Solway Sharks Juniors were delighted to hear that eight of their players have been selected to play for Scotland at various age groups, taking part in competitions as far afield as France and Latvia, as well as the National Conference competition in Sheffield. Lewis Gibson and Kyle Carruth will travel to Lille with the Under 11s team, Lewis Houston and Liam Stenton will travel to Paris with the Under 15s team, and Lewis Chalmers, Kieran Hair, Luke Houston and Ruairi Lockerbie will all travel to Latvia as part of the U17s team.
Club coach Jamie Kerr shared his thoughts on the players who have had Scotland Call-ups;
“Lewis Gibson & Kyle Carruth (u11s). Lewis and Kyle can rightly be proud of their first ever call-ups to the Scottish Conference U11 team. They have both applied great effort to their practices and this is showing in every game. Kyle has great all-round skill for such a young age, as well as doing extra training off the ice, whilst Lewis demonstrates the benefits of being a multi-sport athlete, having developed his game rapidly in this, just his first full season, as he excels in his other sports too.”
“Liam Stenton & Lewis Houston (u15s). Liam and Lewis continue to develop at a rapid rate and lead their Solway teams as well as their country, having been again selected for the Scottish Conference, this time both for the U15 team. With Liam the Scottish U13 captain last season and Lewis currently in the Great Britain U16 team, the pair will be vital players both in Paris and at the conference weekend.”
“Ruairi Lockerbie, Luke Houston, Lewis Chalmers and Kieran Hair (u17). These four boys will bring a multitalented contribution to their Scottish Conference U17 team. Hopefully Ruairi will fully recover from last month’s injury to take his place in the Great Britain u16 team in Madrid at the beginning of April, and then utilise that experience to further his excellent knack of providing chances for teammates. Luke will play a pivotal role in the team’s defence as he persistently does, whilst Lewis Chalmers will look to do what he does best in finding the net. Kieran is the rock of his Solway U16 team which he Captains. He breaks up so many plays in the middle of the ice, and can contribute equally at both ends of the ice.”
“For such a small club it’s amazing to see so many players being recognised nationally and being able to travel abroad, whether it’s France or Latvia, followed by the Sheffield Conference weekend. This is just rewards for the dedication these guys put in on and off the ice.”
In addition to the boys above being selected for Scottish duty, Solway player Stuart Kerr has been called up to the GB Under 18s team for their World Championship competition in Brasov, Romania.
GB Under 18s head coach, Martin Grubb, said, “I am comfortable with bringing in Stuart, took the feedback on-board after the December , and we were very impressed with him in our recent camp and game against Coventry. He fits into the group very well and that is important. He is delighted to be included, and we are happy to have him on board.”
Solway coach Jamie Kerr commented, “This is a fantastic opportunity for Stuart to test his game at an international level by heading to Brasov, Romania to represent Great Britain at the IIHF u18 World Championships. Stuart has been a great prospect from a young age. He made the transition from junior to senior hockey last year as a 16 year old with ease, and is now a mainstay in the Solway Sharks senior set up, also being invited recently to guest for the Elite League’s Braehead Clan. He’s had the unenviable task of having to be selected for GB by Martin (Grubb), who is also his Solway senior coach, so unlike the rest of the squad that only need to impress at trials, he’s had to do it every time he attends his own team practice, which speaks volumes for his constant work rate and performances. I’m sure the whole of the Dumfries ice hockey family will be tuning into the streaming in April to see how he gets on against hosts Romania as well as Lithuania, Croatia, Poland and the Netherlands.”
The girls in the club also have their moment to shine as well, with both Rebekah Scott and Megan Gourlay attending trials for the GB girls Under 16s team in Sheffield recently. The club, and the girls, await the outcome of these trials expectantly.
Solway Sharks Junior Ice Hockey Club has, in recent years, produced (per head) the highest percentage of national team players in the country. In order to maintain or even enhance this quality, the Sharks are seeking new potential talents. In order to try the fastest team sport on the planet, kids should attend Dumfries Ice Bowl (Tel: 01387 251300) and gain a basic grasp of ice skating at either public skating sessions or lessons. This should take very little time before you can then come and try hockey at our Learn to Play sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 4-5pm. Once fundamentals are developed, you will be invited to join your age appropriate squad (u10, u12, u14, u16, u20) to progress your game further and push for a place in the team. Becoming a junior Shark offers many benefits so come give it a go!
Main Photo – Back row, L-R Ruairi Lockerbie, Kieran Hair, Lewis Chalmers, Luke Houston (Scotland U17s)
Middle row Liam Stenton (l), Lewis Houston (U15s), front Kyle Carruth (l) and Lewis Gibson (U11s)
Pic 2: Stuart Kerr as a young 12 year old, and now representing Solway Sharks at senior level as well as nationally with GB programme
