Borderers called up to represent Scotland at hockey at home nations school games
Four Borderers have been selected to represent Scotland at hockey this weekend at 2026’s UK School Games, being held south of the border in Leicestershire.
Toby Anderson, Fraser Banks, Rachel Elliot and Kay Sinton, products of the region’s Fjordhus Reivers and Kelso hockey clubs, have been called up to compete at the Loughborough University event from this Thursday to Sunday after impressing at this year’s Scottish Hockey Brave Cup, held in Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh in August.
They won’t be the only Borderers there either as Ancrum’s Janet Jack, a former Great Britain internationalist and current lead coach at Scottish Hockey’s Brave Academy South hub, will be coaching Scotland’s under-18 girls’ squad as they take on teams from England, Wales and Northern Ireland at a tournament intended as a stepping stone from school-level competition to international selection.
Her team play Ulster this Thursday at 3.30pm, the Welsh at 4.30pm the day after and their hosts at the same time on Saturday.
Scotland’s under-18 boys play Wales this Friday at 11am, England on Saturday at 1.30pm and Ulster at noon on Sunday.
All six of those matches can be watched via live-stream over the weekend at https://www.youtube.com/@youthsporttrust
Jack is chuffed to bits to be accompanying Anderson, Banks, Elliot and Sinton as they fly the flag for their home region, saying: “I am delighted to see our young Borders players step up to represent Scottish schools on such a prestigious stage.
“Having a dedicated Scottish Hockey programme here in the region has been instrumental in nurturing local talent, providing our young athletes with a clear pathway to thrive.
“Seeing Toby, Fraser, Rachel and Kay reach the UK School Games is a testament to their hard work and the strength of grass-roots hockey in the South.”