Barrow Raiders Ladies duo Nicole Stewart and Imogen Smillie have been named in Scotland’s initial 31-woman training squad to compete in 2025.
The squad, which also includes former Raiders Ladies star Demi Fisher, contains a mixture of players from across many of the women’s leagues in the UK and France.
Scotland Women will meet up for their first training session on Saturday 24 May as they start preparations as a national side, with upcoming fixtures to be announced in due course.
On her inclusion, Stewart said: “My opportunity came around for Scotland when one of the coaches sent me a message. I was invited to a training session and then I received an email to say I had been selected for the squad.
“I was shocked to receive the email to say I had been selected, and I’m very proud to be a part of the squad.
“It’s a very exciting opportunity, and to be selected alongside a fellow Barrow team-mate in Imogen is amazing. We both cannot wait to get started.”
Teenager Smillie – who is part of the Raiders Ladies’ Under 19s squad but made her first team debut in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup group stages against Wigan Warriors earlier this month after impressing head coach Amanda Wilkinson – also expressed her delight, adding: “I’ve been to two training sessions which have both been really good.
“I’m really excited about the selection and feel proud to have the chance to represent Scotland. It’s nice to have someone familiar there in Nicole, and I’m excited to keep training hard and hit the ground running.”
Barrow Ladies head coach Amanda Wilkinson said: “We are extremely proud to see two of our talented ladies make their mark on the international stage.
“I’m confident that both players will continue to develop their game over the months and years ahead, and their inclusion reflects how hard they have worked up to this point.”
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