THE chief executive of Scottish Hockey has reacted with disappointment to the news that there will be an 11% reduction in investment in the sport in the build-up to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2016.

"It is naturally disappointing to receive a reduction in funding from sportscotland in our senior men`s programme, however we welcome the decision to retain investment in our senior women," said David Sweetman.

The awards bring mixed fortunes for the sport. Gordon Shepherd's preparations for his women's team remain unaffected since his funding remains the same, meaning he will be able to embark on periods of full-time training with an eye on the European Nations Championships in London later this summer.

It's a different story, though, for men's coach Derek Forsyth, who will now attempt to achieve promotion from the Championships 11 tournament in Prague next month on a vastly reduced budget. His side's presence in the second tier sealed their funding fate since their inability to achieve promotion partly informed the decision to reduce funding.

Other areas of the sport have received financial support from sportscotland, the employment of four Regional Development Managers following an 8% rise in membership growth, and also the Women in Coaching programme designed to increase the number of women coaches in the sport.