Baxter retires from the International scene

Grove Menzieshill’s Louise Baxter has announced her retirement
from International hockey following Scotland’s successful Gold
Medal performance in the EuroHockey Nations Championship in Poznan,
Poland last month.

Louise Baxter

Baxter, known affectionately in domestic hockey circles as Munn
(maiden name), has thought long and hard about this emotional
decision reflecting “I found it increasingly difficult to balance
the demands of a new job with International  training and
travel commitments.” Baxter recently  joined the staff at
Kilgraston School in Perthshire as Head of Physical Education 
where the Director of Sport is Pauline Stott who has also
represented her country at hockey (123caps) and indeed captained
Great Britain at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Baxter is quick to acknowledge the support of the school and
also that of previous employers Edinburgh’s St George’s. However
she feels  it is time for her to devote her full attention not
only  to her career but also to family with Mum, Christine,
and husband, Mark, being of great support over the years.

The 27 year old Grove midfielder made her International debut in
2003 at a Four Nations tournament in Vancouver under coach Mike
Gilbert  whist at that time representing  the Grange
Edinburgh Ladies club.

The last eight years have brought a total of 114 caps (also five
Great Britain appearances) under coaches Gilbert, Lesley Hobley,
Keith Joss and the present incumbent Gordon Shepherd, all of whom
have recognised her commitment, passion and pride in representing
Scotland.

 “Munn” went on to say “It was definitely more difficult to
walk away from a team that are performing so well and consistently
winning against higher ranked nations but then again it’s nice to
finish on a high.”

A long International career has seen her compete at four
Europeans, two Wold Cup Qualifiers ,Champions Challenge and the
last two Commonwealth Games. Medal highlights being two European
Gold, one World  Silver and a Bronze at the recent Challenge
in Dublin.

Baxter continued “I’ll without doubt miss the banter and
friendship. I have grown up through the age groups with in
particular Catriona Ralph and Vikki Bunce and have played for a
number of years with a group of others.”

“Munn” will continue to play her club hockey with Grove where
she has also enjoyed considerable success and finished by saying
“I’ll be following the team’s progress and I have no doubt that
this team will continue to be even more successful in the coming
seasons. I wish all the players and management all the best for the
future.”

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