Badenoch brothers star in Malaysian hockey championships
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Two hockey brothers from the strath played their part in this year’s Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, starring in both attack and defence.
Goalkeeper Calum (18) and forward Alastair Douglas (20) were selected for the GB team in the international men’s under–21 field hockey tournament in Johor Bahru.
A total of eight national teams competed for the title at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium and the pair gave a good account of themselves.
At home in Kincraig, their mother, former sports coach Jackie Douglas, told the Strathy: “Calum and Ali used to play in the little Badenoch Tigers hockey team here, but were honoured to be selected to play in Malaysia and after some good performances secured fifth place overall.
“They were the only two Scots boys in the team.
“The captain is Irish and the rest of the boys are from England.”
The brothers claimed their first British caps after a series of fine performances in Scotland over the years.
In a fiercely competitive championship, the British team lost to Australia 3-0, beat South Africa 2-1, lost to Germany 4-3 and then, with a fine goal from Ali to boost the cause, triumphed over hosts Malaysia 6-4.
The finale for the team was a fine 5-3 victory over New Zealand.
It was a double celebration for Ali, who marked his 20th birthday on Monday – precisely four years after being crowned as the country’s finest under-16 player.#
“It was a brilliant trip and really competitive,” said Ali, on returning to work as a coach in a London school.
His brother, back in Edinburgh University studying to become a PE teacher, agreed: "It was tough, especially against the Germans who were absolutely brilliant, but we had a brilliant time."
Both are now hoping to qualify for Scotland’s Euro team.
