Netball Scotland today announced Tamsin Greenway will be stepping down as the Head Coach of the Scottish Thistles. Despite her fantastic leadership since February 2020, which began amid global challenges, Tamsin has chosen to step down due to reasons beyond her control.

In a heartfelt message, Tamsin expressed, “I am absolutely gutted to be leaving my role as head coach of Scotland, it was a really difficult decision and not one that was taken lightly. Sadly, for reasons out of my control, it was one that I had to do.”

“Although I feel like there is a lot of unfinished business, I am actually very excited about what this group can do next. I am so proud of what we have achieved in such a short period of time, I think it shows the incredible athletes and young women I have been working with.”

“So although I am gutted I won’t get to carry on with my journey with them, I really believe their next chapter is going to be huge and I’m proud to have played a small part of it.”

Taken during the Netball World Cup Qualifiers at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow, Scotland 2022.

Praising the Netball Scotland organisation, she continued, “ I have absolutely loved my time up in Scotland, I have fallen in love with the country. I think the organisation as a whole have been so open minded in terms of how they have adapted and changed and always been able to think outside the box, I think that is what attracted me to the role in the first place.”

“Claire Nelson was instrumental in getting me into the role and Karen Atkinson has just been incredible to work for and with, full credit to what both of those ladies have done changing the game up in Scotland.”

“The talent we have seen, and not just talking about the players that have come through into the senior squad but also through the age groups. I mean the pathway is something I am so proud to have had just a little bit of an impact on.”

“The likes of Lesley MacDonald, Rachel Cremin, Hayley MacKellar and all the coaches that have worked with those players and the effort they have put in has been huge and we have seen so many fundamental changes that are going to make such an impact on the future of our Thistles programme.”

© Craig Watson

Karen Atkinson, Netball Scotland Performance Director, shared her sentiments: “The impact that Tamsin has had on the Scottish Thistles, our Pathway, and Netball in Scotland is immeasurable. Her influence extends beyond the court through her exceptional knowledge and her ability to set new benchmarks. We feel very fortunate to have had her at the helm for the past cycle and wish her every success in her future endeavours. We’re confident that she will continue to champion netball in Scotland, even from a distance.”

Netball Scotland acknowledges the dedication and passion Tamsin brought to her role. The foundation she laid ensures that the team’s future is in strong hands, and they remain poised for success on the world stage.

In a highly anticipated warm-up match before the forthcoming Netball World Cup, the Scottish Thistles clashed with Wales in a gripping encounter that demonstrated their determination and growth as they prepare for the prestigious tournament in South Africa.

With their sights set on performance rather than winning, the Scottish Thistles approached this warm-up match with a clear goal in mind, as head coach Tamsin Greenway explained. “The goal is always to perform, it’s never about winning at this stage. I mean, the win is nice, but we are trying combinations, and as long as we are performing on the things we are working on, then I’ll be happy.”

The history between the Scottish Thistles and Wales added an extra layer of significance to this encounter. Despite showcasing undeniable talent in previous encounters such as the Commonwealth Games and World Cup qualifiers, the Scottish squad had yet to secure victories against Wales. This match presented an opportunity for them to make a statement.

From the opening whistle, the game unfolded as a display of skill, determination, and resilience from both teams. The scoreboard remained close as both sides exchanged goals and exhibited impressive defensive prowess. The intensity on the court was palpable as the players left no stone unturned in their quest for victory in this warm-up clash.

In the end, Wales emerged victorious with a 56-52 scoreline over the Scottish Thistles. Despite the loss, head coach Tamsin Greenway reflected on the match, emphasising the importance of this particular training camp. “Camp 4 was a really important one for us to measure ourselves against a different opposition. Although I was disappointed with the loss, we had 11 players on court and got to try out some styles of play we’d been working on. Wales challenged us in so many ways and has really helped us with our preparation a few weeks out from the Netball World Cup. We have one more camp to go!”

09.07.23 – Welsh Feathers v Scottish Thistles, Netball World Cup Warm-up Match –

09.07.23 – Welsh Feathers v Scottish Thistles, Netball World Cup Warm-up Match –

Several standout performances caught the eye of the head coach. Emma Love and Emma Barrie, who entered the match and made significant contributions, showcased their skill and impact on the game. Additionally, Iona, who handled the physicality she faced admirably, and Cerys Finn, returning to the court after an ankle injury, were noted for their contributions to the team’s performance.

With another camp on the horizon, the Scottish Thistles are focused on their continued preparations before flying out to Cape Town at the end of the month. Follow their journey on social media to show your support for Scotland as they gear up for the highly anticipated Netball World Cup.