TWO players from Dunfermline American football team Carnegie Steelers have been selected for Scotland - just seven months after the club was formed.

Wide receiver David McColgan and quarterback Stuart Harwood attended trials for the national Chieftains and Barbarians squad at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday 6th July and were successful in their efforts to be picked.

McColgan, who is also the club's general manager, was named in the 'A' Chieftains squad for flag football while Harwood (25) will team up with the Barbarians' development side.

Both had played the sport at university and, together with a few friends, formed a team to participate in the British American Football Association National Flag Football League in January and recently claimed an historic first victory with a 28-18 win over Northumberland Lightning.

It has been a rise that few within the Pitreavie-based outfit could have predicted in January and McColgan said, "I am delighted for the two of us getting selected - we were the only two from the club who made it along so a 100 per cent record is good! Stuart is definitely a good player and deserved his selection, but I was fairly shocked for myself as we've only been in the league for a few months.

"But it's great for the club and shows that we are producing players that can go to that level.

"It's a bit like players from a Ross County or Inverness playing for Scotland in football so it is a massive achievement for us. There is the opportunity for anybody, boys and girls, to learn the sport and can go on to play for Scotland. I remember basketball being a fringe sport when I was at high school, but look at how well Dunfermline Reign have developed. We are taking baby steps but are moving in the right direction."

Harwood, who played as a line-backer for Stirling University before moving to quarterback, added, "It was a bit of a surprise but is a big honour. We were encouraged to go along by guys from other teams, who have been very supportive. They are happy to help our development and said we would gain experience from it. It has been good to see the development of the guys and participation levels have been through the roof."

The Steelers, who play their final round of league fixtures on Saturday 2nd August, played their penultimate weekend of games on Saturday 12th July where they lost 69-20 to the Grangemouth Broncos, and 61-24 to the Glasgow Hornets. They will continue to hold training sessions and arrange matches and anyone who would like to get involved should visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/carnegieFootball or email carnegiefootball@live.co.uk.