Thistles confirmed for Glasgow

Team Scotland have confirmed the players that will be taking part in the Netball.

The Scottish Thistles have named a 12-player squad for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, bringing together major-event experience, emerging talent and a powerful home-Games storyline.

The group features a strong core of established Thistles, with Bethan Goodwin, Niamh McCall and Emily Nicholl all selected for their third Commonwealth Games. Between them, the trio bring more than 160 international caps and a wealth of experience from previous Games, Netball World Cup campaigns and domestic competition.

Nicholl, one of the most recognisable figures in Scottish netball, will again be central to the Thistles’ defensive effort. A fierce competitor and natural leader, she is joined in the defensive end by Rachel Conway, who prepares for her second Games after recently graduating as a doctor, alongside exciting young defender Cerys Finn and the ever-determined Hannah Grant.

Finn arrives at Glasgow 2026 as one of Scotland’s brightest defensive prospects. Since making her Thistles debut in 2022, she has featured in 26 consecutive Test matches and comes into the squad after being part of Manchester Thunder’s Premiership-winning season. Grant, meanwhile, has continued to develop her game through experience in the NSW Premier League in Sydney, Australia and will make her Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow.

In attack, Scotland will look to the height and presence of Emma Barrie, the experience and accuracy of Goodwin, and the versatility of McCall, who remains one of the Thistles’ most accomplished front-court players. McCall’s long-range shooting in the Netball Super League was a feature and adds another valuable attacking option for Scotland.

Cerys Cairns brings flexibility to the attacking end, with the ability to play at goal attack and wing attack. Her movement, timing and growing influence within the Thistles set-up have made her an important part of Scotland’s attacking combinations, and Glasgow 2026 will mark her first Commonwealth Games appearance.

The midcourt combines experience, speed and energy. Iona Christian and Hannah Leighton both return for their second Commonwealth Games, offering athleticism, defensive pressure and creativity through the centre third. Christian’s vision and ability to set the tempo in attack will be key, while Leighton’s aerial athleticism has made her a regular presence in the national side since her debut in 2021.

They are joined by Lexy Gillies and Jazmine Moore, two of the five players in the squad set to make their first Commonwealth Games appearance. Gillies, who made her Thistles debut in February 2025 against Papua New Guinea, has impressed with her pace, strength and ability to connect play through the midcourt. Moore, a former Scotland U21 international, brings speed, energy and sharp decision-making after making her senior debut in 2025.

With 389 caps across the squad, Scotland head into Glasgow 2026 with a balance of proven performers and players ready to experience their first major Games on home soil.

The squad will be led by Head Coach Kath Tetley, alongside Assistant Coach Lesley MacDonald, as Scotland prepare to compete in front of a home crowd at one of the biggest events on the international netball calendar.

The team will play the first match of the tournament against New Zealand on July 25 followed by pool matches against Wales, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda and Jamaica.

For the Thistles, this is more than another international tournament. It is a rare opportunity to compete at a Commonwealth Games in Scotland, in front of Scottish supporters, and to showcase the strength, depth and ambition of the national programme.

Scottish Thistles Glasgow 2026 squad

Emma Barrie – GS – Thistle #219 – 43 caps
Cerys Cairns – GA/WA – Thistle #212 – 20 caps
Iona Christian – C/WA – Thistle #220 – 33 caps
Rachel Conway – GK/GD – Thistle #213 – 33 caps
Cerys Finn – GD/GK – Thistle #225 – 26 caps
Lexy Gillies – C/WD – Thistle #230 – 8 caps
Bethan Goodwin – GS/GA – Thistle #206 – 51 caps
Hannah Grant – WD/GD – Thistle #224 – 25 caps
Hannah Leighton – WD/C – Thistle #221 – 34 caps
Niamh McCall – GA/GS – Thistle #207 – 51 caps
Jazmine Moore – WA/C – Thistle #229 – 4 caps
Emily Nicholl – GD/WD – Thistle #204 – 61 caps

Reserves
Anna Fairclough – GD/WD – Thistle #230 – 2 caps
Erin Bolland – WD/C – uncapped
Rebecca Macdonald – GS/GA – uncapped