SUTHERLAND AIMS FOR 2014 GAMES

SCOTT Sutherland Edinburgh-based midfield star helped Kelburne claim back-to-back wins last weekend and his target now is to help the champions claim a ninth-straight domestic title and a place in Scotland’s Commonwealth Games side for 2014. The former CALA Edinburgh player has just spent a year Down Under and believes the experience has improved his game. Sutherland, a sales executive for sports goods firm Dita, is now gearing up for Saturday’s derby with Kelburne’s arch rivals Western at Auchenhowie. And he can’t wait. The Scottish indoor international is a son of celebrated hockey export, Chris Sutherland, one of Scotland’s best every players, who appeared more than 160 times for Scotland and Great Britain, and on 11 occasions for Europe, both indoors and outdoors. And the youngster said: “I learned a lot in Melbourne. We videod games, had one-to-ones with the coaches, one of whom was an Olympic gold medallist, after games, and my discipline is much better. I only had three green cards in Melbourne and I’ve learned not to feud with referees. There is no point. “I believe I’m a much better player now and I have a goal of making the Commowealth Games team in 2014. I had over two months off when I finished in Melbourne and I may go back there in the future, but for now I aim to get fit.” Sutherland would love to play in the Knockout 16 of the European Hockey League next Easter and Kelburne are checking if he is eligible . And he added: “I was involved in the under-age Scottish group but I’m now 22 and it’s the senior team or nothing for me. I want to make it and I’ve joined Kelburne to try to bring my game on even further. “I was in midfield last weekend alongside Michael Christie, Michael Bremner and Chris Nelson. That’s a really talented trio. “I was credited with a goal on Saturday against Grove Menzieshill but I didn’t score. We got four but it could have been more as we missed some easy chances. “We dominated Edinburgh University in the first-half on Sunday and won 5-2. We lost it for a spell in the second-half but we played really well and I’m enjoying being involved. I know a few of the Kelburne players from Scotland stuff and they are a really good bunch of guys.” Sutherland was approached to join Inverleith through a contact but said: “I’d played for CALA for years and couldn’t play Division Two hockey if I wanted to play for Scotland. “An Inverleith player spoke to me but I wanted the chance to play at the European Hockey League and emailed Ralphie (Kelburne’s player/coach Mark Ralph). They invited me to training and signed me on the second night. “Saturday is a big game. I’ve heard about Western and Kelburne rivalry for years and it will be good to be involved. “Western have had some good results lately but Kelburne are unbeaten and we want to keep it that way.”