Scottish Thistles head coach Tamsin Greenway says East Kilbride’s Nicola McCleery is a vital part of her squad after a winning test series.
The 26-year-old, who is principle teacher of health and wellbeing at Trinity High School in Cambuslang, earned another Scotland appearance last week as Greenway’s side enjoyed a successful home test series against Barbados Bajan Gems, winning the two games 74-32 and 74-35.
A sell-out crowd was anticipated for the nation’s first home international test matches in almost two years, with McCleery coming on to appear in the victories over Barbados.
The former EK Netball Club star received her first senior cap in 2016 after a successful junior career that included the 2013 World Youth Cup. Nicola made her Commonwealth Games debut in 2018 where, after wins over Barbados and Wales, Scotland achieved a 9th place finish in Australia.
Former England international Greenway says McCleery is key to her plans. She said: “Nicola is crucial. One thing we have spoken about as a squad is having that depth.
“It’s not just about the same faces we have been used to seeing for such a long time. If we really want to go where we want to go and back up our rankings at a major competition, bridging that gap on the teams above us, we need more than seven players.
“What I’ve been really proud about with Nicola is that she’s taken her opportunities really well.
“She’s slotted into the squad brilliantly. All the new members have all been welcomed.
“The culture off court has been brilliant and she’s taken everything we’ve asked onboard. She is huge for us.”
Strathclyde Sirens star McCleery is aiming to be a part of the Scotland squad at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.
To reach the event in 2022, you must be ranked in the world’s top 12 and Scotland sit eighth, while Barbados are 13th.
Greenway says that there are some exciting positives to take from the week, adding: “We were really pleased with how it all went. We have been wanting a public test series for a long time.
“When you take on this role - and we speak about it with the players - it’s not just about the performances we are putting on, it’s about the bigger brand of netball in Scotland.
“It’s been over 900 days since there was a home series in Scotland so to have that, and show people what we have been doing over the last 18 months, it was a really successful week.”
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