Scotland Senior Women begin preparations for European competition with Wales matches

Scotland will welcome Wales to Glasgow from 5-7 June for three matches at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre.

Head Coach Gordon Shepherd has selected twenty players for the series of matches, which includes two senior international encounters and a third contest for a Scotland Development/U21 squad to compete in.

With the EuroHockey Nations Championship in London less than three months away, preparations for this important competition are now increasing, with the players back in full-time training in the lead up to the event.

Speaking ahead of the matches against Wales, Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd said, “It’s great to have the players back in full-time training and there is a real buzz around the squad when we have everybody back together.

“The benefits of full-time training are huge; we retained our place in the European Championship two years ago and last year we demonstrated in a number of matches, including the Commonwealth Games, that we have closed the gap on a number of higher ranked nations.

“A number of players will be experiencing this environment for the first time but the players who have been here and done it before will help these individuals adapt and integrate very quickly.”

fu1308172650

(Scotland Senior Women Head Coach Gordon Shepherd looking forward to the challenges ahead this summer)

The Scots are without both Emily Maguire and Sarah Robertson, who continue to train with the Great Britain Women’s squad in preparation for the World League 3 competition taking place in Spain this month.

However, there is potentially a first cap and senior international debut in the offing for Birmingham University’s Rebecca Condie, while a number of other relatively new players will again be given the opportunity to test themselves at international level.

“We knew we would see a number of players retire after the Commonwealth Games, so for the last two years we have invited both U21 and U18 players into the senior set-up to get experience at this level”, said Shepherd.

“Some of these players are now involved fully with the senior squad having experienced recent camps in Germany and Spain, and we have invited another crop of U21 and U18 players to this weekend’s squad too.

“Wales will pose a challenge to us, but we have other objectives to consider as well as the results, including the opportunity to give players game time, for us to try different combinations, and for us to look at new players. Everyone has the opportunity to press home a case for selection for the Europeans this summer.”

Following a number of retirements after last year’s Commonwealth Games, the captaincy will be assumed by Grove Menzieshill’s Leigh Fawcett, with both Nikki Kidd and Vikki Bunce taking on vice-captaincy roles.

South African Olympian and new assistant coach Jen Wilson will also assume her duties in the dug-out for the first time this weekend.

Scotland Senior Women: Aileen Davis (Clifton), Alison Howie, Fiona Bruce, Fiona Burnett, Jennifer Eadie, Millie Brown, Nicki Skrastin, Susan McGilveray (all Clydesdale Western), Amy Gibson (no club), Amy Brodie, Leigh Fawcett (both Grove Menzieshill), Becky Merchant, Emma McGregor, Louise Campbell, Nicki Cochrane (all Edinburgh University), Becky Ward, Vikki Bunce (both Dundee Wanderers), Kareena Marshall (Western Wildcats), Nikki Kidd (Mannheimer), Rebecca Condie (Birmingham University).

Match Schedule

Friday 5 June, 17.00, Scotland Senior Women v Wales, Glasgow National Hockey Centre

Saturday 6 June, 14.00, Scotland Senior Women v Wales, Glasgow National Hockey Centre

Sunday 7 June, 11.00, Scotland Development / U21 v Wales, Glasgow National Hockey Centre

Spectator Entry

Entry for all spectators at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre will be free of charge.

En Croute will be open for the purchase of snacks, teas, coffees, soft drinks and alcohol.

Venue Map

 

Recent posts:

Back to all news
Back to top