Sarah Jamieson retires from international hockey

Scotland forward Sarah Jamieson has announced her retirement from international hockey after an outstanding decade in the Scotland shirt, bringing a successful career to a close on the biggest stage of all.

After 120 Scotland caps and 24 international goals, Jamieson leaves the international game having represented her country at two Commonwealth Games, five EuroHockey Championships, an FIH Nations Cup and the 2026 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup.

Most fittingly, her final chapter came during Scotland’s historic return to the World Cup in 2026 – their first appearance at the tournament in 24 years. Scotland went on to finish 12th in the world after victories over Ireland and New Zealand, giving Jamieson a fitting finale to a career that has been defined by commitment, resilience and a deep pride for representing her country.

For Jamieson, the decision to retire is one made entirely on her own terms.

“I’ve had an amazing run and I feel very lucky to have had 10, largely uninterrupted, years in the squad without any major injuries or pressure to stop early due to my legal career. I always hoped I would be able to finish up on my own terms, and with a little bit left in the tank when the right timing came along.

“When the opportunity to get us back to a World Cup lined up with 10 years in the squad it felt like a fitting time to aim for my retirement, and I feel like I’ve paid my service to the squad and enjoyed every experience possible in the shirt.”

Wavre – 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands (W)
37 New Zealand v Scotland (Pool H)
Picture: Sarah Jamieson Player of Scotland battles for possession with Riana Pho Player of New Zealand
COPYRIGHT WORLDSPORTPICS / Rodrigo Jaramillo
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It has been a remarkable journey for a player whose Senior Scotland career began with a phone call from then Head Coach Gordon Shepherd inviting her to a training session in May 2016.

Jamieson was making a name for herself at Grove Menzieshill, with teammates already involved in the Scotland set-up talking up the young forward. Shepherd took notice and invited her into the national programme.

“I remember sitting in the car before that first training session wondering if I was making a mistake!” she recalled. Having been out of any Scotland squads since age group level, around four years prior it was a big step heading back into National training.

“However, I made it out of the car and I loved the first session, everyone was so welcoming and it was onwards and upwards from there.

“After a couple of sessions the conversation came up about permanently joining the squad it was a big decision to make. My dad, who got me into hockey and is always a good sounding board,  reminded me I had nothing to lose, as long as I still kept my career outside of hockey in mind, so I went for it, and here we are 10 years later!”

Jamieson’s debut came quickly against Spain a month later in Alicante, in a 3-0 defeat, but the occasion was unforgettable.

“It was a crazy week. It was the week I also graduated from Dundee University Law School and I had to leave my Grad Ball in Dundee at 1am to drive to Glasgow to catch my flight. I’d been called up to the squad late and it was a whirlwind.

“I don’t remember too much from the game other than just running around in boiling heat!”

From there, the caps came quickly. Jamieson established herself in the Scotland squad and earned selection for the 2017 World League Semi-Finals in Brussels – her first major senior tournament. She had missed out on the previous round and was determined to ensure she would not miss another opportunity.

“I wanted to make sure there was no reason that I wouldn’t be selected after missing out in the January, so to make the squad for my first tournament was surreal. The tournament was a massive experience for me. We played the Dutch in the first game and it was certainly a tough welcome to the international scene, but I loved it and was keen for more”.

Jamieson’s first Scotland goal followed in a test series against France at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, before she headed to the EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam in 2017.

Press Eye – Belfast – Northern Ireland – 13th June 2019
FIH WomenÕs Series Finals Banbridge 2019
Game: Scotland Vs Czech Republic.
Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye .

Then came her first Commonwealth Games. Jamieson’s selection for Gold Coast 2018 was a major milestone. After finishing her Legal Diploma, she took a year away from further study/training to concentrate on hockey and threw herself into the intense selection process.

The Scotland squad spent three weeks in Gran Canaria during a demanding selection camp.

“It was intense. We were there for three weeks training and playing matches every day and I remember everyone doing everything they could to make sure they got a spot in the team. It’s a camp we all still talk about to this day.

“When we got home and the squad was announced a few days later it was unbelievable. I remember being at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and I had no idea that four years later I’d be on the team list for the 2018 games.

“The whole experience was surreal but amazing.”

Scotland finished seventh in Gold Coast, competing against New Zealand, Canada, Ghana, Malaysia and hosts Australia. For Jamieson, though, the experience was about much more than the final placing.

“I was in Australia for six weeks in total. We had the most amazing holding camp with Team Scotland on the Sunshine Coast, before heading to the Gold Coast village, which was just unbelievable. I was then able to visit friends and family in Australia for a couple of weeks afterwards, so it was an unreal trip to be a part of, it’s been one that’s been hard to beat.

“I remember warming up on the pitch for the Australia game and just thinking how crazy it all was that I was there having not been in the squad just a couple of years before. The atmosphere was incredible.”

A highlight of Jamieson’s international career came a year later.

The 2019 EuroHockey Championship II in Glasgow saw Scotland produce a perfect tournament, winning every match to claim gold and secure promotion back to the top level of European hockey.

Jamieson played a key role in that success, scoring in the final against Italy when she deflected Bex Condie’s effort past the goalkeeper to give Scotland an early lead.

“The tournament in Glasgow is up there with the best for me.

“We got relegated two years previous and we were determined to perform at our best. We knew we had some tricky defensive teams to play against but everything just went so well.

“We were playing well and having the best time doing it. There’s a special place for that tournament amongst all that I’ve played in. I’d also just returned from a season playing in Germany, at Munchner Sport Club in Munich, which had prepared me perfectly to help Scotland back to the A-Division

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted international sport, but Jamieson returned to the European stage at the 2021 EuroHockey Championships in Amsterdam. Scotland had earned their place back in the top tier following the 2019 success in Glasgow.

A year later came a second Commonwealth Games, this time in Birmingham.

Scotland finished sixth, with Jamieson scoring twice during the tournament.

Her experience was very different from Gold Coast.

“I ended up in the ‘Covid hotel’ after testing positive on arrival. I spent five days in the Holiday Inn with my meals being delivered on a tray and security on every floor. So it was a very nerve -wracking time not knowing if I was going to make it back in time for our first game, which was devastating at the time’

“Luckily, I was eventually given the clear they got me straight into the village, but  I had just a couple of days to adjust before going into the first game, which wasn’t ideal but I was just so relieved to be back with the team.

“The New Zealand result was a sore one, as we had a controversial goal disallowed. We played well in Birmingham until the last game, as well when we lost a bit of momentum. But overall, we were satisfied and felt we were going in the right direction.”

Sarah Jamieson, Scotland v Kenya, 1/8/22
Photos: Mark Pugh

The years following Birmingham saw Scotland build towards something special.

At the FIH Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile, in February and March 2025, Jamieson was one of three players selected to share the captaincy with Amy Costello and Millie Steiger. Scotland finished fifth, with Jamieson scoring against Canada and Korea in the tournament.

“Chile was another amazing trip and captaining the team was special. I felt our performance definitely sent us off on the trajectory towards qualifying for the World Cup.

“We’d started beating teams ranked higher than us. We took a lot of confidence and pride in that and I think that really helped us to believe we should be competing at tournaments such as the World Cup.”

Then came Hyderabad. At the 2026 FIH World Cup Qualifiers, Scotland finished third to secure qualification for the World Cup for the first time since 2002. The achievement represented the culmination of years of work from generations of Scottish players, coaches, clubs and support staff.

And Jamieson was there for the historic moment.

A few months later in August 2026, Sarah Jamieson walked out in a Scotland shirt at the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup. Twenty-four years after Scotland’s previous appearance, the Tartan Hearts were back on hockey’s biggest stage. Jamieson played as Scotland competed against Germany, USA and Argentina before entering the classification phase.

Scotland secured memorable victories over Ireland and New Zealand before eventually finishing 12th following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Japan.

For Jamieson, it was a fitting way to bring the curtain down.

“The World Cup was amazing. It’s hard to properly reflect on the tournament now as it’s so soon after, but I’m proud of our performances and more proud to have been part of getting us there and putting on a show of what Scottish Hockey is about.

“It’s not quite sunk in what playing at the World Cup represents to people. It is tricky to summarise, but I just hope we have inspired younger players to aim high and push on to being part of the squad in the future.”

And perhaps that is the most fitting legacy of all.

From a nervous young player sitting in her car before her first Scotland training session, to a senior international who helped lead Scotland to the World Cup, Jamieson’s journey has been one that the next generation can look to for inspiration.

Now comes the next chapter. ‘I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with friends and family, who have been so patient and supportive. I have a lot I want to do and a busy career as a Private Client Solicitor, so I also have goals to achieve with my job that I need more energy for! And of course, I will continue to play with WHC as I’m not quite ready to hang up my stick entirely!’

Jamieson is quick to recognise the many people who helped make her international career possible – from her early days at Inverleith Hockey Club in Edinburgh and then on to Grove Menzieshill and Dundee University, then returning from Germany to Watsonians HC she owes much to these clubs for their support. As well as too her family, teammates, coaches and everyone who supported her along the way. Not to mention her colleagues at TC Young Solicitors who have joined in with supporting the squad over the years, once famously got the bus from Glasgow to Birmingham to support!

“I particularly want to thank all the Grove Menzieshill players who I was lucky to play with when I move to Dundee in 2012. The team was full of Scotland players at the time, as well as being lead by coach Charlotte Jones and they inspired and pushed me on and I have no doubt they made a huge impact on my path into the squad. My Dundee University teammates also pushed hard too to get me recognised and into the squad!

I have been so lucky to play with such amazing people in all my years playing hockey, who often have backed me more than I’ve backed myself so I really wouldn’t have done what I have without all of their support.

“I want to particularly thank my family for being so supportive – my dad was the one who got me into hockey and has been my biggest fan throughout, without ever pushing me towards it. None of this would have happened without him and my mum of course taking us to train for all those years.

“Thank you to all Scottish Institute staff who have been key to keeping me physically and mentally fit. Especially the S&C coaches keeping me motivated on dark early gym mornings over the years! They’ve always gone above and beyond for us.

“I have to also say a massive thank you to all the Scotland players I have played with throughout my career.  I have met so many amazing people and made friends for life. I can’t wait to see what the remaining squad members will go on to achieve, and I will be cheering them on all the way. I inherited my number 17 shirt from Nikki Kidd, and I told her I would look after it so I’m excited to see who will be the next no.17!”

Sarah Jamieson leaves international hockey with 120 Scotland caps, 24 goals, two Commonwealth Games appearances, five EuroHockey Championships, a EuroHockey Championship II gold medal, an FIH Nations Cup campaign, and a place in Scottish hockey history as part of the team that returned to the World Cup in 2026.

Most importantly, she leaves having given a decade of service to Scotland and having helped inspire the next generation to dream a little bigger.

Everyone at Scottish Hockey would like to thank Sarah for her outstanding contribution to the Scotland Women’s National Team and wish her every success for the next chapter.

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