From the Scottish Thistles' history-making eighth place finish to packed stands at the Hydro, thousands of fans experiencing international netball on home soil, and volunteers helping deliver the event, Glasgow 2026 showcased the very best of the sport.
Now, the focus is on turning that visibility and excitement into something lasting – creating opportunities for more people to play, coach, volunteer, officiate and become part of netball communities across Scotland.
It is an opportunity to demonstrate sport for good in action by using the inspiration of elite sport to meet the needs of communities and giving people different ways to connect with physical activity.
A home Games to remember
For the Scottish Thistles, Glasgow 2026 delivered Scotland's best-ever Commonwealth Games netball finish, placing eighth.
Among the standout moments was a 77-27 victory against Trinidad & Tobago – Scotland's highest-ever score in a Commonwealth Games match – while a 45-43 defeat to Jamaica saw the Thistles come within two goals of one of the world's leading nations, bringing the Hydro to its feet with a thrilling performance.
Yet the significance of the Games cannot be measured solely by results.
A home Commonwealth Games gave young players the chance to see Scottish athletes competing against the world's best, provided coaches and officials with exposure to a major international sporting environment, and placed volunteers and supporters at the heart of the experience.
For some, Glasgow 2026 may become the moment that inspires an ambition to represent Scotland. For many others, its legacy can be much simpler – picking up a netball for the first time, returning to the game after years away or finding a local group that offers friendship, activity and a sense of belonging.
Reaching communities across Scotland
Netball Scotland spent the summer creating more opportunities for people to experience the sport before, during and immediately after the Commonwealth Games.
The Summer of Sport programme has included come and try opportunities alongside recreational and walking netball activity, while Community Camps have given junior players the chance to develop their skills, have fun and meet new people in locations across Scotland.
Walking netball has continued to provide a particularly accessible route into the sport. Played at a walking pace with adapted rules, sessions are designed to be social and inclusive, with no previous netball experience required. Netball Scotland has been delivering walking netball for more than eight years, with local partners and communities helping the programme grow.
Recreational Netball (RecNet) provides another opportunity for adults of different backgrounds and abilities, it gives people the chance to enjoy netball without the pressure or commitment of traditional competition.
Netball Scotland is experiencing a record increase in membership with a highest-ever figure of XXXXX members to the year ending 31 August. Local delivery and strengthened partnership working is at the core of developing clubs and increasing capacity for new players or supporting new start-up clubs in areas of demand.
The next phase will build on activity through clubs and schools, helping create clear and welcoming opportunities for anyone whose interest has been sparked by Glasgow 2026.
The aim is not simply to find the next Scottish Thistle. It is to make sure there is a place for everyone in the sport. From young people who want to try netball for the first time, adults looking for a social way to become more active, former players thinking about returning to court, or someone interested in becoming a coach, umpire or volunteer.
Developing the next generation
The legacy of a major Games is also about developing the people who will shape the future of the sport.
Netball coach Savannah Antoine was selected to take part in Team Scotland's Achieve 2026 programme, an initiative designed to give the next generation of Scottish athletes and coaches first-hand experience of a major multi-sport Games environment.
Through workshops, mentoring and behind-the-scenes experiences, participants were able to observe Team Scotland throughout Glasgow 2026 and gain a greater understanding of what is required to perform and coach within a Games environment. Since its launch ahead of Delhi 2010, the Achieve programme has supported more than 200 emerging athletes and coaches.
For Savannah, whose own netball journey has included involvement within Scotland's performance pathway as both an athlete and coach, the opportunity is another example of how major events can create development opportunities beyond those competing on court.
Reflecting on the experience, Savannah said:
“Being part of Team Scotland within the Achieve Programme at the Commonwealth Games was a real privilege, and I’m super grateful for the opportunity. Being surrounded by high-performance athletes and staff from various sports for five days gave me a valuable insight - into what it takes to prepare both athletes and myself to perform at the highest level.
She added, “This experience, by will no doubt better prepare me for coaching under pressure in the future. Having a Commonwealth Games silver medallist (Jenny Davis - Cycling) as a mentor over the next six months is another fantastic opportunity. I’m excited to keep learning, developing and taking everything from this opportunity into whatever comes next in my coaching journey.”
Savannah’s experience reflects an important part of the Games legacy. Inspiring future players matters, but developing the coaches, volunteers and officials who create positive sporting experiences within local communities is just as important.
Netball for all
Across Scotland, there are already more than 200 affiliated netball clubs, offering opportunities ranging from junior and senior competitive netball to recreational and walking netball. Netball Scotland's development network also reaches communities across the country, with clubs operating from Dumfries & Galloway to Shetland.
For young people, netball can begin at school, through a community club or at one of Netball Scotland's camps with opportunities to progress through district and national performance pathways.
For adults, there are competitive local and national leagues alongside less formal recreational opportunities.
For people who want to move, meet others and enjoy the social benefits of team sport without the pace of the traditional game, walking netball provides another option.
And playing is only part of the picture. Clubs across Scotland depend on coaches, umpires, officials, administrators and volunteers to create the environments in which the sport can thrive.
Joining a weekly session, making new friends, volunteering with a junior club or taking a first coaching qualification can be just as meaningful a legacy.
Turning inspiration into participation
Glasgow 2026 gave netball an extraordinary platform. The Scottish Thistles demonstrated what Scotland can achieve on the international stage, while supporters, volunteers, coaches and communities helped create an environment that showcased the very best of the sport.
Whether you watched netball for the first time during the Commonwealth Games, were inspired to return after years away, want to find a new way to be active or simply want to meet people in your community, there is a place for you in the game.
Find your local opportunity through the Netball Scotland Club finder and give netball a try.
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