Commonwealth Games Scotland has today announced that both the women’s and men’s hockey squads have qualified for next year’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Scotland has been represented in both men’s and women’s since hockey since it became a sport at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur 1998.

Currently ranked seventh in the Commonwealth nations, the woman’s side secured their invite to Birmingham after a strong performance in the 2022 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup (European Qualifier) in Pisa in October, where they finished third overall.

The men’s side qualified after finishing fifth in the 2022 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup (European Qualifier) in Cardiff and as a result of finishing runner up in the Men’s EuroHockey Championship II in August.

Chris Duncan, Head Coach of Scotland women, said, “We’re really excited to have secured our place in Birmingham this summer. The Commonwealth Games is the kind of competition that everyone looks forward to; from a Scotland perspective it’s the one multi-sport and multi-national competition we can compete in as a nation and we’re really excited by the massive opportunity that lies ahead.

“It’s obviously not a home games like it was in Glasgow 2014, but with the Games being down in Birmingham it almost feels like home as we know our support will travel.

“I’m really humbled to have the opportunity to lead Scotland and I’m excited to get down there. I can’t wait for the whistle to blow in that first game.”

Head Coach of Scotland men Derek Forsyth said, “I’m delighted that our qualification for Birmingham has been confirmed and we’re very much looking forward to the training in the build-up as well as the competition itself. The players worked tremendously hard to qualify and it’s a very young and talented squad who will be vying for selection.

“The Commonwealth Games is a tremendous competition for the team and will be fantastic for everyone to be part of. It’s a great challenge and one we’re looking forward to, but we have a lot of hard work to do as we prepare for the tournament.”

Scotland and Great Britain internationalist Amy Costello was a student at the University of Birmingham, and used to play on the pitch that will be used for the Commonwealth Games. Talking about the opportunity, Amy said, “I’m really excited for Birmingham, it’ll be strange playing on my university pitches.

“Birmingham is a great city; they’ll pull together – similar to Glasgow and Gold Coast – to create a really good atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to it as it’ll be really special for me if I get the opportunity to go.”

Youngster Robbie Croll, who has been part of the men’s squad over the last year, added, “It’s really exciting. We have worked really hard over the last year to qualify so to have it confirmed now is really exciting and I’m really looking forward to the training this summer.

“Obviously I’ve never been in the squad for a Commonwealth Games, so I need to keep working hard and hopefully be in the mix for selection.”

Congratulating the squad on their success, Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission said: “Huge congratulations to everyone at Scottish Hockey on securing qualification for both the men’s and women’s squads.

“The hockey competitions are set to be really strong during the Games and I am looking forward to watching our teams in action after a strong year of results. I have no doubt that thousands of fans in Birmingham, and back home, will be get behind our heroes and back our teams all the way.”

The hockey competition runs from 29 July to 8 August at the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre.