A WEST FIFE hockey star has been selected for a national programme that aims to identify potential medal-winning Olympians.

Eve Pearson, who is from Dunfermline, is one of 32 players that have been selected for the 2023 GB Women’s Elite Development Programme (EDP) squad.

The 21-year-old, a former youth player with Dunfermline Carnegie Hockey Club, who now represents the University of Edinburgh, is one of six Scots included in the pool, which also has representation from England and Wales.

Launched in 2017, the purposed of the GB EDP is to provide players that have the potential to become medal-winning Olympians of the future with the best possible opportunity to achieve their international hockey ambitions.

Funded by UK Sport and the National Lottery as part of their World Class Programme, the GB EDP seeks to identify and select the most talented future senior internationals, with the potential to perform at the world’s best level; implement a programme that enables players to maximise their potential, and that supports the development of the skills, physicality and character required to become a medal-winning Olympian in the future; and deliver junior international teams that excel and under-21 and non-under-21 level.

Eve is one of several players picked who have already been capped at senior international level, having made her debut for Scotland at last summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

She played in each of her country’s games, beginning with a 4-2 win over South Africa (pictured above) in Pool B, which was then followed by a single goal loss to New Zealand.

An 11-0 win over Kenya was followed by their final pool match with Australia, and an opportunity to reach the semi-finals, but the ‘Hockeyroos’, secured a 2-0 success, while the Scots finished sixth overall after a loss to Canada to determine final placings.

After the Games, Eve was back in action for Scotland in EuroHockey qualifiers, where wins over France, Austria and Switzerland, in Qualifier D, saw the Tartan Hearts clinch a place at this year’s EuroHockey Championships.

Commenting on the GB Women’s EDP selection, Simon Letchford, head coach, said: “Following a rigorous assessment period over a number of different camps, I am delighted to be able to announce the selection for the GB Women’s EDP 2023.

“Competition for places in the squad was tough, the standards were high and I am excited at the quality of those players who have been successful.”

The 2023 programme begins with a three-day, inaugural women’s pathway camp, this month, which will see players from the senior and EDP British squads come together with under-16 and under-18 players from each of the home nations.