Nicola Skrastin

Nicola Alexandra Skrastin (born 16 September 1992), is a Scottish hockey player. Nicola was born in the Vale of Leven in Argyll and Bute and grew up close to the town of Helensburgh. She attended Rhu Primary school and then Lomond School.[1]  Skrastin's potential was first noted by school PE teacher Margery Taylor, who urged her to start playing in the Glasgow hockey scene. As captain of the School 1st XI, Nicola balanced the pressures of her school life and early hockey career. Skrastin obtained a place to study Geography & Business at the University of Glasgow and has since taken a year out from her studies in order to train full-time with the Scottish team.

Skrastin has 36 caps, having made her senior international debut on 1 May 2012 against South Africa, aged just 19.[citation needed]

Skrastin is a key player for Glasgow Western and the poster girl for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. A mural of Skrastin can be found on a wall close to Partick station in Glasgow.[citation needed]

Skrastin hopes to feature in the Scotland squad for the upcoming[when?]  'Champions Challenge' tournament, being held at Glasgow Green National Hockey Centre.[citation needed]  This tournament is likely to act as a Commonwealth Games warm-up for many of the international hockey teams