The last four years, culminating in this year's world cup, has been a period of great successes for the Scottish national squad.

However 2016, as we enter the next four year cycle leading to Malaysia in 2019, will be a year of considerable change as we look to build on what has been achieved.

The National Squad has a new director and new arrivals on the Management Committee, whose enthusiasm and dedication will be a great addition to the support team.

Mikey Short as High Performance Director brings his experiences of playing at the highest level to the team and Simon Ebbett, as newly appointed Head of Elite Coaching, is someone who is held in enormously high esteem throughout the touch fraternity.

The newly created coaching team is one that features some of the successful coaches of the last four years alongside others newer to coaching, but whose talent made them stand out choices for their respective roles.

The squad itself will be the biggest Scotland has ever produced, picked with an eye not just on immediate success but with the emphasis on development as we build towards the Euros of 2018 and the World Cup to follow.

It is a period of great hope and great excitement for Scottish Touch and the National Squad. We can't wait...can you?