Record breaking World Cup event
East Kilbride was well represented, on and off the pitch, at the recent Exin Masters World Cup in Terrassa, near Barcelona.
Believed to be the biggest hockey tournament ever staged, the competition saw 25 nations and more than 2400 players aged over 35 compete in a variety of age groups.
EK Hockey Club’s Gale Black and Sally Hall represented Scotland on the pitch in the over 60s and over 40s respectively – with Gale winning a bronze medal – while EK resident Linda Barry served as team manager for the 40s squad and well-known umpire Iain McKay served as tournament director.
Being of a certain vintage meant Gale represented Scotland in the Grand Masters World Cup, which took place near the Nou Camp football stadium.
The 59-year-old staff nurse faced The Netherlands, Argentina and England in the group stages and following a 0-0 draw with the Dutch, Scotland fell to a 2-1 defeat against Argentina and a 5-0 loss to rivals England.
However, the Scots faced the Dutch again in the bronze medal play-off and, just when it looked like the game was going to end in stalemate, Scotland won a short corner and scored with the very last action of the match to snatch bronze.
“It was a great feeling to win the medal,” said Gale, “I was really happy with our results.
“We may be slightly older, but we were still there to win and we get frustrated if people aren’t doing what they’re supposed to.
“We were still very competitive and it’s great to be in the company of great players.”
Although unable to match Gale’s medal-winning feat, Strathaven resident Sally Hall was delighted to get her first Scotland call up at the age of 42.
Terrassa was where Team GB won bronze in the 1992 Olympics and Sally had the opportunity to rub shoulders with Alison Ramsay and Wendy Justice, both of whom were part of that medalwinning squad.
“It was a real inspiration seeing these players, and others in the older age groups, playing with such passion and commitment,” said Sally.
“I never thought at this age that I’d be pulling on a Scotland strip, but it was an honour to represent my country and I loved lining up against some of the best hockey nations in the world.”
To make the team Sally had to commit to a fitness programme, attend extensive training sessions and be part of an 18-strong squad assembled from all over Scotland. Thanks to a grant from East Kilbride Sports Council, Sally was able to attend the Home Nations tournament in Swansea, Wales.
Sally, who has been at EKHC since her teens, travelled to Spain in late July with further financial help from the East Kilbride International Sports Trust.
In Terrassa, the defender started all three group matches. Despite a good performance against Germany, Scotland lost their first match 3-0 before a strong Irish side also racked up a 3-0 win.
Sally suffered a facial injury in a 5-1 defeat to The Netherland and missed Scotland’s 8-0 battering of Belarus in the next match.
She returned as a midfield substitute against Wales in the Olympic Stadium, winning 2-0.
Scotland concluded the tournament with a 1-1 draw against France as Scotland finished 13th out of 16 in the 40s section.
And Sally says the experience has given her new-found enthusiasm.
“For me one of the best aspects was being coached by some of the best,” she insisted.
“Meeting and being part of a team with players from all over Scotland has been really great.
“I’m looking forward to sharing a lot of things I learned back at EK – not just tactical, but preparing for games, analysing performance and taking the positives.
“What Gale achieved with her team was brilliant and the support I have had from team-mates at EK was muchapprecaited.”
For more information on the Masters programme visit https://www.scottishhockey.org.uk/participation/play/ masters-hockey.