Sky’s the limit after debut performance
A 17-year-old student from Armadale made her debut for the women’s Scotland under-18 rugby squad – facing off against both Italy and Wales at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
Sky Phimister, who previously played with Livingston Rugby Club, was picked up for the Scotland squad in January this year, impressing scouts over two trial sessions.
The young woman, who is currently sitting her exams at Armadale Academy, played as a winger in the 26-player squad for the under18s women’s festival.
Sky said: “I’ve been playing rugby for five years now and I absolutely love it.
“It’s been so special being picked for the Scotland squad. I went to a two/three hour trial in January, and then the next day a six hour trial. A few days later they let me know I was in the Scotland squad!
“I’ve spent the last few months at training camps, getting together with the rest of the squad who were picked from all over the country.
Sky was one of 12 backs at the festival hosted by Scottish Rugby on the back pitches of Murrayfield and the DAM Health Stadium in Edinburgh.
This was the first ever under-18 women’s festival, co-ordinated by 6 Nations, which ran in conjunction with the men’s event in France.
On April 9 Sky played two 35-minute games for Scotland, played out with 25-minute breaks in between them – facing off against Wales and Italy.
Scotland unfortunately lost to Wales and drew against Italy.
Scotland then faced off against Italy for a second time on April 13 – this time fulllength 70 minute matches – in which Scotland walked away victorious.
Sky said: “The best game we played was the full game against Italy on the 13th – I played 63 minutes in total which was a lot more than I expected. I even ended up with two tries.
“The first one was really special to me, we all worked together as a team to make that try so I’m happy that it was my first.
“Then on the second try it was an interception, I had no idea that was going to happen but it did!
Sheila Tett, Sky’s mum, added: “Sky intercepted a pass from the other team – giving her full clearance to run down threequarters of the pitch on her own with the full Italian side chasing her.
“As a parent I’m very, very proud of Sky. That was such a proud moment for me as a mum.”
Sky continues to train with the Scotland squad twice a week at Murrayfield and will play rugby for Corstorphine Cougars over the summer before joining Stirling County when she starts Stirling University in September.
The rugby prodigy will also referee for Armadale Academy’s inter-school touchrugby tournament this summer in her role as the school’s sports ambassador.