A SHANDON hockey player has spoken of her delight at being selected to represent Scotland at this summer’s Commonwealth Games after missing out on the Gold Coast squad in 2018.
Fiona Burnet has been chosen as part of an 18-strong group and is bound for Birmingham next month under the leadership of head coach Chris Duncan.
The 25-year-old, who plays for Wimbledon, is one of nine selected players who will be attending their first Commonwealth Games.
She said: “It’s been a bit of a journey over the past four years and it was obviously disappointing not to be included last time round.
“I think I have taken that disappointment and tried to channel it positively into making sure I never miss out on selection again.
Birmingham will be Fiona’s first Commonwealth Games experience
“Obviously I’m the one who has been selected, but it’s been such a group effort and there are so many people who have supported me along the way.
“Going from missing out four years ago to seeing my name on the list this time was just the best feeling.
“It’s probably a relief for my mum and dad as well – I don’t think they could’ve gone through the same thing that happened four years ago.”
Fiona was recently named by Scottish Hockey as one of six key players in a new long-term strategy which aims to help Scotland secure a spot in the top 10 of the world rankings.
She believes the the Games have come at a good time at thinks the squad is in a good place to show what they can do.
Scotland will compete in pool B in Birmingham, facing competition from the reigning champions New Zealand and 2018 runners-up Australia.
Fiona Burnet in action for Scotland against Poland in 2019 (Duncan Gray/Scottish Hockey)
They will also line up against South Africa and Kenya in the pool.
Fiona added: “It’s going to be a massive challenge, but it’s also a huge opportunity.
“They’re obviously really strong teams, but we’ve been training hard and we’re in a good place as a squad.
ave faith that we can pull off some big results.
“This is one of first tournaments as a new, fresh squad under new leadership, so it’ll be really interesting for us to put ourselves out there against some of the top teams and see how we get on.
4 August 2019 at the National Hockey Centre, Glasgow Green. Women's EuroHockey Championship II Pool B match: Scotland v Ukraine
“We can also use this a platform to move forwards in the next few years to where we want to be, which is in the world’s top ten.”
Fiona is not the only Helensburgh native competing at the Games, with Lucy Elliott also flying the flag in the table tennis event.
And it’s far from the first major sporting honour for the Burnet family, with Fiona’s sister Anna having partnered John Gimson to silver in the Nacra 17 sailing event at the 2020 Olympics in Japan last summer.
The Commonwealth Games will run from Thursday, July 28 until Monday, August 8, and will be broadcast by the BBC.
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