Paisley Daily Express

New coach in place but Kareena is still the captain

Scotland prepare for new era with home-nations clash in Wales

- Craig Ritchie

Paisley’s Kareena Cuthbert will lead a new-look Scotland hockey side after being called up to face Wales in Cardiff.

Cuthbert, who captained the women’s side at the Gold Coast Commonweal­th Games earlier this year, will be in action for new head coach Jen Wilson’s first matches at the helm.

Wilson replaced former Kelburne head coach Gordon Shepherd in the wake of the competitio­n Down Under in April.

The series will be played at the Hockey Wales National Centre, with today’s clash pushing back at 1pm.

South African triple Olympian Jen Wilson was appointed as head coach in July before starting the role formally last month to kick start an exciting new era for women’s hockey in Scotland.

There’s a big year ahead for Scotland women which will see them play at the Hockey Series Finals before competing on home soil in Women’s EuroHockey Championsh­ip II.

Wilson said: “We will be travelling with a large squad of 30 players to Wales.

“Not all the players will gain an internatio­nal cap, however those who have done well so far, or historical­ly, will feature.

“The Wales training camp will also give me an opportunit­y to see players that I haven’t seen yet.

“We have a large squad of 40 players at present and all of the players have leaped into our new format of training with real intent and profession­alism, which has been exciting to see.

“I am extremely grateful for our support staff team from the Scottish Institute of Sport, along with our new hub coaches who must also be commended with a vast array of staff making significan­t contributi­ons to our new programme already.”

 ??  ?? Cardiff-bound Kareena Cuthbert, middle, will captain Scotland
Cardiff-bound Kareena Cuthbert, middle, will captain Scotland

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