Hockey team prepare for first taste of North District league
Hopes that some games can be played in Shetland
SHETLAND Ladies hockey team will begin their first venture into the North District ladies league this weekend.
The blues face a packed weekend of action, taking on Highland 2s in Inverness on Saturday before facing Aberdeen University 3s on Sunday.
The team have taken the decision to withdraw from the District Cup this season and instead will focus on competing in the league for the first time.
Shetland have won two of the last three District Cups – losing the other final – but coach Derek Leask said the district league would give more players the opportunity to represent Shetland and play competitive hockey throughout the season.
“We’ve had larger numbers competing for places in the Shetland squad in recent years and it can be frustrating as a coach when you can only take 16 players to a cup game,” he said.
“There are a lot of players putting the work in at training who deserve the chance to represent Shetland.
“We’ve had a great few years in the District Cup, reaching four finals and winning two of them is something we’re very proud of.
“But we felt this was the right time to try something different and put our resources into playing a full season of league hockey.”
Shetland already has a pool of around 40 players to pick from, Leask said, and a full league season – with the blues playing two fixtures in two days each time to cut travel costs – will give them a chance to develop the group.
“Trying to condense everything into one squad for a one-off cup tie inevitably limits the opportunities we can give people,” he said.
“Over a full league season we can bring younger players in alongside experienced players, give those who have been knocking on the door their chance and give some of our more experienced players the opportunity to adapt their game and perhaps find a different role in the team.
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“We can try different combinations and give many more players the chance to show what they can do.”
Leask also believes that the league will give his players “a bit more freedom to develop their hockey”.
“In a cup game everything is on the line and one mistake can potentially end your season.
“In the league we can give players opportunities, let them learn and encourage them to express themselves a bit more.
“We’ve shown over the last few years that we can compete successfully in the District Cup.
“Now we want to use league hockey to build a deeper and more experienced group of players.
“Ultimately we believe that will make Shetland hockey stronger and give us more options when it comes to our big fixtures, particularly the inter-county against Orkney.”
He thanked the North District league for welcoming them in, and working with them to allow them to play two games in a weekend.
Leask said this “makes a huge difference for a team travelling from Shetland”.
“We also remain hopeful that one or two of our opponents may be able to make the trip north for their return fixtures,” he added.
“It would be great to bring some league hockey to Shetland and give local supporters the chance to see some of these teams here.”
He also thanked team sponsors NorthLink Ferries and Northwards Transport, saying that without their support all of the travel would not be possible.
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