Toronto (FIBA Americas Championship for Women) - When Teresa Gabriele ran onto the floor at Sydney Games 11 years ago, Canada's point guard couldn't have known how tough it would be to make it back to the Olympics.

Since competing at the FIBA World Championship for Women last year in the Czech Republic, Gabriele has been thinking of one thing and one thing only.

She wants to help Canada qualify for the London Olympics.

"I was 20 when that happened, and I was so young," Gabriele said.

"It's just a whirlwind when you're there.

"You don't really know until a little bit later how much that means.

"To go again and experience another one, it would be just amazing."

The winner of the FIBA Americas Championship for Women, which is being staged at the Alvaro Sanchez Silva Coliseum in Neiva, Colombia, from September 24 to October 1, will qualify for the London Olympics.

The United States have already clinched a spot in London by virtue of winning last year's world title.

If Canada fail to win in Colombia but finish second, third or fourth, they will be invited to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women and five of those 12 teams will earn a place at the London Games.

Notre Dame's rising sophomore Natalie Achonwa is one of the bright stars of Canada but she will not be available this summer due to academic commitments at her university.

Canada coach Allison McNeill is holding a ‘tryout by invitation camp’ at the University of Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Colombia, this week.

Nine of the players from last year’s side at the FIBA World Championship for Women are at the tryout camp.

A Canada side will then be selected to travel to Europe and play in friendly games from May 27 to June 12.

A second phase of training for Canada will begin at Fraser Valley on July 26 before Canada go on a tour of Asia.

The last training camp will be staged in September.

Canada women's players invited to tryout camp: Teresa Gabriele, Kadie Riverin, Lizanne Murphy, Kim Smith, Tamara Tatham, Alisha Tatham, Janelle Bekkering, Chelsea Aubry, Krista Phillips, Courtnay Pilypaitis, Leanne Evans, Kendel Ross, Megan Pinske, Kelsey Hodgson, Shona Thorburn, Kalisha Keane, Diana Lee, Michele Plouffe and Katherine Plouffe.

FIBA