The Scottish Hockey Union is celebrating a pound;639,000 windfall from SportScotland to improve the quality of the game. Much of the money will go into the grassroots programme to strengthen hockey’s grip in schools.
Currently 83 secondary and 36 primary schools are affiliated and 35 junior clubs are playing hockey regularly. Scottish hockey is working closely with the Active Schools programme to increase those numbers.
One target this year is to start an under-16 introduction to international playing as part of the player improvement programme.
On the field, Lochaber High became only the second state school to lift the Scottish Under-18 Schoolboys’ Cup when it beat George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. It is a considerable achievement for a school in an area dominated by shinty.
The game finished 2-2, with Yan Adams (penalty) and Euan Tregaskis scoring the goals. The tie was decided on penalties, with Lochaber High goalkeeper Barnaby Barber making the difference by saving two.
The team was coached by Neil Adams, the principal teacher of geography, and three players from Lochaber Hockey Club.
