GB Women’s international Beth Scoon fears her participation with the national team is under threat due to the coronavirus conditions.
Scoon, who plays for Kingston Diamonds in the WNIHL Elite League and trains with university side Caledonia Steel Queens in Edinburgh, where she works, is restricted by what she can do to train and prepare for the try-outs for the team in December.
And, speaking to The Scotsman newspaper, she spoke of how the restrictions have prevented her from training including the closure of Murrayfield Ice Rink due to the financial hardship they’re under.
“The rink in Murrayfield is key to my training, and it is such a shame that it is not viable for them to open due to the strain of the current restrictions,” she said.
Beth hasn’t been able to train at Murrayfield due to lockdown and its current closure (PHOTO: Nigel Duncan)
“We have try-outs for the GB team in December and it is disheartening to see other people in the UK training hard, whereas for me, there is the worry of not making the team because my local rink is closed.
“With Murrayfield unable to open, I have been trying to find ice time further afield, but it is difficult to come by a regular slot and I only got on the ice – in Kirkcaldy – for the first time since March two weeks ago.”
Scoon, who has played 30 games in the World Championships for GB, feels the restrictions have put her at a disadvantage when it comes to trying to make the team for the World Championships in 2021.
She works as a clinical scientist for the NHS after graduating from Edinburgh University so Murrayfield suits her for training, but says she can only do so much away from the ice, for which she has to make do.
Beth has been involved with the GB Women’s team since 2014 (PHOTO: Karl Denham)
“I rely on ice time at Murrayfield through the week to keep my skills and fitness sharp in preparation for domestic and international competition,” she added.
“This year the Great Britain Women’s team are due to travel to South Korea and Spain to compete in Winter Olympics qualification and World Championships tournaments respectively.
“I train in the gym to maintain my strength and conditioning, but nothing compares to being out on the ice playing hockey in preparation for these tournaments.”
