Girls
The second trial day for the East and North of Scotland Girls UK School Games squad for 2011 took place at Linlithgow on Saturday 11th June.
22 players presented themselves for training and potential selection. They came from all over the East Coast From Aberdeen and Banchory in the North through Carnoustie and Craigmount and Queensferry in Edinburgh down to Peebles in the South and as far west as Carluke. Overall we will have seen about 40 girls at the first two national sessions and the two Aberdeen sessions.
The standard on Saturday was exceptionally good. It is not the most experienced group of players but it is extremely talented and we have great hopes already that it will acquit itself well at the games.
On the day , we did some basic work on the dig, volley and smash but for much of the afternoon we played matches using the system that will be used in the games itself. The players coped well and the understanding of the system was good. As usual the application was tremendous from all the participants and the experienced players in the group helped immensely in the running of the session and in assimilating the newer faces in to the group.
There is still a last chance for new faces to work with the players in this group and maybe make their way in to the UKSG’s squad at the last training session on Sunday 19th June ( the selection day for the squad ). So if you haven’t yet made your way to a training day please turn up on Sunday and enjoy working with some of the best young players in Scotland.
The session is once again at Linlithgow Academy but this time runs from 9.00am to 2.00pm – 19th June. Players should be born on or after 01/09/1994.
Head Coach to N & E UKSG’s Squad
Vince Krawczyk
Boys
27 boys participated in the 2nd trial in Linlithgow, eager to place their bid for the 12 places up for grabs at the 2011 UK School Games in Sheffield.
In the morning the squad working on block – defence positioning and counter-attack timing, with all players pushing the limits of their abilities. The boys benefitted from lots of coaching input with coaches Cook (senior), Cree and Fairbairn asking their teams to reach higher levels of performance, along with Scotland internationalist Cook (junior) coming along to lend the benefit of his experience.
The 3rd and final trial on Sunday 19th at Linlithgow from 9am – 2pm will be the last chance for those players who have already attended to make a final impression. For any players who have not attended the trials, it is not too late – you can attend the 3rd and final trial this Sunday!!
Only 12 players can go forward and represent Scotland East & North Boys at the 2011 UKSG, but all 27 boys have a very bright and promising volleyball career ahead of them.
Ian Brownlee
Head Coach, Scotland East & North Boys