Glasgow Wildcats

30 September 2011

AMBITIOUS PLANS FOR NETBALL IN GLASGOW UNVEILED

The Glasgow Wildcats could soon be taking on some of the world’s top netball sides as part of a new competition programme being developed in the lead up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life and Netball Scotland are currently working on the ambitious plans that would see Glasgow host a World Invitational Premier Club Challenge and a series of British Invitational Tournaments on a yearly basis. The move comes after the Glasgow Wildcats lost their place in the Fiat Netball Superleague, when the NSL was reduced in size.

The proposed World Invitational Premier Club Challenge would involve a total of six teams: two from the Fiat Netball Superleague and two from the ANZ Superleague as well as the Glasgow Wildcats and potentially a side from Northern Ireland. The unique event would, for the first time, showcase the best of the world’s top international leagues. It is anticipated the first could be held in the new National Indoor Sports Arena as early as November 2012.

The annual British Invitational Tournaments would involve four teams: two from the English Netball Superleague, the Glasgow Wildcats and potentially a side from Northern Ireland. The first of these could be staged in January 2012 in the Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena. It will then relocate to the National Indoor Sports Arena in 2013 and 2014.

Glasgow City Council has already committed £195,000 to the Glasgow Wildcats franchise over the next three years with the specific aim of helping develop a squad of elite players who will compete at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. In total 15 members of the current Glasgow Wildcats and Scotland national squad are currently residents of Glasgow or play for a city club.

The Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and the Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, Councillor Archie Graham, said: “Our commitment to the Glasgow Wildcats and netball in Scotland is as strong as before. The Glasgow Wildcats were formed as the catalyst for improving Scotland’s world ranking and to develop a squad of elite players in the lead up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“The plans currently being developed will ensure that Scotland continues to rise up the rankings ahead of Glasgow 2014. Our top players will now compete with not only the best players from across Great Britain but the best from New Zealand and Australia, which will help with their continued development.”

Glasgow Wildcats head coach, Denise Holland, said: "This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the Glasgow Wildcats. Our players have made real progress in recent seasons and this plan would see us play against the some of the best sides from across the world. The experience our players would gain from this would be invaluable as we continue to build a strong squad ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.”

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