Back of the net for Erin Scott as she gains her first Scotland netball cap!

Orkney’s Erin Scott has scored her first national cap playing netball for Scotland in a clash with Wales – which saw the Scottish side come out on top. 

The 18-year-old athlete says the occasion at the House of Sport in Cardiff on Friday 19 April was “definitely up there as a highlight of my netball career”. 

Erin is a Performance Development Programme (PDP) athlete – a scheme run through Orkney Islands Council (OIC) and sportscotland. Through the programme support is given to athletes on the performance pathway which includes physical preparation, performance lifestyle support, nutrition support and physio guidance. 

Erin, who has completed her studies at Kirkwall Grammar School and is heading to Edinburgh’s Napier University in September to study Midwifery, has delivered on the netball court many times and the recent game was no different. 

She said: “We were playing the Wales U19s side and the final score was 33-44 to Scotland. The game went really well; we started strong in the first quarter and carried the lead throughout the game.” 

Erin was playing goal attack for Scotland, a position she is familiar with when playing for Orkney, alongside goal shooter. 

She feels the PDP scheme has been really beneficial. 

“PDP has definitely helped me improve my performance, being physically stronger is a huge advantage when on court and taking on opponents at a higher level. It’s also important to help reduce any risks of potential injury so I’ve found it really beneficial.” 

What’s next for Erin on the netball court? 

“The Scottish season is nearly over now, with just two weekends left of the development supercup I’m playing in, so after that all the focus for me will be on my final year of Junior Inter-County in June. 

“For next season there will be trials again in September for the Scottish team which I would be looking to play for again hopefully. Also, more opportunities to come when I go away to university to play in the university team or club teams too.”