Perthto hostthe WorldCup qualifiers

Perth College UHI’s Academy of Sport and Wellbeing will host the European Netball World Cup Qualifiers next year.

Netball fans will have court-side access to one of the most exciting events on the sport’s calendar, being held in January.

With two Netball World Cup spots up for grabs, it’s set to be a dramatic weekend as Scotland battle it out against rivals Wales and Northern Ireland.

Dr Margaret Cook, principal of Perth College UHI, said: “We are very proud to be hosting such a prestigious event at our new Academy of Sport and Wellbeing at Perth College UHI and we are delighted to be bringing an event of this importance to the city of Perth.”

Netball Scotland’s head of performance and Scottish Thistles’ head coach, Gail Parata, said: “Only three teams from the European region have the opportunity to qualify for the Netball World Cup (NWC), and as England automatically qualify as the host nation it’s now down to the three remaining home nation teams to battle it out for the final two spots, and Scotland are planning and preparing to take one of them.

“It will, however, be a very tough challenge as both Wales and Northern Ireland are formidable opponents.

“We will be calling on all of our Thistle Army supporters from across Scotland to come to Perth and help us achieve our target.”

This will be the first time Netball Scotland have teamed up with Perth College UHI to deliver an international event.

The qualifiers will take place in Perth from January 19-21, 2018.