South Africa tour gives Scots opportunity to plan for the future
Scotland Senior Women have travelled to sunnier climes in the southern hemisphere for a ten day training camp and international matches against South Africa, India and Germany.
The squad will be based in Stellenbosch, South Africa and Head Coach Gordon Shepherd has a clear focus for this trip; blooding new players at senior international level and providing them with exposure to competition against the World’s top sides.
“We go to South Africa with a clear focus on player development and giving younger players the opportunity to gain experience against three of the world’s top hockey nations”, said Shepherd.
“If you consider that the average cap tally at the Commonwealth Games under two years ago was 110, compared to an average cap tally of 22 for this trip, it is clear that the squad is inexperienced at this level.
“However, I am excited by the prospect of bringing new players into the squad and look forward to seeing them test themselves against the quality of the opposition that we will be up against. It gives players the opportunity to demonstrate ability at this level and start making a case for future inclusion for international matches and competitions between now and next year.
“Of course, the trip also has a training camp focus to it, so the extended time away gives us the chance to have quality contact time with the players and work on a number of different areas.”
Six of the 23-strong squad will make their debut for the senior side in an outdoor international, including goalkeeper Jayne McLaughlin, school pupils Amy Costello and Charlotte Watson, Kate Holmes, Claire Hill and Heather Howie.
Moreover, only five of the group that played in the EuroHockey Nations Championship in London last summer will feature; Becky Merchant, Becky Ward, Nicki Skrastin, Nikki Lloyd and Susan McGilveray.
The matches against South Africa carry full test-match status, while the India (2) and Germany (1) encounters will be treated as friendlies.
The first match against the host nation will take place on Wednesday.
Scotland Senior Women: Jennifer Eadie (Clydesdale Western), Lucy Camlin (Edinburgh University), Amy Costello (CALA Edinburgh), Emily Newlands (Watsonians), Rebecca Ward (Dundee Wanderers), Heather Lang (Clydesdale Western), Katie Robertson (Grove Menzieshill), Charlotte Watson (Dundee Wanderers), Karin Belch (Grove Menzieshill), Rebecca Merchant (Edinburgh University), Claire Hill (Edinburgh University), Susan McGilveray (Clydesdale Western), Nicola Lloyd (Wimbledon), Millie Brown (Clydesdale Western), Heather Howie (Clydesdale Western), Nicola Skrastin (Mannheimer), Kate Holmes (Clifton), Robyn Collins (Surbiton), Fiona Burnet (Clifton), Rebecca Condie (University of Birmingham), Jayne McLaughlin (Western Wildcats), Emma McGregor (CALA Edinburgh), Siobhan Cowie (Merlins Gordonians)
Tour Details
24 Feb 1800 South Africa
25 Feb 1800 India
27 Feb 1600 South Africa
28 Feb 1600 South Africa
01 Mar 1800 India
02 Mar 1800 Germany
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