Netball star Beth Goodwin says the Scottish Thistles can look forward to the 2022 Commonwealth Games with confidence, because they know what they’re capable of.
The Strathclyde Sirens goal-shooter says preparation has been good for the event in Birmingham, and there’s a good mix of youth and experience in their ranks.
Now the 23-year-old from Cambuslang says the aim is to solidify Scotland’s place in the world rankings.
Goodwin said: “This is a great opportunity to play against some of the best netballers in the world, more than anything.
“I just want to go out and enjoy it, and put in some performances to be proud of.
“The team is still quite young, but there is a mix of youth and experience. That’s always a good thing, because the young ones go in fearless, but we’re here to remind them that if they feel like that, there’s nothing to lose.
“We’ve had such good preparation for the Games, so we know what we’re capable of.
“I think the main focus for us is to try and solidify our place in the world rankings, and that we’re ranked eighth for a reason, so to get in the top eight is a great goal for us.”
Thistles headed down south on Sunday alongside the bowls team, and Beth admits there are nerves, but excited ones.
She said: “Nerves are always a good thing – it’s such a big event and we want to do well, so I’m really excited to head into the village.
“The difference in the multi-sports events is that you do have the support of not just the netball team, but the full Team Scotland.
“It’s always a nice feeling, having the extra support behind you, and just knowing that everyone wants everyone to do well.”
Scotland face up to world number one Australia in their opener on July 30, with Wales the following day. Jamaica awaits on August 2 and Barbados the following day, before South Africa on August 4.
Goodwin added: “I always like playing a hard team at the start – it lets you dust off the cobwebs, get the nerves out and try things in training that we’ve been setting up for other teams later in the week.
“It shows where we are as a team so that will be a good starting point for us.”
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