Youngsters’ chance to shine

Scotland’s aspiring internationalists will be in the spotlight at Glasgow Green this weekend, when seven districts will be fielding teams at the Notts Sport Youth Championships, writes our women’s hockey correspondent.

National coaches will also be there on a scouting mission in advance of naming training and development pools in preparation for the next international programme.

After a strong performance for the Scotland U21s in Europe Emily Dark is the Midland U18s stand-out. Kilgraston teammate Catriona Roberts joins her in a squad dominated by Dollar Academy, with Dundee High, Strathallan and Glenalmond major contributors, while Ruth Blaikie (Perth HS) turns out for MJV Wanderers.

With Scotland’s mostcapped player Linda Anderson (formerly Clement) at the helm alongside Lindsay Allan, there’s an air of optimism for improvement on last year’s fourth place.

Meanwhile the new coaching coalition of Jude McMullan and April Wardlaw are also looking to challenge the supremacy of 2016 double winners West.

Following their recent success in in the Midland Schools tournament it’s no surprise that Kilgraston are to the fore with half a dozen listed for the U16s. Strathallan, Dundee High and Dollar are also well represented, with goalkeeper Helena Oldroyd adding St Leonards’ name to the usual suspects.

Five Midland players have also been selected for the combined West/East Midland squad.

Locally, the focus of attention switches from leagues to round 1 of the Midland League Cup, where current form suggests Perthshire II versus Madras and the Dundee derby between Wanderers II and Grove IIIs could be the plum ties. FIXTURES Tomorrow Midland League Cup rd 1: Pool A – Dundee Wanderers II v Grove Menzieshill III (Dalnacraig 3.30pm), Kinross II v St Andrews Univ III (Kinross Astro);PoolB– Monarchsv Brechin Thistles (Dalnacraig 3.30pm), Blairgowrie v Perthshire III (NICC Perth); Pool C – Stirling Univ II v St Andrews Univ IV (Gannochy SC), Perthshire II v Madras (Kilgraston) Notts Sport Youth Championships (Glasgow Green)

U18 (selected matches): Midland v South West (11am), Midland v North (1.25pm)

U16: Pool A – North v West/East/Midland (12.40pm), West/East/Midland v South West (3.05pm), West v West/East/Midland (5.30pm); Pool B – Midland v Highland (11.55am), Midland v South (2.20pm), East v Midland (4.45pm) Sunday U18: Midland v West (9am), Midland v East (10.50am), South v Midland (12.40pm).