Perth netball star Cerys Cairns again earns Scotland team selection

A Perth netball star has earned her latest national call-up after continuing to impress selectors.

Cerys Cairns has been named in the Scottish Thistles’ long squad for the 2023/2024 season.

The trials, held last month under the guidance of former head coach Tamsin Greenway, were said to be the most fiercely competitive to date.

Cerys, a former Perth Academy student, plays at club level for Strathclyde Sirens and her favoured positions are either goal shoot or goal attack.

Earlier this year she ticked off an impressive milestone moment in her journey by being selected to represent her country at the Netball World Cup.

Cerys was part of the 12-player squad for the high-profile event in Cape Town, South Africa and was delighted to make her debut at it. She has also been handed the honour of vice-captaining the national U21 team at the Netball Europe Championships in Sheffield.

Now she is set to continue her rise in the game after another full senior call-up.

Netball Scotland’s performance director, Karen Atkinson, said: “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.”

She added: “Cerys Finn, Cerys Cairns and Hannah Grant, who all featured at the Netball World Cup, have shown consistent performances when