Lottery boost for Men's World Cup hockey qualifier

Saturday 19 May 2001

Scottish Hockey received a boost prior to the Scottish National Cup Finals at Peffermill today with news that they are to receive £85,627.00 from sportscotland's Lottery Fund towards the staging of the prestigious Men's World Cup Hockey Qualifying Event.

"The squad are looking forward to the competition..."

The 12 day tournament being held at the National Hockey Academy, Peffermill in Edinburgh between 17-29 July this year, will feature 16 of the world's leading teams, all battling for the seven remaining places in the World Cup Finals in Malaysia next February.

The tournament will have particular significance for the Scots who must finish ahead of Wales if they are to secure a place in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and join the other 15 sports as part of the Bank of Scotland Scottish Team.

The Scottish Hockey Union feel this event is very significant for two reasons. Firstly, for the development of the Scottish men’s team and their bid the re-establish their position amongst the elite in world hockey. Secondly it provides the opportunity to raise the profile of the National Hockey Academy as a recognised centre for excellence and help to generate greater interest in hockey in Scotland and encourage use of the academy by the wider community.

Colin Grahamslaw, General Manger for the Scottish Hockey Union, said: "We are delighted to be hosting this event as holding major events is recognised as an important part of our remit. The support sportscotland has given us through lottery funding is vital. Without this we would not have been able to hold the tournament."

Announcing the award Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said: "We are delighted to be supporting this World Cup Qualifying tournament. Events of this stature provide a great platform for our athletes to compete on home soil against the best in the world, at the same time stimulating significant interest in the sport at grass roots level. They are also a great opportunity to showcase some of Scotland’s excellent sports facilities and demonstrate the expertise we have in this country when it comes to major event organisation."

Not to be left out, members of Scotland's senior women's hockey squad were also recognised with the announcement of 22 individual Talented Athletes Programme (TAP) athlete awards totalling nearly £201,500.00 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund.

Brent Deans, Performance Manager with the Scottish Hockey Union, said: "We are delighted with the Lottery Award from sportscotland. It will play a major part of the preparation programme towards the World Cup Qualifiers in September.

"The squad are looking forward to the competition and hope to rank in the top six teams, which will put us in the driving seat for the World Cup in Perth 2002."

Taking place in Amienes and Abbeyville in France between 18 to 30 September 2001, the qualifiers will involve sixteen countries including USA, England and India. Currently ranked tenth in the world, a successful Scottish team would qualify to take part in the World Cup in Perth, Australia in 2002.

Ian Robson, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: "The Top Athlete Programme allows athletes the time and opportunity to train, compete and prepare for the future without the distraction of external pressures.

"The Scottish Union Women's Hockey awards contribute significantly to Scotland's ambition to achieve and sustain world class performances in sport."

• The 16 teams competing in the Men's World Cup Hockey Qualifier are: Argentina; Bangladesh, Belgium; Canada; Chile; Egypt; France; India; Japan; Poland; Russia; Scotland; Spain; USA; Wales; Zimbabwe.
• The TAP awards will fund women's team members in preparation for the World Cup Qualifier enabling them to receive coaching, and attend training camps and matches around the world.  A full list of the TAP awards follows below:

sportscotland Lottery Fund

Talented Athlete Programme Awards

May 2001

Women's Hockey

22 awards totalling: £201,498.50