Bermuda hockey stalwart Liz Stewart will play for Scotland in the Masters World Cup this year.

Stewart, 54, has been a regular in the Bermuda National team and will sign off from international duty in the Central American and Caribbean Games in July.

The impending end of her Bermuda career was the catalyst for chasing other hockey avenues and she found a route that will involve her taking part in one of the biggest tournaments in the world.

“I was just thinking about what happens when I no longer play for the Bermuda national team and I want to keep playing,” Stewart said.

“I looked into Masters hockey and someone I went to school with played Masters for England. My dad’s Scottish and I’m eligible to play because although he came here in 1962, he was born in Scotland, so I can represent them.

“The trials were in November so I decided to hop on a plane and see what happens. I didn’t know if I was going to be up against incredible players or be able to hold my own, but I just gave it a go.”

After the first trial in November, Stewart was invited back for another session in January before being told she was selected for the World Cup, which takes place in Belgium in August. As a result she is bracing herself for a hectic few weeks of travel.

“I’m going across in April because we’re playing a couple of teams in the north of England. Then in June, we have a four-nations tournament, featuring England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in Belfast.

“The World Cup is in Belgium from August 6 to 15 and that’s right after the CAC Games. I’m hoping to get picked for my last tour with Bermuda and then I'll just shoot straight over from Dominican Republic to Belgium.”

Stewart is the matriarch of the Bermuda hockey squad and she admits that it is an emotional time as she winds down her involvement with the side.

“The CAC Games would be an exciting way to finish,” she said

“I had put hockey aside for a little while, did a lot of triathlon, had a break and then just started playing again and loving it.

“We had the CAC qualifiers in 2022 and I got into that team and we’ve had basically four tournaments and I've managed to get in every team.

“I know I'm on borrowed time but playing with these guys is incredible. I’ve played with most of them for a long time and some of them I coached when they were children. It’s strange as I don’t feel like I’m older than them.

“It’s kind of weird but when they're your team-mates, you feel you’re the same age, although that might be me just being in denial. I’m 54 but I still think I’m 24 in my head before my body reminds me I'm definitely not 24.

“But when you’re on the field, you just play, get stuck in and do your best. You have to go in and believe you’re as good as everyone else.”