Two local female Junior Solway Sharks ice hockey players are delighted to hear they have been selected for the Great Britain Women Under 16s Ice Hockey squad recently.
Netminder Rebekah Scott and Megan Gourlay both play in Solway Sharks Juniors teams, and were thrilled to be selected. Along with female players from all over the country they attended a series of selection trials, vying for a place in the newly-formed squad. The Under 16s squad has been set up as a means of identifying players who may be suitable for GB Women teams earlier in their playing careers.
The girls worked hard at the trials, keen to display what they are capable of, and are delighted that their efforts have paid off. They will now attend a hockey camp in Sheffield in May, and are looking forward to experiencing the next stage of the process.
Solway coach Jamie Kerr commented, “The girls have done well this season in terms of improving their game. They have both contributed to their age group team’s success alongside the boys. Bex stands up to some powerful shots from bigger, older and stronger lads without fear, and Megan is improving week on week in only her first season.
In recent years the GB national programme has come on in massive strides to compete with the better hockey nations around the globe, and this has seen both the men’s and women’s junior and senior teams advance in the IIHF rankings. The new national U16 girls set up gives the selected players the chance to push on – alongside the skills and attributes they pick up here with their club this increases their chances of achieving their full potential to go on and represent their country at the highest level. And for those that aren’t quite hitting their mark to make the team squad, the programme has committed to running a national development squad to give girls a chance to push themselves if their development is slightly slower. Both the Solway girls will gain a positive impact and experience from this opportunity.”
Solway Sharks Juniors Chairman Graeme Houston said, “Everyone at the club is delighted for Rebekah and Megan, they have both put in a lot of effort on and off the ice to make the GB squad, and it is gratifying to see their commitment and hard work paying off. We all wish them every success going forward.”
