The Scotland Women’s National team were preparing extremely hard up to Xmas 2018 
in preparation for an international tournament due to take place in Europe before the New Year. Regrettably the event was cancelled but all the work put in will not go to waste as the squad has a full and exciting set of fixtures to work further towards in the remainder of the 2019 season.
With 3 key figures retiring from international volleyball this year, new captain and vice captains were appointed. The inspirational pairing of Laura McReady (captain) and Carly Murray are set to lead the team in to the challenges ahead.
First up for the squad is a visit from Top English club side Northumbria in Linlithgow Academy on the 20th January,, with a 12.00 match start ( spectators entry free) then the squad will split in to two to take on two Scottish Student select sides in the second this season of a new series of tournaments against this opposition on January 27th at Dundee University. 9.30 to 17.00 (entry free).
February sees a return trip to Northumbria and in March at is hoped that the squad will be invited to return to the Celtic Cup in Ireland against Northern Ireland and Ireland.
April at Easter sees the team looking forward to a trip to Porto san Giorgio in Italy for the third year in a row to play against international sides from across Europe and around the same time the squad may have to play in a Small Nations Euro qualifier.
If all that isn’t enough the season is expected to finish on a real high in May with the Scotland Ladies facing old foes England in Scotland in a match to celebrate the 50th anniversary of these matches.
Lower key but still high quality matches against good US opposition face the team at the Scottish Open in Perth at the end of May.
If the team can make it’s way through the qualifying round the culmination of an incredibly busy season will be the Small Nation’s Finals again near the end of May.
The management and coaching team is now well established with Connie Wiesenfelder and Danny Traylor working very effectively on the day to day coaching, Gail Campbell continuing to provide her strong support as team manager and Sarah Jones our physio keeping the players in one piece and providing physical stats. New recruit Ola will strengthen up our training and match statistics side.
Hopefully, you will be able to follow Scotland Women’s progress across the course of the season and even take the opportunity to see them in action.
Vince Krawczyk
Head Coach to the Scotland Women’s Programme