Commonwealth Games 2022: Team Scotland announce Thistles squad for netball matches

The Scottish Thistles netball squad for this summer’s Commonwealth Games has been named.

A group of 12 players will travel to Birmingham to represent Scotland at the event, with Claire Maxwell selected as captain.

The other 11 women selected are Emily Nicholl (vice captain), Lynsey Gallagher, Niamh McCall, Emma Barrie, Iona Christian, Hannah Leighton, Sarah MacPhail, Lauren Tait, Rachel Conway, Bethan Goodwin and Kelly Boyle.

The team will be coached by Tamsin Greenway, who will be taking charge of her first Commonwealth Games.

She said: “Playing at the Commonwealth Games is a huge achievement and highlight for any international netballer. Representing the Thistles and being part of Team Scotland is very special moment and we look forward to seeing what we can achieve on and off the court.”

Maxwell will be captain for a second time, after leading the team at Gold Coast four years ago, and said: “We are so excited as a collective to have been chosen to represent Team Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. To be named as Captain of the Scottish Thistles is a real honour and I'm excited to lead such an exciting squad. This team is full of ambitious and driven athletes, and we are working hard to meet our aim of finishing within the top eight.”

The Thistles are in Group A alongside Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, Wales and Barbados, and Greenway knows they face some sterns tests.

“We are under no illusions of the challenges we will face in what is an extremely competitive group,” she added. “The players are excited about the prospect and are pushing hard preparing for the competition.”

Scotland’s first match is on Saturday, July 30 against Australia.