Scotland call-up for winger Caitlin

A CAITHNESS teenager is stunned but delighted after being chosen to be part of the first Scottish under-18 female rugby sevens squad.

Caitlin Harvey has only been playing the game since November as part of the surge in girls taking up the sport at Wick High.

Not having enough players in her age group to form a school side, her participation has been largely confined to weekly training sessions at Wick and monthly Highland district sessions, though she did guest for Grantown Grammar at the recent national finals at Murrayfield.

The 16-year-old winger is one of four reserves chosen for the Scotland squad along with a match dozen who will take part in the Sainsbury’s School Games in Sheffield on September 12-15.

Scotland will then vie with regional squads from throughout England and Wales in the city’s Don Valley Stadium.

Caitlin, from Thrumster, will take part in four training sessions in the run-up to the event though will only get a call-up to the tourney if one of the match squad drops out.

A keen piper and talented Highland dancer, she is making an early mark in her new pastime. Wick High girls’ coach Colin Sangster said of the teenager: “She has done exceptionally well given the short time she has been playing the game.

“It’s a pretty good standard of competition and the experience of being involved with the squad will undoubtedly bring her on.”

Caitlin has just left school to start an apprenticeship.

Scotland call-up for winger Caitlin