Teenage Tartan Spartans set for Under 17s Euro Qualifiers in Croatia

Scotland logoEartha Cumings and Ronaigh Douglas are the latest Tartan Spartans to feature in an International squad as the pair travel to Croatia to compete in the Under 17s U.E.F.A. European Championship Qualifying tournament.

The duo head to the town of Porec, situated in the west of Croatia, early next week as part of Pauline Hamill’s 22 player squad as they get set to take on Montenegro followed by Croatia before heading to the coastal city of Umag to finish their trio of games in seven days against Sweden.

It’ll be the second venture abroad for Goalkeeper Cumings in the space of a month after the Spartans shot-stopper featured in an Under 16’s International Challenge double-header in Finland.

For Douglas, it will be her first chance to experience travelling with the International side and it’s one she’s looking forward to, “I got notified earlier this week that I’d been selected and I am delighted and proud to be part of the squad for the first time. It’s a fantastic opportunity and one I’m ready to grasp with both hands.”

The youngster, who has featured in Debbi McCulloch’s SWPL side on a number of occasions so far this season, also had this message for those aspirational players working their way through the age-grades at the Club, “Keep trying your hardest and eventually you will get recognised. This is the first year I have been involved in Regional Camps and now I’m getting a call-up to the Scotland squad and if I’m lucky, perhaps get some game time too.  Perseverance is key in chasing your goal.”

John Douglas, the Spartans Under 17s Head Coach – who also doubles up as Ronaigh’s father – was delighted to have two players involved in the squad. “It’s brilliant not only for the Club, but primarily for the players themselves. The pair have worked exceptionally hard this season to get where they are and they more than deserve every opportunity.”

“For Eartha, she’s moving up the International ranks, from the 15s to the 16s last month and now she is packing her passport again with the 17s. As for Ronaigh, it’s been a phenomenal season for her.  To have been playing in her age-grade side having never been involved in as much as a Regional Camp previously to being on the cusp of representing her country in the space of six months, it’s been a whirlwind experience for her and as you can imagine, as her Father, I’m particularly excited too!”

The latest additions to the Scotland ranks bodes well for the future, notes the ebullient Spartans Coach, “The kids we have got coming through from the Under 9s all the way to the Under 17s show just how well things are working at Spartans and prove that the future is bright for a Club I’m proud to be part of.”

Scotland’s Itinerary:

SCOTLAND v Montenegro, 3:00 PM, 09 October, Veli Jozc Stadium, Porec
Croatia v SCOTLAND, 3:00 PM, 11 October 2014, Veli Jozc Stadium, Porec
SCOTLAND v Sweden, 11:00 AM, 14 October, Umag Stadium, Umag