BECKY SLATER made her debut on the international stage last week when she was selected to play for the Wales under-25 hockey side.
The JCG student, playing at left-half rather than her more accustomed inside-forward or striking role, started the first of two matches against Russia and held her own throughout despite not being used to the left-half role.
The Russian senior team, on the last stop of their UK tour, were very fit and well organised and although Wales took their time to settle, they kept Russia at bay until the second half. Gradually, however, the greater speed, fitness and teamwork of the Russian side paid dividends and they ran out 3-0 winners.
In the second game Slater came on after 20 minutes and played with growing confidence as the Welsh side were holding Russia to a 2-2 draw well into the second half before two late goals brought a 4-2 victory for the visitors.
Her coach at Quackers, Shelagh Herbert, said: ‘Becky was the youngest in the squad and has learned a lot, both from playing in a different position and from the support and encouragement of the other players and the management team.’
On Sunday several Scottish players joined the Welsh squad for a training day for the Great Britain Super League (GBSL) and to complete the Celtic Panthers squad - a side for which Slater was selected. The 18-year-old, who is also an outstanding athlete, particularly at javelin, will now play at Peffermill, Edinburgh, on 26 and 27 April in the second and final weekend of the league.
Herbert said: ‘The GBSL is to showcase players, coaches, umpires and officials who have the ability and aptitude to participate in future Olympic Games. In the immediate future, this includes next year’s Australian Youth Olympics and the London Olympics in 2012.
‘Becky really enjoyed herself and is now looking forward to Edinburgh at the end of this month. She will also be visiting Wales several times in the next few months as part of the Welsh U21 squad, training for the U21 Celtic Cup in June and the Euro hockey tournament in Prague at the end of July.’
Article posted on 19th April, 2008 - 12.00am
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