Kiwis Abroad: Gail Parata
July 21, 2015
Gail Parata in action
The Silver Ferns won’t be the only New Zealanders competing at Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015 (NWC2015) in five weeks’ time.
There are also four women coaching other nations at the tournament - Ruth Aitken is in charge of Singapore, Kate Carpenter coaches Fiji, Marcia Hardcastle is guiding Samoa and the furthest away of them all is Gail Parata at the helm of Scotland.
Parata says last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow did wonders for Netball in Scotland, raising the profile of the sport and resulting in a 58 per cent increase in membership.
She says the sport certainly doesn’t yet enjoy the status it has in New Zealand but Sport Scotland is acknowledging its growing popularity with funding and support. Parata says that brings with it pressure to perform and there’s no doubt the Thistles need to do well in Sydney to ensure that support continues.
Gail Parata is clearly proud of her players and admires their commitment and determination with all of the players either working fulltime or at university. She likens Scottish Netball to where New Zealand Netball was 20 years ago, without the depth of players and coaches. She says Sport Scotland through support and funding and Netball Scotland through player and coach pathways are trying to redress this imbalance.
The Thistles were the darlings of the Netball competition in Glasgow – obviously thanks to the home crowd, but also the way they played the game. Parata has picked many of that side for her NWC2015 campaign. She nominates defender Hayley Mulheron, midcourter Claire Brownie and shooter Lynsey Gallagher as her players to watch.
Also in the mix, Lesley MacDonald - Scotland’s most capped player notching up 127 Tests and the most recognised netballer in Scotland.
And how about this for a little bit of help, Irene van Dyk was working as a Technical Adviser to the Scottish Thistles prior to their Australian departure. She’s been in Scotland this month to weave her special brand of magic!
Netball fans will be able to watch all Silver Ferns NWC2015 matches live on SKY Sport (check local guides) – tell me more
Support the Silver Ferns on the road to NWC2015 when they take on Fiji and South Africa’s SPAR Proteas in the New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy.
Secure your seat to farewell to the team and witness a special presentation at the conclusion of the final Test Match against the SPAR Proteas on Tuesday 28 July at The Trusts Arena, Auckland!
You can take your support of the Silver Ferns to the next level, by becoming a SilverFan. Join the team and become a SilverFan today!
There are also four women coaching other nations at the tournament - Ruth Aitken is in charge of Singapore, Kate Carpenter coaches Fiji, Marcia Hardcastle is guiding Samoa and the furthest away of them all is Gail Parata at the helm of Scotland.
Parata says last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow did wonders for Netball in Scotland, raising the profile of the sport and resulting in a 58 per cent increase in membership.
She says the sport certainly doesn’t yet enjoy the status it has in New Zealand but Sport Scotland is acknowledging its growing popularity with funding and support. Parata says that brings with it pressure to perform and there’s no doubt the Thistles need to do well in Sydney to ensure that support continues.
Gail Parata is clearly proud of her players and admires their commitment and determination with all of the players either working fulltime or at university. She likens Scottish Netball to where New Zealand Netball was 20 years ago, without the depth of players and coaches. She says Sport Scotland through support and funding and Netball Scotland through player and coach pathways are trying to redress this imbalance.
The Thistles were the darlings of the Netball competition in Glasgow – obviously thanks to the home crowd, but also the way they played the game. Parata has picked many of that side for her NWC2015 campaign. She nominates defender Hayley Mulheron, midcourter Claire Brownie and shooter Lynsey Gallagher as her players to watch.
Also in the mix, Lesley MacDonald - Scotland’s most capped player notching up 127 Tests and the most recognised netballer in Scotland.
And how about this for a little bit of help, Irene van Dyk was working as a Technical Adviser to the Scottish Thistles prior to their Australian departure. She’s been in Scotland this month to weave her special brand of magic!
Netball fans will be able to watch all Silver Ferns NWC2015 matches live on SKY Sport (check local guides) – tell me more
Support the Silver Ferns on the road to NWC2015 when they take on Fiji and South Africa’s SPAR Proteas in the New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy.
Secure your seat to farewell to the team and witness a special presentation at the conclusion of the final Test Match against the SPAR Proteas on Tuesday 28 July at The Trusts Arena, Auckland!
You can take your support of the Silver Ferns to the next level, by becoming a SilverFan. Join the team and become a SilverFan today!