SCOTTISH HOCKEY has announced that Gordon Shepherd, head coach of the women’s national team, will leave his position with immediate effect.

Shepherd has had a hugely successful tenure, leading the Scotland women to a seventh place finish at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, sixth at Glasgow 2014 and seventh once again in Gold Coast in 2018.

He also coached the team to victory in the EuroHockey Championship II in Poland in 2011, which resulted in promotion to the top division of European international hockey where they remained until last year.

“It has been an honour to coach the senior women’s team over the last eight years,” Shepherd said.

“I would like to thank the management team that have worked so hard alongside me, and the players past and present.”