Scotland women confirm updated summer programme to maximise preparation for the FIH Hockey World Cup

Scotland’s women’s hockey programme has confirmed an update to its summer plans as preparations intensify ahead of the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup.

Following a comprehensive review of performance priorities, the coaching and performance team have taken the decision not to participate in the FIH Nations Cup, scheduled to take place in Auckland, New Zealand this June. This decision has been made with a singular focus: ensuring the squad receives the best possible preparation for the World Cup.

The programme has emphasised that the decision is rooted firmly in performance considerations. These include the exceptionally tight turnaround between major competitions, the physical and logistical demands of long‑haul travel, and the significant time‑zone adjustments required for a tournament in New Zealand.

In addition, limited player availability in May—due to league commitments, work-related annual leave constraints, and GB programme activity—combined with the demands of a major tournament in June, would require the squad to peak three times within a short period. This is neither realistic nor aligned with best practice performance planning for a national team that doesn’t have a full-time programme.

Collectively, these factors were assessed as having a detrimental impact on optimal preparation, recovery cycles, and long‑term performance planning.

In place of the Nations Cup, a revised and carefully structured summer programme has been developed. This programme provides a more balanced, progressive, build‑up to the World Cup, ensuring that players can prepare in an environment that maximises readiness, supports physical and mental wellbeing, and aligns with the long‑term ambitions of the Scotland women’s performance pathway

Chris Duncan – Head Coach and Programme Lead

“This decision reflects a long‑term, evidence‑based approach to performance planning. Our focus is on creating the conditions that allow athletes to thrive, and the revised programme gives us far greater control over training load, recovery, and competition exposure in the critical months before the World Cup.

“Our athletes are exceptionally resilient and robust, and invest significant time into their performance and preparation as amateurs on top of high-flying academic demands and professional careers. For this, we must consider the person at the core of any decision, and believe this is the right approach for the individuals within our squad. 

“We are confident that this approach will enhance the squad’s readiness and support our ambition to compete strongly against the world’s best. We are grateful to our partners and supporters, whose commitment enables us to make decisions that prioritise performance and athlete wellbeing.”

Scottish Hockey also acknowledges the continued backing of its supporters, partners, and sponsors, whose commitment plays a vital role in enabling high‑performance preparation and international competition. Their support remains central to the programme’s ability to plan effectively and invest in the environments that give athletes the best chance to succeed on the world stage.

With a clear and performance‑driven plan in place, Scotland’s women’s squad remains fully focused on delivering strong, competitive performances as they build towards the World Cup in the months ahead.

 

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