Netball

One of the most highly regarded of its kind in the UK, the University of Edinburgh Performance Sport Programme enables athletes to achieve a world-class degree and perform to the best of their ability.  The University of Edinburgh Netball Programme prides itself on developing players with potential and a positive attitude into performance athletes. In return for your dedication and hard work, we will offer you world-class training facilities and support to allow you to reach your full potential:

• 1 Full-time Head Coach
• Specialist Support Coaches
• Full-time Strength & Conditioning support
• Academic support
• Performance lifestyle support
• Nutritional advice
• Sports psychology Support
• Access to the world-renowned FASIC Sport & Exercise Medicine Clinic
• Performance analysis, team and individual

Aela Stewart, Environmental Geoscience. Northern Ireland Emerging Warriors  

The performance netball programme has not only allowed me to flourish within my netball training but also it has provided me with the support tailored to ensuring my mental and academic wellbeing off court. With S&C support, nutrition workshops and sports psychology, the programme has aided me to excel in my sport at an undoubtedly high level thanks to the support of our amazing coaching and support system. 

Flic Rome, Classical Studies. Scotland A, Scotland U21  

After an unbeaten 23/24 season in BUCS Scottish Tier 1, the first team was promoted to play in Prem North for the 24/25 season. 

• 2023-24 BUCS Scottish Tier 1A Winners
• 2023-24 National League Champions
• 2023-24 Scottish Cup Finalists 
• 2023-24 Conference Cup Champions
• 2022-2023 BUCS Scottish Tier 1A Winners
• 2021-22 Netball Scotland Senior Club of the Year
• 2020-21 BUCS Conference Cup Finalists 
• 2019-20 BUCS Scottish Tier 1A Winners

Alongside our BUCS and Scottish League successes, many of our players and alumni are involved in national programmes and play in international squads.  This has included:

• Alumni Claire Maxwell – Former thistles captain, now retired with over 100 caps between 2009-2023. Represented Scotland at 2014, 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, and 2015, 2019 and 2023 Netball World Cups.  
• Alumni Emily Nicholl – Current Scottish Thistles vice-captain (45 caps). Represented Scotland at the 2019 and 2023 Netball World Cups, and 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games.
• Alumni Hannah Grant - Current Scottish Thistle (9 caps). Represented Scotland at the 2023 Netball World Cup
• 1 current student in Northern Ireland Emerging squad
• 2018-19 4 players selected for SSS National Squad
• 2017-18 7 players selected for SSS National Squad
• 1 Alumni involved in 2 commonwealth games appearances (2018, 2022)  
• 1 Alumni involved in World Cup Squad appearance 2019 

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Edinburgh mixes architectural beauty and history with a lively, fun environment and has regularly been voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world. As part of our Performance Programme, you will develop your athletic and academic skills in tandem, competing for one of the United Kingdom’s best sporting higher education institutions and studying at a university that is consistently ranked in the top 50 in the world:

• Over 650 degree programmes
• Flexible study
• Ranked 10th in the UK for graduate employability by the Times Higher Education, Global Employability Ranking 2018

Find out more about studying at Edinburgh

We support elite athletes during the University application process by crediting athletic attainment.

Find out more about our Elite Athlete Policy:

Elite Athlete Policy

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Head of Performance Netball, Trish Wilcox

Trish is our newly appointed Head of Netball having been in the role since September 2022 and has been developing and growing the netball performance programme. Trish is a NNZ Level 3 qualified coach and has been coaching for over 25 years spending over 20 years coaching in NZ and learning her craft.

Some highlights of her international coaching career are:

• 2002 -2014 New Zealand- Appointed Auckland Netball’s first ever Development Officer (2002) Development Manager (2006) Northern Zone Community Netball Manager (2012)
• 2004 NNZ Coach Education Facilitator Award
• 2006-2011 Director of Netball Epsom Girls Grammar School Auckland NZ
• 2009 Head Coach Auckland NZ provincial U15s
• 2010 Apprentice coach programme NZ U21
• 2010 Head Coach U19 Regional Auckland/Waitakere NZ
• 2011 Head Coach U17 Regional Auckland /Waitakere NZ
• 2011-2013 Head Coach Samoa U21
• 2012 Head Coach U17 Auckland NZ
• 2012 Netball New Zealand Performance Coach Award Programme 
• 2013-2014 Head Coach Cook Islands National Team
• 2014 short term contract for Pacific Netball Series
• 2014 Sport New Zealand Coach Advance Programme 
• 2014- 2017 Head of Elite Performance at Wales Netball    
• 2014-2018 Head coach Wales National team ​​​​​​
• 2014-2018 Head Coach Celtic Dragons Franchise
• 2018-2022 Head of Netball Fettes College
• 2020-2022 Head coach Edinburgh Academicals
• 2021 2022 Head Coach Eagles