Netball Scotland CEO Ken Hay has joined with other netballing nations to welcome the vision and plans for a new two-year cycle for the Netball World Cup.

“We believe that the game will benefit from more content, games, competition and collaboration – something that we are fully committed to in Scotland”, said Hay.

“The benefits for the global netball communities will be felt with more ways in which to see the game, and be inspired by the teams, countries and athletes on the global stage.  Along with my fellow CEOs, we can’t wait to support the evolution of the game and be part of the next era.  This aligns closely with Netball Scotland’s vision and plans for the growth of the game.”

Scottish Thistles Head Coach and Performance Director Kath Tetley feels strongly about the growth of the game and the performance development that the new plans for events and competitions bring to the game.

“I am thrilled for the players and fans of netball.  More netball brings more opportunities and for the next generation of Scottish Thistles coming through the pathway – this is a great innovation. As a proud coach and passionate fan of our game globally – I could not be happier”, said Tetley.

“The key to success for teams and indiv

iduals is the chance to apply their skills and we work incredibly hard to find ways in which to give ourselves as much international competition as possible – now we can come together globally, more regularly, which strengthens all regions, players and umpires world-wide.”

See the full World Netball media release below:

World Netball (WN) Announces Biennial Netball World Cup (NWC) and Inaugural Men’s NWC.

Scottish Thistle Netball Players Celebrate Agnes O’Brien’s 80th Birthday

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.

A Remarkable Netball Career

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

A Heartwarming Reunion

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

A Special Tribute

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

A Lasting Legacy

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.

U21 Captaincy: Building Confidence

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.

The Transition: Finding Confidence

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

The Resilience Factor: Overcoming Challenges

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

Influential Figures: Mentors and Coaches

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.”

Aspirations with the Thistles: Looking Ahead

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.

Netball Scotland is thrilled to unveil the Scottish Thistles’ long squad for the upcoming 2023/2024 season, following an intense selection process. The trials, held earlier this month under the guidance of former Head Coach Tamsin Greenway, were the most fiercely competitive to date.

The Scottish Thistles and Scotland A Squads for 2023/2024 are as follows:

Scottish Thistles:

– Emma Barrie

– Cerys Cairns

– Bethan Goodwin

– Niamh McCall

– Emma Love

– Jazmine Moore

– Kelly Boyle

– Hannah Leighton

– Iona Christian

– Sarah MacPhail

– Erin Bolland

– Hannah Grant

– Emily Nicholl

– Rachel Conway

– Cerys Finn

– Anna Fairclough

Scotland A:

– Charlotte Dunkley

– Zara Flett

– Lucy Gaw

– Mia Mathewson

– Gill Thomson

– Alice McGeachy

– Felicity Rome

Netball Scotland’s Performance Director, Karen Atkinson expressed excitement, saying, “The strength and depth within Scottish netball has never been better, which made this the most competitive selection process to date.”

Over the past year, the growth in talent coming through the Scottish pathway has been inspiring as many athletes have stepped up and delivered on the international stage.

“We have made significant changes to our pathway set-up, enhancing the development of the athletes through quality training and competition opportunities.  This is now having a positive effect with athletes being able to challenge for places and step up to Senior level.” Atkinson adds.

“It is exciting to see Erin [Bolland], Jazmine [Moore], and Anna [Fairclough] make the step up to the Thistles squad following impressive displays at U21 level, along with Cerys Finn, Cerys Cairns and Hannah Grant who all featured at the Netball World Cup and have shown consistent performances when called into the Thistles squad.”

“The athletes that have returned from the World Cup are hungrier than ever to make progress on the world stage. The entire squad is still very young, with multiple cycles ahead of them, and we can’t wait to see their development over the next few years.”

“It is also first-time call ups into the senior environment for Lucy Gaw, Charlotte Dunkley, Zara Flett and Felicity Rome having been named in the Scotland A squad.  All four have shown the potential at age-group level to become a future Thistle.” Atkinson adds.”

Late Trials

Chloe Carchrie and Kaitlin Lawrence will have the opportunity to trial following their current rehab and return to training plans.

Future Thistles

In light of Head Coach Tamsin Greenway’s departure last month, Netball Scotland will be actively searching for a new Head Coach, with recruitment expected in early 2024.

Today Claire Maxwell announced her retirement from netball.

In the world of netball, one name shines brightly above all others when it comes to the Scottish Thistles – Claire Maxwell. Her remarkable journey from a young girl with a dream to the most capped player and captain of the national team is an inspiring tale of dedication, passion, and unwavering support from her loved ones.

Claire’s netball journey began in the most humble of settings – her primary school in Aberdeen. It was there that she first picked up a netball under the watchful eye of a special coach – her own mother. Little did they know that this would be the first step on a journey that would see Claire represent her country on the international stage.

As her talent blossomed, so did her commitment to the sport. Traveling from Aberdeen to Glasgow for training camps showcased her determination to improve and reach the highest level of the game. This dedication did not go unnoticed, and in 2009, Claire earned her first cap for the Scottish Thistles, a defining moment in her netball career. Her debut match against Wales marked the beginning of an incredible 14-year journey with the national team and an incredible 128 caps.

Reflecting on her illustrious career, Claire shared her thoughts after her final match against Wales, where she captained her squad to their highest final ranking at a netball World Cup since 1991. She said, “My time in a Thistle dress after an amazing 14 years has come to an end. As a young girl, playing for Scotland was a dream of mine. To become the most capped player and captain of our National Team is something I could never have imagined, and to have shared a small part of my time in the dress with my daughter has been an honour.”

It is evident that Claire’s family played a crucial role in supporting her throughout her career. She acknowledged the unwavering support from her husband and family, who allowed her to pursue her dreams and achieve greatness on the netball court. Her success is a testament to the importance of a strong support system in achieving one’s goals.

Throughout her journey, Claire formed strong bonds with her teammates, coaches, and the passionate Thistle Army – the dedicated fans who rallied behind the team. Addressing all those who contributed to her success, she expressed her gratitude, saying, “To all my current and ex-teammates, the Thistle Army, coaches, support staff, you have all shaped me into becoming the person I am off and on the court. I’m truly grateful for everyone who has supported me, and I can’t wait to be the next generation of Thistles players’ biggest supporter!”

03/08/22 NEC Arena – Birmingham
Commonwealth Games
Scotland v Barbados
© Craig Watson

Her impact on the sport extended beyond the court, as she embraced leadership roles and served as an inspiration to aspiring netball players across Scotland. Her dedication to the game and the values she embodies have left their mark on the sport’s landscape.

In recognition of her incredible contributions, Tamsin Greenway, head coach of Scottish Thistles shared her thoughts, saying, “Claire has been the ultimate Thistles on and off the court. Her commitment to the team and the sport is unmatched, and she has been an inspiration to everyone around her. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of Thistles players to come.”

Lesley MacDonald echoed those sentiments as both a team mate and most recently her Head Coach at Strathclyde Sirens; “When I first saw ‘Brownie’ at a national summer camp when she 14-15 years old, we knew she would play for Scotland one day but wow what a career. I have had the privilege to play against, be her teammate and coach brownie over her career and what a phenomenal player and individual.
I’m delighted that she has finished leading the thistles to one of their best ever finish at a World Cup, finishing at the top of her game.
A true legend of our sport who inspires and will continue to inspire young netballers to be the next “Claire Maxwell”
Thank you ‘Brownie’.”

The Chair of Netball Scotland Board also had words of praise for Claire, stating, ” Claire has been an outstanding player and leader for the Scottish Thistles. She is known for her resilience and determination on court and her motivation and commitment off court. Claire is a role model to so many people in netball in Scotland and we would like to thank her for all the amazing moments she has given us in the record 128 games representing the Scottish Thistles. A legend.”

As Claire Maxwell closes this chapter of her netball career, she leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and shape the sport in Scotland for years to come. Her journey from being coached by her mum in primary school to becoming the most capped player for the Scottish Thistles is a remarkable tale of passion, perseverance, and the power of dreams. We celebrate Claire’s achievements and eagerly anticipate her future endeavours as she takes on the role of the next generation’s biggest Thistles supporter!

Tomorrow will mark the penultimate day of the Netball World Cup in South Africa. As the top four teams advance to their semi-finals, Scotland are focused on their own goal-medal match with historic rivals Wales.

Scotland will play off with Wales for 9^th/10^th final standing and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Since Greenway took over in 2020, the growth of her squad has been evident, but they are yet to come out victorious against their long-standing rivals. However, Scottish Thistles have been doing their homework before their final match of the tournament, Greenway explains;

” I have been looking at a lot of video, this is the last piece of the puzzle for us.”

“We are evenly matched in lots of ways of how we play the game, they have far more experience that us. They have a group of seven players who when they take to court have all played first team Super League this year, we don’t.”

31/07/22 NEC Arena – Birmingham
Commonwealth Games
Netball
Scotland v Wales
Claire Maxwell
© Craig Watson
Craig Watson,
www.craigwatson.co.uk

“We don’t match up well with some of the ways they play defensively, I think that’s something that you can only get better at when you mentally shift and that is something we have been trying to do.”

With a strategic approach to the game, Greenway is confident they have all the tools needed to get the game over the line;

“I think we have given them every opportunity to play this final game against Wales. We have played them at Commonwealth Games and again at World Cup Qualifiers and in our build up to coming out here.”

Watch the match live on Sky Sports:

Scotland v Wales

9^th/10^th Playoff

Saturday 5^th August

5pm UK Time