Lightning head coach to help Scottish Thistles ahead of Commonwealth Games

LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Sara Francis-Bayman will join Scottish Thistles’ coaching team as it steps up its preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Francis-Bayman, lwill bring expertise and passion to head coach Tamsin Greenway’s backroom team in her new role as assistant coach, while also continuing her duties at Lightning.

Francis-Bayman is no stranger to the Scotland side as she played alongside many of the Thistles athletes as a Strathclyde Siren player in the 2018 Vitality Netball Superleague season.

After retiring at the end of that season, she was appointed as head coach at Loughborough Lightning, leading the team to the semi-finals in her inaugural campaign before winning the competition last year.

An ex-England Roses athlete, Francis-Bayman had an accomplished playing career, including a season in New Zealand with Central Pulse where she made the Grand Final.

Greenway said: “Sara and I both came through the highperformance programme at Bath and played together for a long time.

“She is a smart, driven individual who knows how to win and more importantly knows how to get the best out of players.

“After her season at Sirens, she understands the setup here, what works and what needs to be pushed on.

“I know the players will be excited to have someone with her class on board and I can’t wait to start working with her this summer.”

Francis-Bayman said: “Scotland are a rapidly improving team who have a huge amount of potential and I’m looking forward to working with Tamsin to help them to challenge at the highest level.”

“I’ve known both Tamsin and Karen for a long time and couldn’t miss this opportunity.”