All seven Scottish women’s squads enjoyed three days of competition at the GB&I 4 Nations event recently – making the most of the last time they will all be at the same venue. From next year the competition will be split between different countries depending on age group.
“Masters has got so popular, there’s not many venues that can take the amount of players, officials, matches and spectators,” said Jacky Burnett, President of Scottish Masters Hockey. “But it’s been great to see everyone over the weekened enjoying getting back to meaningful hockey. And, despite the results, it has been brilliant, post-covid, to get back to just playing hockey.”
The GB& I 4 Nations provided the first competitive run out for the W35 and W65 squads, who ‘bookend’ all the other agegroups. Former Scotland internationalist Winifred MacCallum, the oldest outfield player at 75, made her Masters debut. She remarked: “I’d forgotten how good it is to be part of a team that’s playing and getting into it and, to be honest, I enjoyed it more because I wasn’t as nervous. I would encourage anybody to come and play because you can give what you can and it’s really enjoyable.”
The sun shone bright on Friday 17 June at Nottingham Hockey Centre. And it was Scotland’s W60s who posted the most impressive result . They proved too hot to handle for Ireland with an impressive 7-1 win, four goals coming in the first quarter and three in the last.
Saturday was a bad day at the office for most teams, the W60s the pick of the results again, with a 1-1 draw v Wales. On Sunday the W55’s 2-1 victory over Wales was worth celebrating, as was a 3-3 draw for the W45s. Their match with Wales was an exciting watch as both teams went all out for the win.
Over the weekend all seven squads showed great grit and determination and there was evidence of good play, giving coaches a platform to work from as squads prepare for the upcoming World Cups in Nottingham and Cape Town.
Results
W35s finished 4th with three losses
W40s finished 4th with three losses
W45s finished 4th with two losses and one draw
W50s finished 3rd with one win, one draw and one loss
W55 finished 3rd with one win and two losses
W60s finished 2nd with one win, one loss and one draw
W65s finished 4th with two losses and one draw
Thanks to Ali Hosie and Alana Willox for the pics
