Great Britain delivered a stunning performance at the Division II, Group A World Championship in Riga, Latvia, storming through the tournament with five consecutive wins to upgrade last year’s silver to a triumphant Gold and secure promotion.
The Great Britain squad included three Scottish-born forwards: Cassie McGregor, Emma Lamberton, and Ruby Newlands, all key to GB’s unbeaten run. Ruby Newlands stood out, earning IIHF Forward of the Tournament award with 5 goals and 8 assists (2.6 points per game). Emma Lamberton added 5 goals and 5 assists, while Cassie McGregor contributed 2 goals and 6 assists, both ranking among GB’s top three scorers.
The Great Britain U18 squad earned promotion to Division I, Group B for the first time since 2020. However, all three Scottish players will begin their transition to senior hockey after this season. Their success in the junior ranks will serve as an inspiration for young female players across Scotland.
Scottish Roots and Development Pathway
All three players are products of the Scottish Ice Hockey junior development system. Ruby Newlands began her journey with Kilmarnock Junior Ice Hockey Club and now competes alongside Emma and Cassie for the WNIHL Elite side, Whitley Bay Beacons. Emma honed her skills within the North Ayrshire Wild academy, while Cassie progressed through the Solway Sharks academy and continues to play for Solway Sharks Ladies at U19 and WNIHL 1 levels.
Reflecting on her experience, Great Britain forward Emma Lamberton shared:
‘It has been an absolute privilege to play for GB the past two years. This tournament will hold memories that will last a lifetime. The experience, from training to games, was incredible, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. The togetherness of the players and staff was amazing.
Being one of three Scots representing GB this year is special, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an amazing group of players and staff.
The feeling of winning gold is one that I don’t think I will ever get over. Being able to achieve such a thing with your best friends is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I believe we, as a group, have built a bond that will last forever.”
Fellow Scottish forward Cassie McGregor also shared her thoughts on the experience:
“When I heard that I had been selected to play for GB, I was so excited. I was very happy that two other Scottish players were selected for the team, and we were all so proud to represent Scotland.
The feeling of winning gold is hard to put into words. I was so proud of every player on the team, plus the coaching staff, and I am thankful for the opportunity to play in my last tournament at this age group.
With the introduction of girls’ and women’s Scottish development sessions, hopefully more Scottish female players will make the GB squads. Now I will focus on working hard to break into the senior GB Women’s squad.”
Scottish Ice Hockey takes immense pride in the accomplishments of Ruby, Emma, and Cassie and hopes that their success will inspire the next generation of female hockey players in Scotland. With continued investment in female hockey development, the future looks bright for Scottish players aiming to make their mark on the international stage.
Scottish Ice Hockey’s New Commitment to Female Hockey
Scottish Ice Hockey is embarking on a new and ambitious initiative to grow and develop women’s hockey at all levels. Recently, girls’ hockey sessions have been fully integrated into the national development program, marking a significant step forward in expanding opportunities for young female athletes. As part of this initiative, Scottish Ice Hockey is working towards establishing both a junior girls’ Scotland team and a senior women’s team, further enhancing the pathway for female players to compete at higher levels.
This is an exciting time for women’s hockey in Scotland, and Scottish Ice Hockey encourages girls of all skill levels to engage with the program. The Scottish National Development Program provides a structured route to international success, offering talented players the chance to progress towards Great Britain representation.