It was a daunting but exciting experience to captain the Scottish Squad in the first ever IFWHA World Tournament in 1975. The previous selection process, very much outdated, was changed mainly due to the monumental efforts of Marie Weir, the Scottish Women’s coach. The squad comprised seven senior players, and the remaining eight players with an average of four caps each, had little or no experience of international hockey. So much had to be addressed.
The entire squad worked tirelessly to come together as one, and with family, friends and many members of the Scottish hockey community raised thousands of pounds to finance training trips to Europe, in an effort to better prepare the squad to face the continental style of play and umpiring.
Although the squad was announced at the end of March, we had a rest at the end of the season, before embarking on a training weekend in Holland in April, and a similar venture to Germany in June. We were preparing to play seven international matches in ten days.
Isobel Flint, Anne Wilson, Anne MacLeod, Elan Borrowman, Rae Nicholson (Captain), Margaret Brown, Kathleen Haldane, Marietta Craigie, Susan MacVicar
The emphasis on fitness, stamina, improvement in individual technical ability, match play, competing against different styles of play all had to be improved. We had to blend as one, both on and off the pitch. Towards July and August, we played against men, who were much stronger and faster, and also played a different style of hockey. In August, we had a few days together in Craigflower, a boys’ prep school in Fife, where we worked on consolidating all aspects of our preparation.
We had done our best in readiness to perform on the biggest stage of our lives – to play in front of home support in Edinburgh.
All self-funded, whilst holding down full time jobs!
Squad members: Barbara Bell, Elan Borrowman, Margaret Brown, Marietta Craigie, Isobel Flint, Kay Francis, Elaine Graham, Kathleen Haldane, Gillian McIntyre, Anne MacLeod, Susan MacVicar, Rae Nicholson (captain), Jinty Stewart, Anne Wilson. Manager – Jennifer Cochrane
There is no greater sporting honour than representing Scotland. How proud I was as captain and flag bearer, to lead out our Scottish Women’s Hockey Team at the Opening Ceremony of the IFWHA tournament at Meadowbank Stadium in August 1975. This was the first ever women’s World Hockey Tournament to be played in Scotland, and we had the privilege of playing in the opening match against Canada.
All of our hard work and training stood us in good stead as we realised our potential and recorded an excellent win, 5-0. Over the next ten days we had highs and lows, as, regrettably, we did not qualify to play in the section competing for top honours. After winning our initial section, we lost to Argentina by one penalty goal in a cross over match. A hard pill to swallow. We were seeded tenth, and our final placing was ninth. When it really mattered, as a team, we were not strong enough.
However, the experience of being part of such a well organised event was amazing and friendships were made that last to this day.
We fully enjoyed the social side of the event, and I hope the young players of today have the opportunity to experience what the 1975 squad did.
Rae Nicholson, Scottish Captain
