Scottish Veterans LX Hockey Club has won an ‘Awards for All’ lottery grant worth over £5,000 to prepare for this summer’s European Cup and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

With a wealth of experience, including 47-times-capped, 82-year-old vets’ President George Black said: “This grant will help us encourage seniors to continue playing at a high level, keeping them fit and as active as possible, and keep players fit enough to still represent Scotland competitively at international level.”

Veterans LX Hockey Club is the main source of players for Scotland’s over 60s and over 65s teams which will be participating in the World Grand Masters Hockey Association’s European Cup in Amstelveen, Netherlands 24-28 August 2009 and at the World Cup next year.

Grant money will cover coaching costs, equipment, playing strips and venue hire for Scottish vets in the build up to these major events. It will also support training and skills development of veteran members across the board.

Veteran captain, and Scotland U16 manager, 62-year-old Alan Auld commented: “This is fantastic news. I'm grateful to The National Lottery, and to Awards for All in particular, for their support.

“It will make a huge difference to the club's aim of widening opportunities for senior hockey players to play and socialise. Hockey is a very sociable sport and we intend to make sure old friends can keep in touch while encouraging continued participation in the sport we all love.”

Most recently Scotland’s vets finished fifth in both the over 60s (Grand Masters) and over 65s (Great Grand Masters) World Grand Masters Championships held in Hong Kong in September 2008.