2018 Scotland Development Squad Announced | |
01 March 2018 The Women’s Camanachd Association has confirmed this year’s Scotland senior development squad for the trip to London to take on the British camogie select on Saturday 14 April 2018. The selection criteria for the development squad is that players cannot have participated in the 2017 international squad. It therefore allows anyone who missed out last year, either because they were unavailable or just below the level to be selected, the opportunity to be seen in a squad in a competitive setting. Women’s Camanachd Association President Lisa McColl explains, “The WCA sat down to address the issue of representative shinty and player pathways above club level for all age categories. The aim was to create a suitable number of development opportunities that look not just player development but also at introducing and up-skilling coaches interested in taking their coaching to a next level. “At U14 level, there is opportunities for girls to play in mixed club teams, women's development and league teams. But, with increasing numbers coming out of primary school age groups etc., there was a need to look at opportunities above club level. “The first rung on the representative ladder is the new U14 North v South representative squad which proved very popular last October. At U18 / U21 level, the WCA recognised that North v South shinty was not working and therefore decided to think outside the box. “These players can play mixed club shinty at U17 level and play with their women's club team but there wasn’t an opportunity for those showing potential to play above club level.” McColl went on to explain the measures that have been introduced to fill the gap saying, “The WCA has introduced an U18 elite development section for selected players. From this, they will have the opportunity to play as a squad against the senior development squad and then be selected for an U18 Scotland Squad. “At senior level, there are plenty of opportunities to play women's club shinty. The next step on the ladder is the senior North v South representative matches which is always a very successful and keenly contested affair. “After this, there is the full Scotland squad. However with a massively increasing number of players in this category, it has now become very difficult for players to break into this squad. We felt there was a need to bridge the gap between club shinty and the full Scotland squad to allow more players exposure to the coaching and experience of playing with players of a similar ability, hence the introduction of the Scotland senior development squad. “The players now have the opportunity to address any skill and fitness gap with a goal to strive for the next rung on the ladder later that season or indeed in future years. “Both the senior development squad and the U18 squad therefore address the gap we identified in our current player pathway. The new format also allows us to bring in coaches who can be supported and up-skilled as part of the process.” Scotland Development Squad from: Elizabeth MacGregor. Hazel Hunter, Donna MacKenzie, Joanne Gillanders, Christy MacIntyre, Hanna Dougan, Mairi Stewart, Lucy MacMillan, Nicola MacSween, Zoe Smith, Katie Booth, Grace Drummond, Ilana Paterson, Sarah Corrigall, Elaine Wink, Missy Cameron, Aoife Tangney, Isabelle Law Reserves from: Katy Minard, Jenna Jackson, Shaina Archibald, Joanne Ford, Sarah Jane Ferguson |