A TEACHER at Dollar Academy has been named vice captain of Scotland women’s hockey team in the build up to the Commonwealth Games.

Katie Robertson, a PE teacher at the school, has been named as the vice captain of Chris Duncan’s new look leadership team.

The announcement comes less than two months before the team set off for Birmingham to represent the nation in the Commonwealth Games.

Katie told the Advertiser: “I’m delighted, I was a little bit shocked at first when Chris asked me to do it but I’m delighted to take on the role and I think it’s an exciting time in the squad to take on the role.

“When he came in he had this target of reaching the top 10 in the world which obviously doesn’t happen overnight.

“He thought that between me and [Sarah Robertson, the team's captain] we’d be able to drive the squad forward, we show the characteristics he wants everyone within the squad to show; hard work and dedication.”

Not only is the Commonwealth Games on everyone’s minds, the EuroHockey qualifiers take place in August.

Katie continued: “There’s two massive tournaments coming up at the end of summer. The Commonwealth Games is a brilliant tournament and that’s what all Scottish hockey players wants to play in.

“On the back of that, the following week we’re away to play European qualifiers and we’re going there to try and retain our A Division European status.

“Two massive tournaments in the next three months so it’s an exciting time to step into the role and I’m looking forward to not just this summer but [in] four or five years where we can be as a squad and I think it’s an exciting time.

“There’s lots of young players coming through and knocking on the door of the senior squad.”

Katie hopes to use her background in teaching to help the group and also to take her experience of being vice captain back to Dollar Academy to help the students, and also wished to thank the school for their support in and help they’ve given her.

Looking ahead to the future, Katie added: “To go to another two Commonwealth Games would be my overall goal.

“I’ve always had really inspiring and influential leaders throughout my time in the squad. I’ve looked up to them and to be honest I never thought I’d be in the position to be vice captain.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far.

“I always aimed to go to a Commonwealth Games and now to be on 50 caps and have done that already I’m now thinking what’s the next thing I can achieve.

“I guess you have to [think] 100 caps and another Commonwealth Games.”