Player Announcement – Lesley MacDonald Netball Scotland wishes to announce the retirement of Lesley MacDonald from international netball. Lesley has represented her country since 1999 finishing her career at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 127 caps. “Lesleys career has been superb and she is the most capped player to date for the Scottish Thistles. She has demonstrated a very dedicated and professional attitude towards her netball and this commitment has ensured she has developed into a world class player. Lesley has been a positive and distinctive role model, not just for our younger players but also with her fellow international and club netball players. They all have a high regard and respect for her unstinting efforts to constantly improve her play and her coaching abilities. The Thistles squad will sorely miss her experience and leadership, but hopefully will still be able to benefit from her continuing role in the coaching aspects of netball in the future. Thanks Lesley for all you have achieved and shared in our netball community.” Freda Hutchison, Chair “Lesleys contribution to the Scottish Thistles has been immense. As a player, she has been a stalwart in the circle, supporting her team mates in attack and working to guarantee success. At the same time, she has fulfilled her captains role by motivating, teaching and supporting her team mates on and off the court. She will be sorely missed. It is good to know that she will be sharing her knowledge of the game through her role as Under 23 coach. I would like to thank Lesley for her efforts and wish her success in the future.” Margaret Reid, Performance Director ’Lesley MacDonald is a Scottish netball legend’ “I have heard this said by many over the years and we will meet no-one in our netball community who will disagree. Achieving 127 caps during the Commonwealth Games must be the record that beats all others in our sport and in the majority of sports in Scotland. Lesley has put her body on the line, her heart on her sleeve and her life on hold to represent her country for over 16 years and few will know the depth of sacrifice and challenges she will have encountered along the way. I first saw her play at the tender age of 16 years in Fife and her gift was obvious - she demonstrated that potential within the year representing our U19s at Netball Europe in Edinburgh in 1997. She finished her distinguished playing career on a real high this year captaining The Scottish Thistles at our first Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014 and her pride and passion for her country was unmatched as she stood tall and strong within Team Scotland. Nothing replaces the exhilaration of playing for your country; however, Lesley will still be in the thick of it as one of Netball Scotlands National Technical Team. Lesley will remain a great inspiration to others and will give many young netballers in Scotland the roots to grow and the wings to fly” Maggie Murray, CEO “Congratulations on your outstanding international netball career of 16 years and 127 caps. To be amongst the elite netballers in the world whom have an achieved over 100 caps for their country is exceptional. Your experience, leadership and balls skills has left a big gap, however, I know you have already helped to fill this void with your excellent coaching ability with the national age group teams. I wish you well as you make the transition into full time coaching” Gail Parata, National Coach “It is with mixed emotions I announce my retirement from international netball. I have a huge sense of pride with regards to my personal achievements but more so to what we have achieved as a squad. I have had the privilege of playing alongside some amazing players, had great role models that have guided me through my career, that have created memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. The biggest influence on my career has been my family, in particular my mum and dad, who have supported me and travelled the world to cheer on the team. To all of them, I thank them so much. The Commonwealth Games was massive for me, the pinnacle event for any netballer and I was hugely honoured to have captained the team at their 1st games. I have been playing on the international stage for 16 years and I can honestly say it was by far the most amazing experience. The best feeling in the world is when you stand shoulder to shoulder with your team mates at the start of the match, the adrenaline pumping and you know you are about to put your body on the line for your team mates and your country. This is truly amazing, and I will hugely miss this. Netball has given me so much and I have loved every minute of it. I will always be a Scottish Thistle through and through and my heart will always continue to play, but I look forward to watching and supporting the Thistles on their journey to the World Cup next year and beyond” Lesley MacDonald
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 10:56:00 +0000
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