Scottish Thistles – Meet the Team
3rd June 2019
We couldn’t be more excited to introduce you all to the 12 Scottish Thistles, and their Coaching Team, who will take on the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool this July!
Your Scottish Thistles for the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup are:
Emma Barrie
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): GS
Height (cm): 194
VNWC Age: 17
Under 17 Scotland caps: 4
Under 21 Scotland caps: 7
International career to date: Netball World Youth Cup
What is your netball career highlight? Playing New Zealand at NWYC
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Pride, passion, commitment
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
Probably a Swimmer
Kelly Boyle
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): WA/C/WD
Height (cm): 165
VNWC Age: 23
Under 21 Scotland caps: 16
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Northern Ireland, 2016 (Celtic Clash)
International career to date:
- Netball Europe’s U19, U21 and open,
- U21 World Youth cup Botswana
- 4 Thistles Caps
What is your netball career highlight?
U21 World Youth Cup
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Overwhelmed, proud, excited
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
A Badminton or Volleyball player
Lynsey Gallagher
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): GA/GS/WA
Height (cm): 174.5
VNWC Age: 27
Under 17 Scotland caps: 12
Under 21 Scotland caps: 16
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Northern Ireland, 2010
International career to date:
- 80 Senior caps for Scotland, CWG 2014 & 2018, Netball World Cup 2015
- World Youth Netball Championships 2009 & 2013 (Captain of U21 WYNC squad, Glasgow 2013)
- Open Netball Europe (FENA) 2010-present
What is your netball career highlight? Both Commonwealth Games, but particularly Glasgow 2014 because it was Scotland’s first time competing at the Games, it was on home soil and my first major multi-sport competition
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Honour, Pride, Amazing
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
A Primary Teacher
Ella Gibbons
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): GK/GD
Height (cm): 191
VNWC Age: 24
Under 17 Scotland caps: 3
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V England, 2016
International career to date:
- 12 Scottish Thistle Caps
- Commonwealth Games 2018, Gold Coast
What is your netball career highlight?
Reaching Super League finals for Loughborough Lightning in 2017
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Pride, passion, heart & soul
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
Maybe volleyball player? Or a Human Rights activist!
Bethan Goodwin
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): GS, GA
Height (cm): 185
VNWC Age: 20
Under 17 Scotland caps: 7
Under 21 Scotland caps: 19
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Wales, 2016 (I was 16 years old)
International career to date:
- 19 Senior International caps, 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast
- Netball World Youth Cup Botswana, 2017
- Netball Europe, 2016 (Player of the Tournament)
- U17’s Netball Europe, 2015 and 2016 (Player of the Tournament)
What is your netball career highlight?
Representing Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Pride, happiness, motivation
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
A Pop-star
Sarah MacPhail
Club: Glasgow Saltires Netball Club
Position(s): GD, WD, GK
Height (cm): 178
VNWC Age: 21
Under 17 Scotland caps: 1
Under 21 Scotland caps: 14
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Fiji, 2017
International career to date:
- 2 Scottish Thistle Caps
- Captain of U21 Netball Europe 2018
- Netball World Youth Cup 2017
- U21 Netball Europe 2018, 2017
What is your netball career highlight?
Beating Samoa in Botswana at the Netball World Youth Cup
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Honour, Commitment, Success
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
An athlete – High Jumper
Claire Maxwell
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): C/WD
Height (cm): 174.5
VNWC Age: 31
Under 17 Scotland caps: 6
Under 21 Scotland caps: 19
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Wales, 2009
International career to date:
- Current Scotland Captain with 97* Senior International caps – *75th cap achieved during the NWC 2015 and on track to win *100th cap in opening NWC 2019 match.
- Participated in the World Youth Cup 2009 , World Cup 2015 and the Commonwealth Games 2014 & 2018
- 9 Senior European Championships
What is your netball career highlight?
2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Proud, honour & passion
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
A P.E teacher
Niamh McCall
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): GA/WA
Height (cm): 178
VNWC Age: 19
Under 17 Scotland caps: 6
Under 21 Scotland caps: 12
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Northern Ireland, 2016 (aged 16)
International career to date:
- 10 Scottish Thistle Caps
- World Youth Cup Botswana, 2017
- 2018 Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast
What is your netball career highlight?
Commonwealth games against Barbados. Even though I didn’t play it was such an amazing experience to be a part of!
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Proud. Honoured. Excited
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
A Basketball player
Nicola McCleery
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): WA
Height (cm): 168
VNWC Age: 23
Under 17 Scotland caps: 6
Under 21 Scotland caps: 12
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Wales, 2016
International career to date:
- Captained Scotland at all underage groups – U17s, 19s and 21s
- Netball World Youth Cup in 2013
- 19 Scottish Thistles Caps.
- 2018 Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast
What is your netball career highlight?
Commonwealth Games 2018
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Proud, privileged, excited
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
A tennis player
Hayley Mulheron
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): GK/GD
Height (cm): 185
VNWC Age: 33
Under 17 Scotland caps: 9
Under 21 Scotland caps: 12
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Isle of Man, 2004
International career to date:
- 114 Thistles caps, 3 World Cups, 2 Commonwealth Games (Vice-captain 2014)
- Captain of Scottish Thistles 2014-2015, Thistle of the year 2013
- Player of tournament against New Zealand January 2014
What is your netball career highlight?
Commonwealth games in Glasgow and my 100th cap milestone
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Proud Excited Honoured
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
I’d be a Police officer or in the army
Emily Nicholl
Club: Strathclyde Sirens
Position(s): GD/WD
Height (cm): 180
VNWC Age: 25
First Scottish Thistles cap: Scotland V Wales, 2016
International career to date:
- 15 Scottish Thistle caps, World Cup qualifiers,
- 2018 commonwealth games, Celtic clash 2016
- Netball Europe
What is your netball career highlight?
Gaining my 1st Thistle Cap
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
Proud, the dream, privilege
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
A cyclist or a rower probably.
Lauren Tait
Club: Glasgow Saltires Netball Club
Position(s): GK, GD
Height (cm): 186
VNWC Age: 23
Under 21 Scotland caps: 4
First Scottish Thistles cap? Scotland V England, 2016
International career to date:
- U21 player of the year
- U21 and U19 Youth Championships
- Selected for World Youth Cup, Botswana 2017 (Injury forced withdrawal)
What is your netball career highlight?
Being a part of the U21’s when they qualified to make worlds!
In just three words, how would you sum up the feeling of being selected to play for your country?
- An honour, ecstatic and excited
If you weren’t a netballer, what would you be?
Touch Rugby player
Your Scottish Thistles Coaching Team For the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup are:
Lead Coach – Gail Parata
Assistant Coach – Jill Anderson
Assistant Coach – Lesley MacDonald
Team Manager – Karen McElveen
Physio – Sarah Chambers
Performance Analysis – Simon Lovelock
Performance Support – Elena Morris
Sports Psychology – Laura Carey
Everyone at Netball Scotland wants to wish the Scottish Thistles Team and the Management Team all the best as they perpare travel down to Liverpool this July, we’re all #BackingPurple
