I’m Really Excited to Return to the Czech Republic, Says Scott Elliott, Captain of the Cayman Islands

I feel genuinely grateful to still be competing at this level for Cayman

Scott, you have participated in many championships, which one do you remember the most?

All of the championships have been memorable in one way or another, but I think 2019 in Kosice, Slovakia, stands out the most. Cayman won the B pool gold for the first time, and it was such an incredible experience.

This October you will celebrate your 36th birthday, how do you feel when you are still running onto the field in the national team jersey?

I feel genuinely grateful to still be competing at this level for Cayman. Getting the chance to represent the country where you live is always special. Every tournament seems to get faster and more skilled, so continuing to contribute alongside this group is something I don’t take for granted.

At the last World Championship in Switzerland, you took fifth place in Group B, what are your goals for the upcoming championship?

Our team sets high standards for ourselves every time we step into a championship. We want to build on our performance from Switzerland and establish ourselves as one of the top teams in Group B. The goal is always to push higher, perform better, and ultimately compete for gold.

It’s definitely one of the most memorable goals I’ve scored at a World Championship

You are one of the most productive players of the Cayman Islands, at the 2024 World Cup you scored a hat-trick against Armenia and helped to win 5:1, do you see your role as a leader?

Our team has a lot of leaders who contribute in different ways. This year, as the captain, I will try to use my experiences from past tournaments to help the team in any way I can.

A video of your winning goal against Bermuda in 2019 at the World Cup in Košice has been circulating on social networks, do you still remember this beautiful goal in extra time?

I do remember that goal – it’s definitely one of the most memorable goals I’ve scored at a World Championship. What stands out to me isn’t just the finish, but the resilience our team showed to battle back late in the game. That comeback gave us a huge boost in confidence, and I really believe it played a big part in helping us build momentum all the way to the gold medal.

Nine years ago, you competed in the Czech Republic in Pardubice. How do you look back on that World Championship, and how much are you looking forward to returning to the Czech Republic?

Pardubice was my first World Championship, so it will always hold a special place for me. The atmosphere at that tournament was incredible – one of the best I’ve ever experienced – and it made the whole event unforgettable. I’m really excited to return to the Czech Republic. I loved the food, the culture, and the beauty of the country the first time, and I’m looking forward to experiencing all of it again. It feels a bit like coming full circle.

Scott Elliott at his first World Championship in Pardubice in 2017. Photo credit: Daniel Souček.