Hockey: Grange boosted to EuroLeague status

Grange jumped from the third tier Challenge 1 tournament to the elite EuroLeague (EHL) when the European Hockey Federation issued the placings for next season’s club competitions yesterday, the Edinburgh side, thus leapfrogging the second division Trophy event.

Scottish champions Glynhill Kelburne will join Grange in the draw for the first round of the EHL, to be played in October.

“It will be a thrill and a huge challenge to play in the EHL again,” said Rob Barr, Grange’s captain. “We last qualified for the EHL in the inaugural competition back in 2007, so some of the squad have played at the top level, but for most it will be a new experience.

“We have a young squad that continues to improve and we will need to be at our very best to compete in the first round group stages.”