The Scottish Thistles will celebrate their return to Glasgow’s Emirates Arena when they face the Bajan Gems in an-action packed test series in on 2-3 December.

This two-match clash is the nation’s first official World Netball ranking contest under new Head Coach Greenway since her appointment in 2020.

Of the squad selected in November, nine will play in the VNSL next season. Strathclyde Sirens are the most heavily represented club while Celtic Dragons and Wasps also have one player included.

The full squad is as follows: 

Niamh McCall, Emma Barrie, Bethan Goodwin, Hannah Leighton, Kalea Stagg, Nicola McCleery, Iona Christian, Claire Maxwell (C), Sara MacPhail, Rachel Conway, Emily Nicholl (VC), Caitlin Pringle.

Greenway, who took the reins in early 2021 with Assistant Coach Sara Francis-Bayman joining the coaching team earlier this year, said: “It has been a huge focus of ours to get greater exposure to nations across the world as we build towards the bigger picture.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our players to finally get some test match exposure, under pressure against tough opposition and we really look forward to the challenge.”

Thistles captain Claire Maxwell said: “I’m incredibly excited to wear the Thistles dress in an official Test and in front of our Thistles Army. Playing for our country and in front of fans is something we will never take for granted.”

Thistles, ranked eighth in the world, take on the 13th ranked Bajan Gems as part of a UK tour by the Caribbean side. The international series will be the first netball matches back at the Emirates since the Covid pandemic struck.

CEO of Netball Scotland and Strathclyde Sirens, Claire Nelson, said: “The return of International netball to Scotland has been a long time in the making. Being an indoor, team, contact sport we were heavily impacted by the effects of Covid and our national team has lost precious training and playing time in the build-up to next year’s Commonwealth Games.

“This event marks a critical milestone in our recovery and rebuild, both on and off the court. But more importantly, it represents an opportunity to showcase women’s sport and athletes at a time when the country really needs to shine a greater light on them.”

Follow @NetballSL on Twitter, Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest Vitality Netball Superleague news. Buy Season Opener 2022 tickets here.