College secures senior international netball event

Perth College UHI, in partnership with Netball Scotland and through its new state-of-the art Academy of Sport and Wellbeing have secured two major senior international netball events for the city, the first for the sport of netball to be held in Perth for over 30 years.

The agreement between both parties was officially endorsed by Dr Margaret Cook, Principal and CEO, Perth College UHI; Claire Nelson, CEO, Netball Scotland and Gareth McKenna, Commercial Manager, Academy of Sport and Wellbeing.

The first event will be held on the 2 and 3 December, with a two-game test series against Samoa.

The test matches will not only be part of the preparation for the Scottish Thistles towards the Commonwealth Games, in the Gold Coast in April next year, they will also provide important match practice for the second of the international events the European-World Cup Qualifiers, which will be held on the 19/20/21 January.

The World Cup Qualifiers will involve Scotland, Ireland and Wales vying for 2 qualifying positions at the World Cup in Liverpool in 2019. The event is of significant importance to each country and will provide world-class netball across the three days for the netball community in the City.

Dr Margaret Cook, Principal and CEO of Perth College UHI said:

“We look forward to welcoming with Netball Scotland our guests from as far away as Samoa, Ireland and Wales. We are delighted to play our part in bringing major events to Perth and we will use these events not only to showcase world class sport but also to showcase our College, our students and the City of Perth.”

Claire Nelson, CEO Netball Scotland added:

“The Test Series against Samoa and the World Cup Qualifiers are critical to our Commonwealth Games preparation and we can promise spectators an incredible series of top class netballing action. I am delighted to be bringing the Scottish Thistles to Perth. We look forward to seeing the Thistle army out in force to support our athletes in these vital international events.”

Gareth McKenna, Commercial Manager Academy of Sport and Wellbeing stated:

“We are delighted to have secured these 2 major international netball events and we are working with many NGB‘s to build sustainable partnerships. With Netball Scotland we are working with a modern, forward thinking and dynamic body and we are delighted and honoured to bring international senior netball to Perth for first time in 30 years.”