Scots under 21s at GBSL

GREAT BRITAIN SUPER LEAGUE – LILLIESHALL

The annual Great Britain Super League in Lillieshall
will provide Graham Moodie, newly appointed head coach to the
Scotland men`s under 21 squad, with his first chance to cast an eye
over the squad in a competitive environment.

Normally the GBSL event involves part of the selection process
for senior international players, but with the Olympics only a few
months away GB coach Jason Lee already has his training squad well
established for the London Games.   Consequently this
year`s GBSL event will focus on under 21 level with a view to Rio
de Janeiro in four years time and beyond.

“For me the GBSL is an opportunity to see all the players in the
under 21 squad, 24 players in all will play over the two weekends
and this means we have two very different teams going down each
weekend.  I will be able to see how the players get on under
pressure against some very good opposition,” said Moodie.

As well as future Olympic hopefuls, Moodie is looking to groom a
successful squad for the European Junior Nations Championships in
Den Bosch this summer where the Scots youngsters are up against
powerhouse nations like Belgium, Germany and Spain in the pool
competition.

“I expect the English teams will have the majority of their
under 21 squad for the Europeans, and it`ll be a good benchmark to
see where we are compared to one of the top four teams in
Europe.”

With the GBSL`s continued fixation about big cats, the Scots
will play under the name Caledonian Cougars, and on Saturday they
take on English side Pennine Pumas and the following day play the
Welsh outfit Celtic Panthers.

Moodie sees the GBSL as part of an ongoing selection
process.  “In terms of selection for the Europeans, every
game, training session and fitness test is an opportunity for the
players to work hard and show me how much they want to play for
Scotland, and this weekend will be no different.”

But there is another carrot for the Scots youngsters to impress,
this time Great Britain selectors as a junior GB squad will be
going to Australia in January of next year.

Some of the young Scots travelling to Lillieshall this weekend
have already made their mark in the national league this season,
none more so than the Grange trio of Fraser Sands, Duncan Riddell
and Matt Connor, but also Inverleith`s Chris Duncan and Ross
Jamieson, Craig Falconer of Grove Menzieshill along with the
Clydesdale quartet of Aiden Black, Gregor Hirst, Michael McKenzie
and Peter Baldwin.

The women`s junior squad also travel to the same venue to play
the same teams, but coach Dave Stott does not see the results of
prime importance.

“The GBSL is not about results at this stage, merely about
getting our processes in place.   This is the first
opportunity since our training camp last October to play some
competitive games and we will try to cover some aims and objectives
over the two weekends,” Stott said.

Stott is also preparing his charges for European competition,
two years ago the Scots youngsters were relegated and the target is
to achieve promotion back to Europe`s top flight.

“The GBSL will be used as a selection tool, the final European
squad will bedecided in mid May,” remarked Stott.

The Scots youngsters travel to Anapa in search of promotion and
play hosts Russia, Czech Republic and Wales in their pool.

Some players have pulled out of the programme while another
couple have long term injuries, but included are Ali Howie, Sarah
Robertson, Heather Elder and Nicola Skrastin who are currently also
involved with the senior squad.   The majority of the
squad for this weekend are drawn from top clubs, champions Grove
Menzieshill, Milne Craig Western and Edinburgh University.

Caledonian Cougars

Men

Tom O’Kelly, Christian McKenna, Stuart Allan (both AAM
Gordonians), Blair Fotheringham (Durham City), Aiden Black, Gregor
Hurst, Michael McKenzie, Peter Baldwin, Scott Lyndsay (all
Clydesdale), Ross McIntyre, Michael Bremner, Alan Forsyth (all
Glynhill Hotel Kelburne), Fraser Sands, Duncan Riddell, Adam Walker
(all Grange), Alistair Irvine, Craig Falconer (Grove Menzieshill),
Matt McIntyre (AMN Hillhead), Ross Jamieson, Chris Duncan (both
Inverleith), Gareth Davies (Exeter University), George Scott
(Durham University).

Women

Nicki Cochrane, Kerry Hall, Hazel Hall, Louise Campbell (all
Grove Menzieshill), Alison Howie, Nicola Skrastin (both Clydesdale
Western), Sarah Robertson, Kirsty Hill, Bethan Mann (all Edinburgh
University), Siobhan Cowie (Granite City Wanderers), Rachel
Malcolm, Robyn Collins (both Loughborough University), Alex Wilson,
Lucy Lanigan (both Giffnock), Nikki Mollison (Durham), Jenny Morris
(GHK), Stephanie McInally (Glynhill Hotel Kelburne).

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