THE Scottish Thistles have announced a new sponsorship deal today, while revealing their World Cup squad and a new look kit.
As the squad prepare for the Netball World Cup in Sydney next month, Netball Scotland CEO, Maggie Murray, welcomed new sponsor, the Edinburgh-based investment management company, Kames Capital.
The sponsorship was supported by £8,500 from sportscotland.
“Kames Capital’s support will help ensure that the Scottish Thistles have the best preparation possible for this summer’s World Cup,” said Maggie Murray.
“At Netball Scotland we are constantly challenging conventional thinking on female sport and Kames Capital has made a fantastic commitment to support a minority sport that is growing in prominence in Scotland.
“We are also delighted that this sponsorship has been boosted by sportsmatch funds of £8,500 from sportscotland.”
Iain Speirs, head of Marketing and chair of the Community Investment Programme at Kames Capital, said:
“Netball Scotland’s ambition is to be the first choice sport for girls and women in Scotland – a bold, long-term vision that needs investment to match the ambition and hard work of its netball community. Their values of respect, courage and excellence resonate with ours.
“Kames Capital is proud to support the Scottish national team. We have also chosen to invest in the young netball players of the future and are now the lead sponsor for the Kames Thistles Netball Camps for nine-to-15 year-olds, to be held throughout Scotland in 2015 and 2016.”
Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, said: “Netball Scotland has seen a massive 58 per cent increase in membership over the past four years and we are working together to provide more opportunities to meet this growing demand.
“The training camps will provide more and better opportunities for young people to take part in the sport and this is why we are delighted to award them £8,500 from our sportsmatch fund.”
The full Netball World Cup Thistles squad is: Hayley Mulheron (captain), Claire Brownie (vice-captain), Rachel Forbes, Lynsey Gallagher, Lesley MacDonald, June McNeill, Fiona Moore-McGrath, Samantha Murphy, Jo Pettitt, Gemma Sole, Bethany Sutherland and Fiona Themann.
Coach, Gail Parata, said: “I am confident that we have the best netball athletes in Scotland to compete at what will be Scotland’s 13th World championships appearance.
“Eleven of the 12 Scottish Thistles selected were in the Commonwealth Games team so I am pleased to have that continuity. One year on and they are fitter, stronger and faster and their Commonwealth Games experience will make them better for the World Cup.
“The 12th athlete is our youngest member, Bethany Sutherland, who has recently turned 18. She has worked hard and improved immensely over the past year and deserves her place in the squad.”
The Thistles leave Scotland on July 26 for a pre-competition training camp hosted by Netball Tasmania, where they will play an exhibition match with Wales on August 1.
For more information or interview/photographic or film requirements, please contact:
Maggie Ritchie, press officer, Netball Scotland.
07989 962 465 / 0141 423 8500
Email: maggie.mallon@btconnect.com
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