International netball heading to Perth

PERTH is to host senior international netball for the first time in more than 30 years, with the matches to be played at the £6 million Perth College UHI academy of sport and wellbeing.

The agreement between the college and Netball Scotland has been endorsed by Margaret Cook, principal of Perth College UHI; Claire Nelson, chief executive of Netball Scotland; and Gareth McKenna, commercial manager at the academy of sport and wellbeing.

The first event will be held over December 2-3, with a two-game test series against Samoa. The test matches will provide important match practice for the second of the international events, the European World Cup qualifiers, which will be held from January 19-21.

The qualifiers will involve Scotland, Ireland and Wales, vying for two qualifying positions at the World Cup to be held at Liverpool in 2019.

The event is of significant importance to each country and will provide world class netball across the three days for fans of the sport.

Mr McKenna, of the Crieff Road academy of sport and wellbeing, said they were “delighted” to be bringing international senior netball to Perth for the first time in three decades.

Ms Cook said the events were a coup for the academy and would help put the facilities on the map.

She added: “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.”

Ms Nelson added: “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.”

Tickets will be released in the coming weeks.