Paisley aces called up for Scots squad
Duo are set for European Mixed Team Championships
Paisley pair Adam Hall and Ciara Torrance are among an exciting young team set to represent Scotland at badminton’s European Mixed Team Championships.
Nineteen-year-old Torrance is among three debutants who will turn out in the qualification stage of the competition.
Christopher Grimley and Matthew Grimley will also make their senior squad debuts in Chisinau, Moldova from December 7 to 9, when Scotland face Russia, Ukraine and Moldova in Qualifying Group 2.
They will join established team members Kirsty Gilmour, Julie MacPherson and Eleanor O’Donnell as well as Alex Dunn and Hall in a young team that, with an average age of only 20, is likely to make up the backbone of the Scotland squad for years to come.
Gilmour is the most experienced member of the squad with 34 caps but all five of the established squad members represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games this year and will be able to provide valuable guidance to the newer players.
But although the debutants have not represented Scotland at senior level before, they have plenty of experience to draw from with all three having competed in international tournaments for a number of years.
Commenting on the squad, Keith Russell, Badminton Scotland’s chief executive, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for some of our younger players to start to make a name for themselves at senior level.
“The three players making their debuts have trained regularly as part of the senior national team for quite some time and the more experienced members of the squad such as Kirsty Gilmour and Adam Hall are ideal role models for them to look up to.
“There will be some tough matches to contest, especially against what is likely to be a strong Russian team, but it is a great opportunity for a young squad to gain valuable experience at this level.”
Scotland have been drawn in Group 2 for the qualification stage of the European Mixed Team Championships and will face Ukraine on December 7, Moldova on December 8 and Russia on December 9.
Scotland would have to finish top of the group in order to qualify for the finals of the European Mixed Team Championship to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from February 13 to 17 next year.
The full squad is: Men: Alex Dunn (4 caps, age 20), Christopher Grimley (0 caps, age 18), Matthew Grimley (0 caps, age 18), Adam Hall (13 caps, age 22).
Women: Kirsty Gilmour (34 caps, age 25), Julie MacPherson (11 caps, age 20), Eleanor O’Donnell (8 caps, age 20), Ciara Torrance (0 caps, age 19).