Lynsey Gallagher, one of the stars of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, is excited that Netball will be part of Team Scotland for their second successive Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next year. The sport has built steadily on their debut Games performances and Gallagher is confident that they are ready for the challenge of bettering their eighth place finish achieved last time.

Lynsey said: “Players taking part in the netball Superleague last year served as great preparation for the Gold Coast Games as the girls have been able to get some match experience and are able to train week in, week out with a club. At the 2018 Games, we are realistically aiming for an improved top-8 finish as the sport has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of years.”

“Since 2014, the sport has gone from strength to strength and we have certainly closed the gap between other nations. All we have to do is make sure we prepare well for the Gold Coast.”

The 25-year-old from East Kilbride is also impressed at the development of the youth players coming through and added: “The World Youth Netball Championships in Botswana were encouraging after an eight-place finish. It’s good to see the youngsters coming through and that there is a solid pathway for them to progress. There will certainly be competition amongst the players to push for spots to play in Australia next April.”

The Gold Coast 2018 netball competition commences with preliminary matches at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5-12 April before moving to the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre for the finals on 14-15 April.

The official draw to see which teams Scotland will face in these matches are due to occur in the next couple of weeks.

Individual player selection will not be made until early in 2018 to ensure form and fitness.