John given Scots call for School Games

Perth’s John Stephen has been selected for Scotland’s 2018 School Games hockey squad.

The national multi-sport event for the UK’s most talented school-age athletes is taking place at Loughborough University.

Action got underway this week with the spectacle coming to a close on Sunday, September 2.

John (17), who plays his club hockey with Grove Menzieshill in Dundee, recently turned out for Scotland under-18s at the European Championships.

At the School Games, over 1400 athletes will compete across 11 sports, five of which include disability disciplines.

John will be following in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars who have competed at the event.

Previous competitors include Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock.

And also Olympic champion Adam Peaty, heptathlete Katarina JohnsonThompson and sprinter Adam Gemili.

John will live in a dedicated athletes’ village on the Loughborough University campus and perform in front of large crowds.

Competing in the event is beneficial for the development of young sport stars believes Ali Oliver, chief executive officer of the Youth Sport Trust.

“The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes like John,”he explained.

“Competitors get a real taste of what it’s like to be part of a world-class sporting event at the amazing sporting venues of Loughborough University.

“The event is a great way to see our future sporting champions in action today.”