Perth’s Cerys Cairns has been selected to represent Scotland at the Netball World Cup.
The former Perth Academy student was this week named in the 12-player Scottish Thistles squad for the high-profile event which will this year take place in Cape Town, South Africa.
Cairns, who plays for Strathclyde Sirens as goal attack or goal shoot, will jet out with the national team for the tournament between July 28 and August 6.
It will be the 21-year-old’s first experience of a Netball World Cup, along with six others in the squad.
She has plenty of experience of representing her country through the age groups and has continued to impress.
Tamsin Greenway, Scottish Thistles head coach, said: “The biggest part of selecting the 12 is looking at the whole picture, who fits in tactically, who covers who, what are the what if’s, what do they bring to the culture?
“It’s so much more than just who plays netball well, the reality is this was the most competitive selection we’ve had since I’ve been in post which means behind the scenes the work we are doing is paying off.”
She continued: “It’s an exciting squad, it’s a group of players that fit the style we want to play both in attack and defence.
“It’s relatively young, but it’s a talented group that is always wanting to learn and achieve more.”
The squad features a mixture of experience and youth, with 320 caps shared amongst the group.
Cairns and her team-mates will begin their World Cup campaign against Malawi Queens on Friday, July 28.
The second clash in Pool B will see Scottish Thistles face the Caribbean style and flair of Barbados, who they beat 72-28 at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Then it will be a Home Nations test with the Vitality Roses on Sunday, July 30.
Coach Greenway added: “It feels good to finally have the squad in place so we can begin working on our plans for the summer.
“The tournament is tough, it’s long and tactically and varied, all I want from the squad is no regrets this time around.
“We learnt a lot about ourselves at the Commonwealth Games, in particular what unsettles us. If we can improve in key areas, then I’ll be happy.”
