The UBC Thunderbirds have a healthy contingent of 13 athletes and three coaches, all but one in that group representing Canada across six different sports at the FISU Summer Universiade in Naples, Italy beginning today through July 14. The Opening Ceremonies goes Wednesday July, 3 at 12:00 p.m. PT (9:00 p.m. local time) at San Paolo Stadium celebrating the 30^th edition and 60^th anniversary of the World University Summer Games returning to its first home, where it was originally held in Turin, Italy in 1969.
 
The competition will feature over 9,300 athletes from 128 countries and Canada full delegation including T-Birds totals over 300 student-athletes, coaches, staff and medical personnel.
 
The list of T-Birds competing overseas includes third-year standout distance runner Kieran Lumb who just over a month ago topped the podium in the men's 5000-meter final to help the 'Birds men's team claim the NAIA outdoor track and field national championship in Gulf Shores, Alabama.


 
On the basketball front, third-year forward Keylyn Filewich represents the 'Birds in Italy fresh off being named a first team Canada West all-star while also recognized with the honor as a U SPORTS second team all Canadian. Filewich averaged the highest field goal percentage in Canada West and finished the season averaging a double double with 18 points and 10 rebounds per game.
 
"I'm extremely excited for what's to come," said Filewich. "A lot of firsts will be taking place, the first time representing my country, first time leaving North America, the list goes on. Playing for the national team has always been the ultimate goal, so this doesn't even feel real to me yet. I've been dreaming about this for a long time. Basketball in Canada at the world stage is growing fast and more elite, and I'm eager to be a part of it with a talented group of girls." 


 
Filewich won't be going through all those exciting experiences on her own as she'll be joined by T-Birds women's basketball assistant coach Carrie Watts who assumes assistant coaching and team managing duties for Canada at the tournament. Watts is no stranger to representing her country having played for Canada's senior national team between 2005 and 2007.


 
"I feel incredibly honored to have been selected to coach at the 2019 Summer Universiade and look forward to representing Canada and UBC in Naples," said Watts who's spent the past 13 seasons patrolling the T-Birds sidelines. "This will be my first experience with the University Games and it will be a great opportunity to play against some strong international competition and be exposed to the different styles of play from around the world. I am excited to share this experience with Keylyn and see her success at UBC translate to the international game, and feel fortunate to get to work alongside Michele Belanger and Theresa Burns, two of the most successful and respected coaches in U SPORTS. We have selected a strong group of U SPORTS athletes from across the country and are looking forward to getting the team together to continue to build on Team Canada's success at previous Summer Universiades."


 
Staying on the hardwood, second-year Thunderbird Grant Shephard represents Canada for a third straight summer in international competition after helping the red and white capture the silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth games in Gold Coast, Australia last year. The previous summer Shephard aided Canada's U19 men's national team to a 2017 World Cup victory in Cairo, Egypt, giving Canada its first-ever gold medal at an international FIBA competition. The Kelowna native was recognized as a second-team Canada West all-star this season.


 
Elsewhere it's second-year T-Birds women's rugby 7's team member Delaney Aikens representing her country on the pitch while UBC assistant coach Darcy Patterson fills the same role for Canada.


 
Seven members of the impressive T-Birds swimming team that have just come off a sweep of the men's and women's swimming national championship titles for a third consecutive year, have been tapped on the shoulder from their country. They include third-year swimmers Ingrid Wilm, Megan Dalke, Olivia Ellard and Hillary Metcalfe, along with second-year Jaren LeFranc and first-year Dmittriy Lim.


 
Of note, Hoi Lam Karen Tam of the 'Birds women's swimming team will be representing Hong Kong at the games.
 
Overseeing those familiar faces will be Thunderbirds assistant swimming coach Derrick Schoof who is Canada's head swimming coach in Italy, in charge of 32 athletes divided evenly between male and female competitors. The UBC Hall of Famer has a wealth of experience in coaching on the international stage which includes being on the coaching staff for three previous World Universiade Games.


 
"I'm very excited about the opportunity," said the Vancouver native. "This will be my fourth FISU Games and my main goal is for these athletes to compete and get lifetime personal best times and performances. It's a great opportunity to get these athletes prepared to make future national teams."
 
Rounding out UBC's competitors includes business students Angelo Au and David Lin aiming to top the podium in table tennis.
 
Two-time U SPORTS men's basketball player Kadre Gray of the Laurentian Voyageurs will carry the Maple Leaf into today's Opening Ceremony at 12:00 p.m. PT while live streaming coverage will be available on olympicchannel.com and FISU.TV.
 
Canada finished in 16^th at the 2017 FISU Summer Universiade in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei with 13 medals (four gold, five silver, four bronze).