In an exciting display of grit, growth, and pure talent, Scotland’s U19 netball squad truly made their mark at Europe Netball’s pilot training event in December 2023.
Head Coach Nikki Lloyd took some time to share her thoughts on the squad’s remarkable performance, the comparison to other home nations, and the exciting future that lies ahead.
Lloyd expressed her immense pride in the squad, remarking, “I am incredibly pleased and proud of the squad’s performance and their determination to learn, grow, and implement our strategies and structures on the court throughout the course of the pilot event.” The squad’s ability to execute strategies and their creative attacking play were standout features. Lloyd commended the players for their grit and determination, particularly during intense moments in matches against Wales and two England sides (U17 & U19).
Off the court, the squad’s unity is evident. They enjoyed their time together and were united in their drive to achieve and represent Scotland. This cohesion translated seamlessly onto the court, where their synergy was a key asset.
U19 Scotland Squad take group pic in dressing room before taking to court
The U19 squad showcased their strength by winning five out of seven games during the competition.
Scotland v Wales: 23-9
England U19 vs Scotland: 22-18
Scotland v Northern Ireland: 26-18
Scotland vs Gibraltar: 29-9
England U17 v Scotland: 24-20
Scotland v Rep of Ireland: 18-16
The matches took on a different format from the traditional four quarters of 15 mins each and instead tested the players’ endurance in two halves of 24 mins games.
The squad were exposed to different challenges and opportunities to deliver against their goals and objectives while staying true to their values and style of play. Lloyd mentioned that the performance at this competition has set high expectations for the team moving forward.
Mid-courter, Mira Tallentire, who played primarily as WA (Wing Attack) with some time at C (Center), shared her insights, saying, “It was a great experience, and we learned as a team throughout the competition. We were challenged physically and mentally, which helped us push through and put out great performances. The score-lines against teams like England really showed our strength as a squad and determination.”
Team huddle at half time – Scotland U19 squad at Europe Netball Pilot U19 training event
Looking ahead, the future is brimming with exciting prospects for these talented athletes. Netball Scotland has ensured a busy and competitive calendar for 2024, with fixtures against some of the same home nations they faced in the pilot event. The squad is determined to use the confidence and momentum gained to deliver outstanding performances.
The opportunity to play at home, earn their first U19 caps, and compete against strong opponents will be significant milestones for these young athletes. Lloyd, alongside a dedicated management team, is eagerly awaiting the challenges that lie ahead.
With a commitment to continuous improvement and learning from the experience gained at the pilot event, the U19 squad is poised for an exceptional year. The upcoming Europe Netball U17 Championships, the World Youth Cup U21 Qualifying event, and the U19 Europe Netball event in 2024 all promise to be critical opportunities for the development of these aspiring netball stars.
As Scotland’s U19 netball squad continues to grow and evolve, their journey is one to watch, filled with promise and determination. The future of netball in Scotland is indeed in capable hands, as these young athletes march confidently towards their goals and dreams.
Players from the Scottish Thistle netball squads of 1983 and 1987 recently came together to celebrate the 80th birthday of a true netball icon, Agnes O’Brien.
Agnes O’Brien, Scottish Thistle #54 played a pivotal role in Scotland’s netball history. She participated in the 1st and 2nd World Cups in 1963 and 1967, managed the team in the 3rd World Cup in 1971, and served as a coach at the 6th and 7th World Cups in 1983 and 1987.
Agnes O’Brien (back row, second from right) in 1st Netball World Cup squad in 1963
The reunion was filled with laughter and cherished memories as players from different eras reconnected.
Beyond her netball skills, Agnes was a mentor and friend to her teammates, offering support both on and off the court.
25/05/22 – Emirates Arena – Glasgow
Netball Scotland welcomes previous players
© Craig Watson
The celebration featured a heartfelt tribute, with Agnes receiving a customised birthday cake complete with a netball, dress and netball figures adorned with the number “80” as a token of gratitude.
Agnes O’Brien, Scottish Thistle #54 celebrates 80th birthday with her Netball Family
Agnes O’Brien’s journey in netball is a testament to the enduring power of the sport and the bonds it creates. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of netball enthusiasts.
Happy 80th birthday, Agnes!
Players from 1983 and 1987 netball cup squads gathered for a surprise party to celebrate Agnes O’Brien 80th Birthday
Erin Bolland’s netball journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment. As the former captain of the U21s and now a member of the Scottish Thistles, Erin shares her insights into her growth and the path that led her to this pivotal point in her career.
Erin’s role as captain of the U21s had a profound impact on her confidence. She reflects, “I think it’s helped my confidence, having the girls trust me so much to take us through the competition and look to you on court it gives you a different sense of confidence.” It wasn’t just about vocal leadership; it was the knowledge that her teammates trusted her on the court.
Transitioning from the U21s to Scottish Thistles was a challenge Erin embraced head-on. She shares, “At the Thistles trials I just went in and focused on myself and my on-court performance.” Erin’s growing self-assurance, honed during her U21 journey, played a crucial role.
netball Scotland U21 v Wales U21
Emirates Arena – Glasgow – 14/04/23 .
© Craig Watson
Erin’s journey wasn’t without its hurdles. She candidly reveals, “I got dropped from everything, I got dropped from institute, I got dropped from the pathways, everything during covid.” However, these setbacks fuelled her determination. Erin’s commitment to her personal development outside of netball strengthened her resolve. She views these challenges as instrumental in making her a stronger, more persevering individual, “Tamsin [Greenway] is the one who made me a stronger person because she didn’t pick me to start but she always said there was a method to her madness and she dropped me which made me like want it more and that was the point of it because I obviously wasn’t showing I wanted it enough.”
Erin Bolland playing against England in Europe Netball U21 Championships
Erin attributes her development to several mentors, coaches, and teammates who believed in her along the way. Her first coach, Sally Erskine, played a pivotal role by believing in Erin and pushing her forward., “she just believed in me so much, she’s the one that put me forward for district and things like that, so she had a big influence.”
Erin also acknowledges the contributions of various coaches and teammates, each adding a unique element to her journey, “every single coach has had a different part to play in my journey like Kym Wharton, she used to be my U17 coach and she believed in me, it’s not really one person it’s just every time I’ve progressed another person has added another thing on that’s just developed me.”
Looking to the future, Erin has her sights set on significant goals with the Thistles. She envisions competing in major events like the Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup. Erin acknowledges that this is the beginning of a new four-year cycle, and she’s committed to continuous improvement, focusing on aspects like fitness and strength. She aims to make her mark in the World Cup qualifiers for U21s, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
Erin Bolland’s journey illustrates that resilience, hard work, and self-belief are key ingredients in achieving your goals in the world of netball. She concludes, “It means a lot to me to be selected, I’ve worked really hard to persevere through all the sort of mental battles and its made me a stronger person so it genuinely does mean a lot to me.”
Erin is also part of Scotstoun Netball Club, Strathclyde University team and Sirens Development Squad. You can catch her in action in National League with Strathclyde Uni 28th Jan as they come up against Dunedin.
1In Round 3 of the National League, the action was nothing short of thrilling, with standout performances and hard-fought battles. Here’s a recap of the matches and some insights from the victorious teams.
In front of their home crowd, Edinburgh Uni continued their dominant campaign this season with another confident win. They showcased their prowess on the court, leaving no room for doubt about their championship aspirations. On the other hand, Dunedin is still in pursuit of their first win this season after facing losses to Bellahouston and Edinburgh Accies.
Emily Nicholl, Edinburgh Uni: “We’ve had a really strong first half of the national league. What has impressed me most about this group is the strength in depth that the uni have created. We are able to rotate players in and out without dropping a beat. They are all fighting to get into that starting 7 so they know they have to make every minute count.”
The Varsity clash between Strathclyde Uni and Glasgow Uni had fans on the edge of their seats. While Strathclyde Uni seemed to have the game sealed by the end of the third quarter, old rivalries ignited a fierce comeback from Glasgow. In the final minutes, Glasgow fought back to within two goals, making it a nail-biting finish. However, Strathclyde Uni held their ground and secured the win.
Cerys Finn, Strathclyde Uni: “Going into that final quater we had a lot of confidence and where aiming just to push on, credits to Glasgow they came back fighting, but we really wanted to win. It had been a very hard game which required the full 60 minutes of work and I think we managed to get over the line in the end because of our mindset, we really wanted to reward all the hard work from everyone, also the little rivalry really fuelled us all.”
In the final match of Round 3, Bellahouston faced off against Edinburgh Accies, reviving memories of their grudge match from the previous season. Bellahouston showed their mettle, delivering a commanding performance and securing victory.
Hannah Grant, Bellahouston: “Our team talk focussed around having confidence and trusting each other, giving the driving ball and trusting our shooters will get on the end of feeds. Our half time changes gave the opposition something different to think about and prevented our play becoming too predictable. This allowed us to go back out on court with the belief we could push out our lead, which we did in the end!”
– Edinburgh Uni 56 vs. Dunedin 24
– Strathclyde Uni 41 vs. Glasgow Uni 36
– Bellahouston 61 vs. Edinburgh Accies 42
The National League continues to captivate fans with its intense competition and exceptional talent. Round 4 looks set to be a huge day as top 2 teams fight it out for top of the table and a good old-fashioned Glasgow Derby kicks us off.
National league table with Edinburgh Uni sitting at top of the table followed closely by Bellahouston in second place on goal difference
Mark your calendars and get ready for another exhilarating round of the National League! On January 28, 2024, the action moves to Glasgow Uni, promising a day filled with top-notch netball competition that you won’t want to miss.
Europe Netball is set to host a groundbreaking U19 pilot training event in December, bringing together aspiring netball players from various countries. This event, held at the prestigious Loughborough University sports campus, promises to be a pivotal moment for young athletes in their journey towards excellence.
Niamh Trainer
Rachel Hughes
Heidi Dawson
Molly Morrisey
Mira Tallentire
Rose Kinsler
Phoebe Haynes
Eva Howitt
Louisa Davidson
McKenna Wilkinson
Ihinosen Ibhanesebhor
The Non-Travelling Reserves are:
Beth Long
Erin Scott
Charlotte Lille
Head Coach: Nikki Lloyd
Assistant Coaches: Frances Youngson & Millie Boyle
Team Manager: Rebecca Gilmour
U19 squads from England, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales will converge at this event. Europe Netball’s commitment to promoting the sport and nurturing young talent is clearly evident in this initiative.
The primary focus of this pilot training event is to provide competitive performance opportunities for U19 netball players, emphasising a developmental approach. Europe Netball recognises the importance of nurturing talent from a young age and is dedicated to offering a platform for these athletes to shine.
Head Coach Nikki Lloyd highlighted, “This opportunity provides a valuable chance for the squad and management to implement our training into a performance competition environment. We have very clear performance goals and objectives, and we look forward to testing ourselves against various nations and focusing on delivering and learning throughout.”
When asked about the expectations of the players, Lloyd responded, “The players are really excited for this opportunity and to challenge themselves against possible WYC2025 opposition, which is a key ambition for them as individuals. They are expecting to be challenged but are determined to put out performances they are proud of against all opposition. They are hungry to learn and grow throughout as a team and individually as we focus on our objectives.”
Lloyd emphasised the importance of this pilot U19 event in bridging the gap in European competition opportunities between U17 and U21, ensuring a continuous momentum in the development of these young athletes. She added, “It also provides the opportunity for these players to experience different elements of high-performance competition, alongside important exposure for our pathway coaches who are key in the development of these athletes.”
Europe Netball’s U19 pilot training event promises to be a stepping stone towards a brighter future for young netball players. As these athletes gather to compete and learn, the event embodies the spirit of growth, development, and determination that defines Europe Netball’s commitment to the sport. While there may be no spectators or live streaming, the impact of this event on the future of netball in Europe is sure to be felt for years to come.
