The Senior Women's National Team is coming off a great start to the summer having won the Gold Medal at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. The next step for them is to qualify for the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro by winning the FIBA Americas Tournament taking place in Edmonton. Leading up to the Americas Tournament we spoke to our SWNT members and they gave us their thoughts on a few things and here's what they had to say. To buy tickets for the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women, click here.

Shona Thorburn shares her memories of the 1995 FIBA Americas

Shona's Profile

I had actually only been in Canada for two years when the 1995 FIBA Olympic qualification tournament landed in my back yard.  Yes the 'Hammer' (Hamilton) was hosting this major women's basketball tournament and I had the opportunity to attend.  I loved basketball but at the age of 13 I really didn’t know that much about our national team.

That summer was a truly eye opening experience for me.  I might have to ask my mother but I am pretty sure after watching Canada qualify in '95, I decided I wanted to play basketball for Canada and go to the Olympics!  Who would have thought 20 years later I would be playing in Canada at the same tournament with an Olympic berth on the line.

I remember it wasn't a typical tournament we have now with two groups and the top teams move onto the semi's and finals. I think everyone played each other once then the top 4 teams moved on.  Like it has always been Cuba was our nemesis.  The Senior Women lost to them in round robin play and sure enough they would meet in the final.

Since I have played for Canada we have always had this gritty, leave-everything-on-the-floor, blue-collar work ethic.  One thing I remember from that 1995 team was that same attitude.  They were down by double digits at half to a team that just beat them a couple days earlier.  I remember the hot humid sweaty (McMaster) gym that had no AC (and still doesn't).  I didn't know much about this level of competition but one thing I do remember is watching Canada come out in the second half and kicking some serious Cuban BUTT!  I didn't even know women could play like that.

One memory that a friend reminded me of was the theme song that always played during Canada's games...Montell Jordan "This Is How We Do It".  Now that I look back on that song I'm not sure it was an appropriate theme song, but it was catchy and hey they 'Did It.'

I hope to follow in that teams footsteps…. And I hope after this amazing summer that another young 13 year old girl who's favourite sport is basketball can also be inspired to follow her dreams and maybe she one day 20 years later will be playing for Canada!

‍