Seven Edinburgh University players in Scotland squad

Seven players from The University of Edinburgh have been included in Scotland’s under-21 women’s squad for the EuroHockey Championship II-B in Konya, Turkey.

Three players are from The University of Durham and another trio are from Uddingston Hockey Club with Ellie Rutherford appearing for Michigan State University in North America.

Chris Duncan, Scotland’s senior women’s hockey coach, who is travelling with the party, said there is a lot at stake as the winning squad qualifies for the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup next year. The venue has not yet been confirmed.

Scotland travel at the weekend for the tournament which takes place from July 16 to 20 and this is a chance to make Scottish Hockey history.

It is nearly two decades since Scotland under-21 women last qualified for the Junior World Cup – 2005 to be exact – and qualification would guarantee Scotland’s third appearance in the women’s world cup.

Ukraine will be Scotland’s first opponents in the qualifying group of the tournament on Day One followed only 24-hours later by Poland before they play hosts Turkey on 19 July. The crossover matches to determined the finishing place are on July 20.

SCOTLAND: Maddie Boyes, Molly Morris, Ava Wadsworth (University of Durham), Katie Brett, Ava Findlay, Neave Halliday, Zara Kennedy, Kirsten Murison, Connie Roxburgh, Ava Smith (The University of Edinburgh), Cara Falconer (Guildford HC), Keira Foster, Mhairi Low (Loughborough University), Lexie McMillan, Anna McWilliams, Caterina Nelli (Uddingston HC), Jess Mitchell (St Andrews University), Ellie Rutherford (Michigan State University)

PICTURE: Chris Duncan coaching at Peffermill and he travels to Turkey with the women’s under-21 squad. Picture Nigel Duncan