Inside Scotland’s Camp
22nd September 2024
A Sit-Down with Hayley Mackellar Ahead of the U21 Netball World Cup Qualifiers
As the U21 Netball World Cup Qualifiers draw near, we caught up with Hayley Mackellar, the lead coach of Scotland’s U21 team, at their training camp in Scotland. With the team deep in preparation, Mackellar shared insights on her coaching journey, team dynamics, and the strategies in place to ensure the squad is at its best for the upcoming competition.
Building to This Moment
“This is my third season with this group, and my second as head coach,” Mackellar begins. “By the time we get to the Netball Youth World Cup, I will have been with this squad for four years—a whole cycle. I’ve seen them all come through and we’ve been building to this moment.”
The journey with these young athletes has been a personal and professional evolution for Mackellar, witnessing their growth from budding players into a cohesive, determined unit poised for the international stage.
Fostering Team Dynamics
When asked about how she has worked to develop team dynamics and player skills, Mackellar emphasizes the importance of trust and communication. “Everything we do comes down to the trust on the court and the ability to have that communication during the game,” she explains. “To do that, you need to get to know each other off the court. It’s really important that when we come together, it’s quality time, not just on the court but also off it.”
Mackellar is proud of how the team has connected leading into the competition. “They’ve really got each other’s backs, and I think that is one of the biggest things that will take them further,” she adds.
A Blend of Youth and Experience
The current squad boasts a mix of youth and experience, which Mackellar believes is one of their strengths. “We have got some youth, some experience, some people that have been there and been through the whole cycle with us, others that have just come in the door. We have a fearless, fiery, kind squad that all have each other’s backs and are absolutely up for a challenge.”
Goals and Expectations
With the qualifiers imminent, Mackellar is focused on the finer details: “For us, it’s about tidying up and being sure about our structures and bringing the confidence and trust to execute that, particularly in a 5-day tournament with games back to back.”
Mackellar is clear about her expectations. “We are absolutely looking to come out of this with top place. We’ve put the work in, and we’ve got the depth within our squad to take us that far and to qualify in first or second placing.”
Following the Event
Fans eager to support the Scotland U21 team can tune in to the games live. Details on where to watch the matches are available here and across social media platforms, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of the action.
