Scotland women’s squad named for Nations Cup in Chile
The Scotland women’s squad has been announced to compete at the upcoming FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile, from 23 February until 2 March.
The selected squad has 18 athletes, one travelling reserve, and two non-travelling reserves.
The participating teams include some of the best hockey nations in the world, with two of them, Japan and the USA, having played at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The tournament will see Scotland feature alongside Canada; Chile; Ireland; Japan; Korea; New Zealand; and USA.
The annual event offers a top-level competition to the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League.
Head Coach Chris Duncan has named three Captains – Amy Costello, Millie Steiger and Sarah Jamieson, who will lead collectively in Chile, rotating responsibility for wearing the armband throughout the games.
It is the start of a huge year for the Scotland women’s team. This summer on 9-17 August Scotland will compete in the EuroHockey Championship in Monchengladbach, Germany, where they have been drawn in Pool B alongside Belgium; Spain; and England. It’s Scotland women’s third appearance at the tournament in a row, and they qualified after winning the EuroHockey Championship Qualifier in Glasgow last year.
Head Coach Chris Duncan said, “Preparing for such a major tournament at this time of year has certainly brought its challenges, but the players’ commitment to the task has been so admirable. Their dedication through the winter months, and their commitment to training in the early part of January to be in the best position to compete come the Nations Cup has been exceptional. The Nations Cup is an invaluable opportunity for us, playing against international sides based in and around us in the world rankings. To be playing in this tournament for the first time has brought an added layer of excitement, and the selected squad are all really excited to get out to Chile.
“We have been so pleased by the development of so many of our squad over the past two years, who have really bought in to our philosophy and style. This is such an exciting group who will travel to Chile.
“The opposition we will face bring very different styles, which will be a challenge, but we are excited for the challenges ahead.
“We are without our Captain Sarah Robertson, on this trip, as she is unavailable for selection, but whilst we will miss her leadership and performance levels, it also gives the chance for others to step up into leadership roles, and we know that the combination of Amy Costello, Millie Steiger and Sarah Jamieson, who will lead the team as Captains, will do a tremendous job.”
Squad
Amber Murray (Sutton Coldfield)
Amy Costello (HGC)
Ava Findlay (The University of Edinburgh)
Bronwyn Shields (Wimbledon HC)
Charlotte Watson (Beeston HC)
Ellie Mackenzie (Surbiton HC)
Eve Pearson (Bowdon HC)
Fiona Burnet (Club Egara)
Frances Lonergan (Western Wildcats)
Heather McEwan (Royal Victory)
Jennifer Eadie (Clydesdale Western HC)
Jessica Buchanan (Wimbledon HC)
Jessica Ross (The University of Edinburgh)
Katie Birch (Wimbledon HC)
Millie Steiger (Clydesdale Western HC)
Rebecca Birch (Bowdon HC)
Ruth Blaikie (The University of Edinburgh)
Sarah Jamieson (Watsonians HC)
Travelling Reserve: Zara Kennedy
Non-travelling reserves: Ellie Wilson; Ava Wadsworth
Pool fixtures
Sunday 23 Feb
20:00 Ireland v Scotland
Tuesday 25 Feb
18:00 Korea v Scotland
Thursday 27 Feb
18:00 New Zealand v Scotland
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