GB Coaching Duo Excited By Dumfries Tournament

Great Britain Women coaches Cheryl Smith and Michelle Smith say they are excited at the prospect of leading the team as this year’s World Championship in Dumfries.

The Sheffield-born twins, who also represented GB Women as players from 1995 to 2001, have stepped up from their roles as assistant coaches following the resignation of Paul Burton on Wednesday.

GB will host Croatia, Kazakhstan, Korea, New Zealand and Poland in the Division 2A IIHF tournament from 30th March to 5th April.

Cheryl Smith said: “I am very proud to be given this opportunity to lead the side for a major international tournament.

“It is especially exciting given that the World Championship is being held in the UK.

“We came so close to a gold medal last year in Italy, so the squad is clearly capable of doing very well.

“We have a great group of girls and have fantastic competition for places, so everyone should be very positive about the future.”

Michelle Smith said: “It is going to be a honour to coach the team in Dumfries and one I am very much looking forward to.

“I was proud to pull on a GB shirt as a player and proud to be on the bench when we won a silver medal and came so close to gold in Asiago last year.

“The Dumfries tournament will be very exciting for coaches, management, players and supporters.

“We had a very successful few days in Netherlands last weekend, where we beat a team who play in the World Championship level above us.

“It bodes well for the tournament next month and I know the team will be focused and ready to go.”