Netball Scotland is delighted to announce its partnership with KitQueen, a leading online retailer of women’s team wear. KitQueen will be the Official Partner of the Scottish Thistles as they embark on the Netball World Cup 2023, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa from 28th July to the 6th of August.

Netball Scotland and KitQueen have a shared vision and ethos of empowering women and girls in sport and understand the importance of inclusive, functional teamwear when it comes to keeping women and girls engaged in sports and physical activity, through all stages of life.

Lucy Faulkner, Chair of Netball Scotland, commented, “We’re delighted that KitQueen has become a Netball Scotland partner. We love the way they champion diversity, inclusion, and body confidence in HER and this perfectly aligns with our approach to supporting women and girls to love their bodies, be physically active, and enjoy netball at all levels. We welcome KitQueen to the Netball Scotland family and look forward to working with them.”

The partnership will see the KitQueen logo take pride of place on the Thistles World Cup dress. As the official sponsor, KitQueen has worked together with Nike to design the dress by combining the elite functionality and performance of the Nike dress, with the heritage and pride of the Scottish Thistle and luck and positive energy of Scottish marble.

Scottish Thistles players were presented with their personalised ‘Kitmas’ boxes containing their official NWC dresses, and a special gift of Scottish Marble by KitQueen co-founder Parisha Patel © Craig Watson

“We are so honoured to be partnering with the Scottish Thistles in the lead-up to the momentous Netball World Cup,” says Parisha Patel, Chief Consumer Officer at KitKing and Co-founder of KitQueen. “As a passionate netball player myself, I know what this World Cup means to the players, and to be able to work with Netball Scotland to design this dress has been a real achievement for KitQueen. Together we have created a dress that brings pride to the players, unites them as a team, and inspires them to excel on the court and achieve great success during the tournament.”

Currently ranked 10th in the world, the Scottish Thistles will travel to South Africa to kick off their Netball World Cup 2023 campaign with their opening game against sixth-place-ranked Malawi on 28th July. Alongside them in Pool B of the competition is also Barbados, currently 14th in the world, and England, ranked 3rd in the world. Sixteen teams will be battling it out across the ten days, in the hope they will be crowned champions in netball’s most prestigious event.

About

KitQueen is the world’s first multi-sport teamwear specialist for HER, supplying and customising teamwear for girls and women.

Co-founded by Parisha and her husband Dips owners of Kitking, KitQueen has now established itself as the forefront leader in Her team wear. KitQueen’s mission is to champion inclusivity, diversity, and body confidence in HER team sports, and believes that providing the right education and information on how team kit should work for her, fit her, protect her, support her, give her confidence and make her feel like she belongs. All so she can focus, enjoy, and win her game!

To find out more about the partnership and view KitQueen’s large selection of teamwear, visit https://kitqueen.co.uk/

When it comes to preparing for a Netball World Cup, the significance of training and match play cannot be overstated.

Training camps are well underway for Scottish Thistles as they look at honing their skills, improving fitness, and developing on-court connections.

Meanwhile, match play offers a crucial testing ground to assess strategies, refine gameplay, and build the resilience necessary for success on the global stage.

Head Coach, Tamsin Greenway, and assistant Sara Francis-Bayman have put together an intense and exciting training schedule in the lead up to the teams’ departure to Cape Town at the end of July.

“We wanted to make sure we have the best possible prep heading into the Netball World Cup and match play is a huge part of that. We have the All Stars game 1st July in Glasgow and now the training match against Wales which will be really big for us. We are so evenly matched with them in lots of ways but we also want to expose ourselves to different styles so we will also have some warmup games when we get out to South Africa too.”

Scottish Thistles will play off against a selection of Netball Super League All Stars in an exclusive training match hosted by Netball Scotland 1st July at Emirates Arena. Limited tickets are still available HERE.

“Making sure that players are prepped and ready for high intensity games is huge.

One of the big things we are trying to do with Wales is play them more regularly so it’s not such a big deal when we come into World Cup Qualifiers and we have more familiarity around them so that is another big part of the decision to play them.”

“It will show the players where we’re at, we are putting in some different tactical elements as we move into World Cup. We have such a wide array of teams we are going to be playing with Malawi, Barbados and England and they are all going to offer different things so it’s really important that tactically we are able to practice things against tough opposition.”

“The goal is always to perform, it’s never about winning at this stage, I mean the win is nice but we are going to be trying combinations, we are going to make sure tactically that we’re practicing some things and as long as we are performing on the things we are working on then I’ll be happy.”

“There is always that added pressure of playing in front of a crowd as well and I think that is so important for the players. When we get out to the World Cup it’s not behind closed doors so making sure they can step up and perform under pressure is a big area we have been trying to work on and you can’t just talk about that, you have to actually put them in environments where that happens.”

“We know Wales will be a tough game, we know historically what it means Scotland playing Wales and we know it will be in front of a crowd so all those things tick a box for us of feeling the pressure.”

Scottish crowds have the opportunity to see the world cup squad take to court in their training match with NSL All Stars.

For netballers in Scotland – the joy of playing, the bonds formed with teammates, and the opportunities for growth and competition make our leagues a cherished part of the netball community. Through local leagues, players not only embrace the physical and mental aspects of the sport but also contribute to its vibrant culture, ensuring that netball continues to thrive for generations to come.

Kinross netball club is a standout example of this vibrancy and has recently celebrated the success of its second annual Outdoor Junior Charity Festival.

Speaking to Elaine Stapleton who runs Kinross Netball club, she explains.
“It was so good to see so many young netballers enjoying the festival with their coaches, teammates, and family supporters. It really brings our club together within the community to showcase netball.”

“The basis of our club is friendship, we have over 15 of our juniors’ mums playing in our league teams/social sessions and helping at our junior sessions. We really are a netball family.”

A great day out for the whole family and something the whole community can get involved in.

The feedback from the first event was so good that we have decided to make it an annual event, everyone has so much fun, it’s a brilliant way to interact with all the other teams and make new connections. This year we hosted all age groups from Primary through to our U17’s. We had an amazing 42 teams playing throughout the day over 3 courts.

“We have a great viewing area for the families to watch and enjoy the day, with some activity stalls, music playing, home baking and good banter on the mic from the main desk.”
“We encourage as many of our members as possible to help on the day and get involved. We are committed to the development of netball in our area, and it is important to let our local community see our sport being played. We have the older age groups helping with the younger ones and scoring the games, as well as opportunity for our umpires to gain practice.”

Looking ahead to next year Elaine says,
“As well as planning to host the Junior Festival again, we’d like to look at hosting a Senior Summer League next year. Our plans are to have the lines redone as they are poor, the 3 outdoor courts are full size, and we are lucky to have this facility on our doorstep.”
Local leagues and events serve as the beating heart of netball communities, offering a vibrant and inclusive space for players of all ages and skill levels to come together in their shared passion.

“The more we promote Netball in our area, the more people of all ages and ability will want to play and our aim is to make sure they do! Kinross Netball Club is continuing to grow and we are committed to the development of our umpires and coaching team to ensure that our club can be the best it can be.”

In the ever-evolving world of sports, the role of video analysis has become increasingly vital in enhancing team performance and coaching strategies. Netball Scotland has recently launched a coaching workshop, where renowned netball coach Tamsin Greenway will share her insights and experiences of video analysis. The event is set to be a game-changer, empowering coaches, and athletes to leverage the power of video analysis in their pursuit of excellence.

WHEN: Saturday 1st July 2023, 11 am – 1 pm
WHERE: Emirates Arena, Glasgow
WHO: Open to coaches of all levels, NS and non-NS members.
COST: £28.50 – NS Members / £32.50 non-NS Members – price includes ticket to watch Thistles V NSL All Stars at 3 pm!

The Rise of Video Analysis in Sports

Video analysis has revolutionized the way sports teams review and analyse their performance. It allows coaches and athletes to dissect crucial moments, identify patterns, and make data-driven decisions. With advancements in technology, video analysis tools have become more accessible, enabling teams to gain a competitive edge by fine-tuning their strategies and addressing weaknesses.

Tamsin Greenway, a former English Rose and highly successful coach, recognises the immense value of video analysis in her own career. As a regular host on Sky Netball, Greenway shares her experiences and strategies for incorporating video analysis into coaching methodologies.

Key Highlights and Insights

1. Performance Review and Player Development: Tamsin Greenway champions the importance of using video analysis as a tool for reviewing individual and team performances. By breaking down game footage, coaches can identify areas of improvement for individual players and the team as a whole. This process aids in player development, enabling athletes to refine their skills and enhance their overall performance.

2. Tactical Analysis and Game Strategy: Analysing opponents’ gameplay is a crucial aspect of sports strategy. Video analysis allows coaches to dissect opponents’ tactics and devise effective countermeasures. By identifying patterns and tendencies, teams can make informed decisions on positioning, defensive strategies, and attacking techniques.

3. Effective Communication and Feedback: Video analysis provides a visual medium for coaches to communicate with their players more effectively. Greenway regularly uses video clips to demonstrate specific techniques, tactics, or areas for improvement. This visual feedback enhances player understanding and accelerates skill development.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making: By combining video analysis with statistical data, coaches can make data-driven decisions regarding game strategies, player selection, and training plans. Greenway encourages coaches to embrace the analytical aspect of video analysis, enabling them to leverage objective insights and enhance their decision-making processes.

5. Mental Preparation and Psychological Analysis: Video analysis not only focuses on physical aspects but also plays a crucial role in mental preparation. By reviewing game footage, coaches can identify psychological patterns, assess mental resilience, and develop strategies to optimize players’ performance under stress.

Coaches can expect to gain invaluable insights into the various ways video analysis can be incorporated into training sessions and match preparation, equipping coaches with innovative ideas and techniques to optimize player performance and gain a competitive advantage.

Places are limited so book now here.

Claire Nelson will be leaving her role as CEO of both Netball Scotland and Strathclyde Sirens Netball Super League Club at the end of May to take on the newly created position of Netball Super League Managing Director where she will lead the professionalisation of the sport in the UK.

Claire joined Netball Scotland in October 2015 after having previously held a position as a non-executive Director on the Board. She came in with a huge passion for the sport and a clear vision for what she wanted to achieve and has been on a mission to take netball in Scotland to new levels ever since. Now an award-winning and globally recognized National Governing Body, Netball Scotland has been ground-breaking in its approach to challenging the gender equity gap on and off the court through participation, performance and profile, and with Sirens they have created one of the most engaging, game-changing and innovative women’s sports brands today.

On leaving her post Claire said: “Making the decision to leave Netball Scotland and Sirens has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do because leading this sport and organisation has been so much more than just a job for me. It has wholly and unequivocally been a labour of love. I have poured my heart and soul into building a business that can stand tall not only in women’s sport, but in the industry as a whole, and I really believe we’ve done that. I am so proud of all we have achieved on and off the court, the impact that we have made, the barriers that we have broken down, the standards we have set, and the bar we have raised. We have led the way in what it means to be a women’s sports brand and business. We have grown and strengthened the domestic netball system and pathway to create more and better opportunities to enjoy, develop and thrive in our sport. And most importantly we have inspired, engaged, and meaningfully impacted tens of thousands of people along the way as we remained committed to our purpose of trying to change the game for a better, fairer future for the women and girls of Scotland and beyond.

“Whilst it will be extremely difficult to leave Scotland, my new role presents to me the same opportunity that I was faced with when I took on the NS CEO role nearly 8 years ago – the opportunity to lead, shape and influence what netball should and could like. But this time I will be doing it on a bigger scale, and I am ready for that challenge. Our sport, and the nations and Clubs within it, will thrive when we have the best professional domestic Leagues across the world, and I am committed to ensuring the UK builds the best.

“It has been an absolute honour to lead Netball Scotland and I am beyond grateful that I’ve been able to work with the most incredible people, from the NS staff and Board to our members, players, partners, and fans. Our Netball Family here in Scotland is the most supportive community of people, and I’d like to personally thank every single one of you who makes our sport what it is. I will miss you all terribly.

“I will be proud to pass the baton on to the next CEO who will lead the organisation into the next, and arguably most important, phase of our journey where we will strive to seize the immense opportunities ahead of us as a sport. Netball in Scotland is only just getting going and there is a very bright future ahead!”

Chair of Netball Scotland, Lucy Faulkner, added: “On behalf of the Netball Scotland Board I would like to express our deep gratitude and thanks to Claire for what she has done for netball over the last seven and half years. Claire’s leadership, fortitude, resilience, creativity, and innovation has raised the profile of our sport, influenced many people to support it, and helped them recognise the power of netball. Claire has been a gamechanger for our sport and this is evident in the vision, ambition and drive Claire has demonstrated to build relationships and secure commercial income to establish Strathclyde Sirens in the Netball Super League.

“Through her leadership, we have made a difference in the lives of many thousands of women and girls, and this has never been more evident than through the work of her team with young people, supporting and nurturing them through adolescence and beyond to choose a healthy lifestyle, be proud of their bodies, and to approach life with a positive mental attitude.

“Claire has a great skill of bringing the best people to Netball Scotland whilst building, supporting, and developing the incredible domestic talent we have in coaching, administration and officiating, and during her tenure the Scottish Thistles reached a peak ranking of 7th in the world, have remained in the top 10 and have consistently qualified for the Netball World Cup.

“The search for her successor has already begun and I am confident that we will attract a range of excellent candidates. Our new CEO will have the opportunity to build on Claire’s successes and support us to take netball in Scotland to the next level. We look forward to working with Claire in her new role as MD of the Netball Super League and wish her well in it.”

Recent debutant, Hannah Grant will now be unable to travel with the Scottish Thistles to the SPAR Diamond Challenge hosted by Netball South Africa next week. Grant made her Scottish Thistles debut in the Netball Europe World Cup Qualifiers in Glasgow at the start of October.

Grant obtained an injury whilst at a Thistles training camp earlier in the week and will be staying in Scotland in order to rehab.

Due to the timing of the injury the squad will not be bringing in either of their non-travelling reserves and will travel with a team of 13.

Scottish Thistles Head Coach, Tamsin Greenway said;

“I’m gutted for her as she has been playing exceptionally well, learning loads and improving daily since gaining her first cap at the WCQ last month.
Performance sport is cruel sometimes and I know missing tour is hard to take, but she is mentally tough and a great athlete, we’ve been keeping in touch and so I know she will bounce right back.
The squad is a tight-knit group and were clearly upset for Han, but they still remain very focussed on the tour and the challenges ahead and look forward to the opportunity.”