East Kilbride teenager Lewis McGuinness was part of the Scotland men's U21 side that won European gold and qualified for the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup for the first time in more than two decades.
The 19-year-old University of Stirling athlete was in the dominant Scotland squad that went unbeaten throughout the EuroHockey U21 Championship II-A, producing four tournament wins out of four.
Victory over Czechia in the final
Scotland's campaign culminated in a decisive victory over Czechia in the final, securing the gold medal and promotion to next year's top-tier EuroHockey U21 Championship.
The result also confirmed Scotland's place at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup, marking the nation's first appearance at the tournament since 2001.
Goalkeeper reflects on historic achievement
Goalkeeper Lewis said: "It was a great experience for the team, and with it being a very close knit squad it made it a very enjoyable and memorable experience for all."
"Making history is always amazing, especially for the future generation of players over the next few years – it gives the best and highest exposure possible to international hockey."
Pathway to global events
The EuroHockey Championships are Europe's leading international hockey competitions, featuring the continent's top national teams across senior and age-group levels. In addition to determining European rankings and titles, the tournaments also serve as qualification pathways for global events, adding further significance to Scotland's performances this summer.
The University of Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling's International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit.
It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
