Scotland withdraws from boys’ and girls’ EuroHockey U18 Championships in Valencia

Scottish Hockey has decided to withdraw its teams from the upcoming boys’ and girls’ EuroHockey U18 Championships in Valencia, Spain. EuroHockey has however confirmed the 2023 U18 EuroHockey Championships will be a 10 team tournament with no relegation this year, and with the top two from EuroHockey Championship II added for 2023.

At this time Scottish Hockey is sadly not able to commit to sending a team to Valencia given the current information available, and restriction levels. We feel we would be exposing our young athletes to an unnecessary risk, and placing a significant additional level of pressure and responsibility on a limited number of support staff.

Current Scottish and UK Government guidance advises against travel to Spain for all but essential purposes, and without the “elite exemption” granted to our senior high performance programmes, this activity would be deemed as leisure purposes and not recommended.

While Spain remains on the UK amber list for travel, we would be required to self-isolate for 10 days on return to Scotland, which poses additional problems due to other commitments for a number of players and support staff.

The obvious health risks presented by a positive test for Covid-19 at the tournament, along with the additional issues involved in the 10 day isolation process in Spain (potentially for players who may still legally be children) is of significant concern to us.

Scottish Hockey’s performance staff have been working hard in the background with our partners at England Hockey; Hockey Wales; and Hockey Ireland on plans to stage a 4-nations development series with all matches being played within the UK. Details will follow on the format of the tournament and venues for the matches once plans are finalised.

Scottish Hockey’s Head of Performance, Andy Tennant, said, “Clearly we are disappointed to not be sending our teams to Spain, however given current government guidance and putting athletes and support staff first, I am convinced we have made the right decision.

“We are also pleased that despite the tournament going ahead, EHF have taken the sensible decision to stage a 10-team tournament in 2023. This means no one will be relegated from A Division this year.”

He added, “As stated earlier we are working closely with our partners in the rest of GB and Ireland who are in the same position, to ensure our best athletes at under 18/19 level have the opportunity to access high quality competitive opportunities within our own islands this summer.”

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