When Team Scotland’s netball team takes to the court inside the Hydro at the Commonwealth Games this summer, Iona Christian hopes to be one of them, just as she was at Birmingham 2022 four years ago. This time, however, she’ll have extra support in the stands in the form of her two-year-old son Lawrie.
It was in the run-up to the Netball World Cup in 2023 that she found out she was expecting and, with the full support of the Netball Scotland medical team and coaches, she played her first World Cup in South Africa in the early stages of pregnancy, managing fatigue and morning sickness to step up for her country on court.
She made history as the first pregnant player to sign a Netball Super League contract when she signed with Strathclyde Sirens in 2024 and her drive to return to the sport she loves has been inspirational. She’s back playing in the Super League for Nottingham Forest and internationally for the Scottish Thistles and is working hard to make her second Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2026, the draw of a home Games being the icing on the cake.
Becoming a mum has changed many things, in her sport and in family life, but Iona is loving having the best of both worlds, with all of the challenges and benefits that come with it.
“Anybody who’s had a child knows that it’s life-changing in the best way as well as in some challenging ways as well,” she says.
“I always knew I didn’t want netball to stop me having a family and when I did fall pregnant, vice versa, I didn’t want having a family to stop me playing netball. I was a bit naïve about the change to your body that pregnancy and birth have and it’s definitely been tough getting back on court, but it’s also been rewarding as well.
“My priorities have changed, he comes first. My mindset has shifted since having Lawrie and that’s also had a positive impact on my netball, it’s made me a lot more relaxed. I think I’ve played some of the best netball in the last two years because my priorities have changed and I’ve been able to focus on having a bit of a better life balance.”
One part of that mindset shift has been balancing her performance needs with the realities of raising a small child, adjusting to not having control over many of the small things that used to seem crucial.
“Sleep deprivation is a big one,” she laughs.
“As an athlete you always get told how important sleep is and, when you have a child who wakes up in the middle of the night, that’s not going to happen. That took getting used to and still does. Lawrie’s quite a good sleeper, to be fair, but every now and then he decides to have a bit of a party in the middle of the night, so that can be fun.”
She’s played nearly ten seasons in the Super League, making her debut with Severn Stars while studying illustration at the University of Worcester – and if she’s not busy enough with netball and childcare, she also does some freelance design work on the side.
She spent three seasons with Wasps before a season with Manchester Thunder in 2023, the team where she started as a pathway player, and signing with Sirens in 2024. Now she’s back at the top level, playing with Nottingham Forest and is full of praise of the support she’s received both there and with the national side.
“Bringing Lawrie to that environment has been really special, seeing how the team at Forest and at Thistles have engaged with that and been so welcoming. These girls inspire me every day, so for him to be around them and have good role models has been really important.”
Iona is hoping all of that experience will land her a place on Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026 and to have all those who have supported her there as part of a loud home crowd.
“It would mean a lot to represent Scotland at these Commonwealth Games. My dad grew up in Glasgow and every time I’ve represented Thistles, seeing my family in the crowd and that moment singing the national anthem is very, very special.
“The Commonwealth Games is a massive competition for netball; it’s one of the biggest events on the netball calendar. So, not just having a Games but having a home Games in Glasgow is a really big deal.
“The Hydro is a fantastic venue, I’ve not played there before but I’m hoping I get that opportunity. To fill it with so many Scottish fans is going to be very exciting and Scottish fans always bring the noise, so the atmosphere in there is going to be incredible.”
If she makes the team, Glasgow 2026 will look very different from Birmingham 2022 for Iona, but she’s welcoming the change and playing her best netball.
“To have Lawrie there with my family and friends would be brilliant, I’ve been surrounded by such supportive people. I don’t think your body ever quite goes back to how it was before after having a baby, but I’m a mum now and I’m embracing the new me. It’s part of who I am.”