NETBALL SCOTLAND have pulled off a major coup, with the news that former England internationalist Tamsin Greenway has been appointed as head coach of the Scottish national team, the Scottish Thistles.

Greenway has an impressive pedigree as both a player and a coach and will be seen as a huge asset to the Scottish game.

During her playing career, she represented England for over a decade, picking up two Commonwealth bronze medals as well as silver at the World Netball Series.

As a coach, she led Wasps Netball to two Grand Slam victories and a Superleague title.

Her appointment to the Scottish Thistles will be her first time leading a senior national side, with her side’s next competitive appearance due to be the Netball Europe Open Championship against England, Wales and Northern Ireland which will take place in Glasgow in August.

However, Greenway’s long-term energies likely to be focused on the side’s performance at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the Netball World Cup the following year.

Scotland are currently ranked eighth in the world but finished in ninth place at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

“I’m very excited to become the Scottish Thistles National Coach and to be taking the next step on my coaching journey,” said Greenway.

“To coach internationally was the ultimate goal and to be given the chance to work with such a forward-thinking nation both on and off the court was a perfect opportunity. I look forward to working with both the players and the organisation over the next few years and to get back doing what I love best on the netball courts.”

Greenway will be working closely with the technical director of Scotland’s only professional club side, the Strathclyde Sirens, as well as Netball Scotland’s High Performance Coaching Group which is led by Lesley MacDonald, where the Englishwoman will help design and deliver a training and competition programme for players throughout the country.

Claire Nelson, CEO of Netball Scotland, admits she is thrilled to have added a coach of such calibre to the set-up in this country.

“I am beyond thrilled to be able to announce this exciting appointment for Scotland,” said Nelson.

“We are an ambitious nation who have achieved so much in a short space of time, but in order to truly emerge into a top netballing nation both on and off the court it is critical that we continue to enhance our leadership and technical capability with world class expertise – and Tamsin Greenway brings this in abundance. Not only is she an innovative coach and tactical specialist, but she also inspires and empowers teams to achieve their full potential. The combination of Tamsin Greenway and Karen Atkinson leading our performance programme gives Scotland one of the most exciting, experienced and dynamic coaching teams in world netball, and evidences our absolute drive and commitment to leading Scottish netball into a new era of on court success on the world stage.

“I am looking forward to seeing Tamsin lead the Thistles at home for the first time in August when we host the Netball Europe Open Championship at the Emirates Arena, and I want to see all of our amazing Thistles Army fans out in force to give her the huge welcome she so richly deserves.”