Netball player Emily Nicholl plays goal and wing defence with UWS Sirens, Scotland’s only professional netball team, and she is also part of Scotland’s national team, the Scottish Thistles.

Originally from Biggar, South Lanarkshire, she now lives in Rutherglen with fellow Siren and Scottish Thistle netballer, Jo Pettitt, just a five-minute drive from the Emirates Arena where they train.

Emily started playing netball at primary school and then at high school but she did not play for a formal club until university. She joined the national team some two years ago.

She said: “I became a player with the Sirens last season in their inaugural year. It was such a huge step forward in Scottish netball that I couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to play against the best netballers in the country week in, week out.”

Some of her major successes in netball include her first cap for Scotland in May 2016. She is also delighted to be picked to be part of Team Scotland for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018.

Emily said: “It really is a dream come true to go to GC2018. As a team, we will be looking to performances to be proud of.

“For us, that means chasing after every loose ball, minimising our errors and putting what we’ve been practising in training out on the big stage.

“The Thistles are all about playing with pride and passion.”

Read the recent Scotsman article Emily is eager to prove Netball Scotland’s progress at 2018 Games.

Emily with team mate Nicola McCleery.

Emily also enjoys being part of a team sport. She says: “We are like a family. We spend every day together and, no matter what, I know that my teammates have my back. I also love that netball is constantly evolving and becoming a faster and more physical game.”

While Emily has a law degree and a diploma in professional legal practice, and was on track to start her traineeship last September, she decided to take a year out to focus on netball. As well as playing full-time, Emily works with Netball Scotland as a teacher and educator.

She said: “I deliver a programme called Sirens for Success to around eight schools each week. It is work with disengaged and inactive girls, covering topics such as resilience, alcohol, smoking, body image and the benefits of activity. Alongside the educational side I also teach the girls how to play netball.”

Both Nicola and Emily, as well as team member Jo Pettitt, will play at GC2018.

Emily has great aspirations as a netballer. He says: “I aim to be the best netballer I can be. I believe that if I push myself to be the best I can be at every session then any accolades will follow.”

ACT will be personally sponsoring Emily. She says: “I’ve never had any personal sponsorships so to be sponsored by ACT is a huge privilege. It’s a great way for netball to get some publicity and promote female sport.”

We look forward to keeping track of Emily and Scottish netball.