Young netball player earns place in Scotland under-21 squad

Netball player Sophie May Leyland, 18, recently travelled down to Glasgow and successfully gained herself a place in the under-21 Scotland squad.

She took part in a six-hour trial which contained netballs drills, a fitness test and playing netball games against around 40 other girls. Some of the players she was trialling alongside were part of the open Scotland national squad and part of Glasgow Wildcats, the top club/team in Scotland who play mainly against English teams.

It was a very tough and competitive trial and Sophie May said she mainly wanted to get experience from it but was surprised and very happy when told by email she had earned herself a place in the squad.

She has been chosen for a squad which will train and develop together for British and European competitions in 2012 and 2013. This training will start at the beginning of August which will be easily accessible as she is moving down to Glasgow for university.

Sophie said: “After getting into the under-17 Scotland team it made me determined to trial again. I hope to further improve my netball down south.

“Anyone who aspires to play their chosen sport at a high level should not hold back as opportunities like these dont come along very often. I’m very lucky to know about them from my Shetland coaches and I want to thank them for it.”