Praise for Caithness rugby development as Hannah and Morven are named in Scotland U18 squad
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A former Scottish women's under-18 head coach has heaped praise on the work being done to develop the game in Caithness.
South African Rudi Urbach was speaking after county duo Hannah Dunnett and Morven Thomson were named in this year's squad.
Scrum-half Hannah and Morven, who plays fly-half and centre, are heading to the national sports training centre at Inverclyde this weekend to take part in the first get-together.
Urbach, the national lead for girls' and women's rugby and the Caledonian North regional director, said the pair are the latest from the far north to win representative honours.
"I think there have been five or six girls from Caithness who have been involved in national youth squads over the last few years," he said. "The club has some really good history with the programme.
"They have done some fantastic work there and their representation in the national squads is testament to that."
Urbach, who coached the Scottish under-18s from 2018 to 2021, said this year's schedule has been condensed by the pandemic.
This weekend is the first of four residential camps, while the players will be given their own skills development and strength and conditioning programmes to follow in their home areas, in liaison with SportScotland staff.
The squad will also be involved in international fixtures, which have still to be confirmed.
The 30-strong squad has further Caley representation from Garioch fly-half April MacKenzie, from Keith.
Urbach revealed that Scottish Rugby has invested £5000 in a community coaching initiative targeted at primary schools in Caithness.
He said the game has also taken a major stride forward at senior level, with Caithness Krakens making their debut this season in Caledonian North Region League.
Caledonian North regional manager Sinclair Patience was also delighted for Hannah and Morven, who were selected after impressing at the national trials at Murrayfield on January 22/23.
He said: "They both have done really well and have come up through a strong age group. They have worked really hard and it's great for their club to be represented again in the squad."
Hannah (16) and Morven (17) play for Caithness under-18s, who are coached by Hannah's dad Sinclair.
Their latest fixture on Sunday, at home to Dundee in the Scottish U18 girls' national cup, was cancelled because of the stormy weather.
