Thistles announced for Celtic Cup
Head Coach Kath Tetley has announced her maiden squad for the upcoming Celtic Cup competition with 6 players in line to make their debut if called upon.
Scottish Thistle’s head coach Kath Tetley has announced her maiden squad for the upcoming Celtic Cup competition including six players in line to make their debut if called upon.
The 15 player squad trained together this weekend at the Emirates Arena allowing new head coach Tetley her first chance to have all players under the same roof as they prepare for the 7-10th November tournament held at the arena.
45-time capped defender Emily Nicholl is the most experienced member of the squad having made her debut during the 2016 season. Attacker Niamh McCall is another eight-year veteran named in the squad who will be looking to add to her tally of 36 caps in the Thistles’ dress. Thistle #208, 28-year-old Wing Attack/Centre Kelly Boyle rounds out the veteran contingent.
At 194cm Goal Shooter Emma Barrie is the tallest player named in the squad. There are potential milestones for Wing Attack/Centre Iona Christian and Centre/Wing Defence Hannah Leighton who both sit on 23 caps.
Aberdeen’s Emma Love is named just 16 months on from her debut at the Netball World Cup. And the two most recent Thistles’ Hannah Grant and Cerys Finn, both Goal Defence/Goal Keeper, will be looking to cement their position after being named in the squad once again.
Six players are in line to make their debut in the Thistle if called upon. Erin Bolland, Evie Watts, Charlotte Dunkley, Zara Flett, Alice McGeachey and Anna Fairclough will all be pushing to become Thistle #227 when the tournament commences on 7 November.
Announcing the squad, Head Coach, Kath Tetley said: “We have named a great group of players, after a really tough selection process.
“During the Celtic Cup we may see some new players don the Thistle and we’re looking forward to seeing them take any opportunity when called upon with two hands and plenty of Scottish pride.
“The squad has fresh faces, lots of exciting talent and I think that they are going to play a brand of netball that the netball fans and our Thistle family are going to love – fierce, fast and heaps of heart.
“It’s great that our first tournament will be on home soil. We can’t wait to run out in front of a home crowd, waving that Saltire and showcasing the netballing talent that Scotland.”
The 15 player squad will be reduced to the playing side of 12 the week prior to the competition.
SCOTTISH THISTLES
Emma Barrie – GSErin Bolland – WD/CKelly Boyle – C/WAIona Christian – WA/CCharlotte Dunkley – GS/GAAnna Fairclough – GD/GKCerys Finn – GK/GDZara Flett – GA/WAHannah Grant – WD/GDHannah Leighton – C/WDGemma Love – WA/GANiamh McCall – GA/GSAlice McGeachey – WD/GDEmily Nicholl – GD/WD/GKEvie Watts – GA/WA
Get your tickets now and support the Thistles at the Celtic Cup in Glasgow between the 7th and 10th of November.
Northern Ireland and Wales have both also named their squads for the Celtic Cup:
NI Warriors Squad: Ana Mulholland, Ciara Crosbie, Emma Magee, Evelyn McCagherty, Fionnuala Toner, Frances Keenan, Georgie McGrath, Lauren Walshe, Maria McCann, Michelle Magee, Niamh Cooper, Orla McGeough, Orlaith Rogers, and Rosa McCloskey.
Welsh Feathers Squad: Vicky Booth, Bethan Dyke, Celyn Emanuel, Lucy Howells, Alex Johnson, Nansi Kuti, Zoe Matthewman, Leah Middleton, Caris Morgan, Ellen Morgan, Megan Pilkington, Georgia Rowe, Poppy Tydeman, and Phillipa Yarranton.
