Women's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Hailing from Calgary, this would be Scholz's second time playing for the junior national team after they secured gold at the 2021 Pan American Games.
"Our team for the world cup is a lot different than for Pan Am," Scholz said, "We had six players that aged out so it was a new wave of younger players that were stepping up into the role."
For Victoria-native Guy, she was one of those younger players heading to her first tournament with the Canadian junior team.
"I was over the moon," she said, "We were just overjoyed we got the opportunity to represent Canada and go to the biggest world stage for junior field hockey."
For Victoria-native Guy, she was one of those younger players heading to her first tournament with the Canadian junior team.
The team headed to South Africa on Nov. 21, gearing up for their first game on Dec. 6 against Uruguay.
"We had been setting up all our different plays and memorizing them," said Guy, "It was all looking really good, and we were getting really excited, then everything just fell apart."
Just days after landing, news of the Omicron coronavirus variant triggered bans on travel from select African nations, including South Africa. The world cup was put on hold, and Field Hockey Canada was looking for ways to bring the team home.
With no direct flight options back to Canada, the team would have to connect elsewhere, but all European Union nations had placed a ban on foreign nationals arriving from South Africa.
"We weren't allowed to transit through the European countries. So we're allowed to go to Canada, but we would have to walk," Scholz chuckled.
After continuous discussions with the Canadian government, Field Hockey Canada said it may have come to a solution that allows the team to be considered "in transit" through Germany.
In a statement, the organization said:
"Field Hockey Canada has confirmed flights through Germany to our home destinations on December 8th. We understand the situation is fluid and things can change quickly. So as of now, that's the information we have, but we also know things can change in either direction very quickly. So, we're remaining optimistic that this will be the case and looking forward to the athletes and staff traveling home on the 8th. As far as we currently understand, we are allowed to transit through Germany. We are working with German, South African and Canadian government to ensure their safe return. Field Hockey Canada continues to review if there is an opportunity for earlier options."
"It was really comforting to know that they were taking care of us," said Guy.
Team Canada women's field hockey team, Dec 2, 2021
MAKING THE MOST OF IT
Until then, the team is making the most of their situation.
"Being in South Africa in a centralized training environment is really good for us," said Scholz, "It's a unique opportunity so we're just going to take advantage of the time we have together."
"We're preparing for the hopeful rescheduling of the world cup," added Guy, "But it's definitely difficult to be training this hard without a set date."
Not to mention the fundraising efforts gone to waste.
"We're self-funded," Guy said, "We raised a really great amount of money and our communities rallied around us to send us here."
The team is keeping its spirits up though, and hopeful they'll make it back home in time for Christmas.
Global Affairs Canada confirmed in a statement it is receiving reports of Canadians abroad affected by the new travel restrictions. It adds:
"Canada is consulting with our partners and allies to address the situation faced by Canadians in South Africa.Canada is prioritizing the health and safety of all Canadians by continuing to take a risk-based and measured approach to its entry requirements.
"The Government of Canada publishes travel advice that takes into account safety conditions abroad to help travelers make informed decisions about their travel destinations. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the individual. Further information on travel advice and advisories can be found on the Global Affairs Canada website.
"Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance abroad can contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre 24/7 by phone at+1 613 996 8885, by email at sos@international.gc.ca or by SMS at+1-613-686-3658.
"Canadian travellers should register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and follow @TravelGoC on social media to get the latest updates."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.