Anna Pinder left behind a promising netball career in New Zealand, but is now playing a pivotal role in the game’s future in Scotland.

Capped by her native country at Under-21 level, she came to Scotland five years ago with her future husband Sam Pinder, who plays rugby for Glasgow Warriors.

The 29 year-old is now firmly established at wing defence in the Scotland team and is part of the new UK Superleague team Glasgow Wildcats.

If the Wildcats did not distinguish themselves in their opening match in the league – a 55-28 loss at Leeds Carnegie – Pinder is confident brighter times lie ahead.

“It was a bit of a shock to the system but we took a lot from the match,” she stresses, “We lost heavily in the first quarter but we only lost the second quarter by one point and we were level in the third quarter.

“So we held our own for half of the match and now we’re looking forward to doing something in the league.

“The aim is to reach the play-offs and we’re hopeful we can do that once we get settled.”

Pinder is hoping the arrival of the new team – Scotland’s first representatives in the league – will have a big impact on the game in this country.

“It’s fair to say the game is played in different pockets of the country in Scotland and, in some areas, the game is not played at all,” she continues.

“But Netball Scotland has a great programme and there are heaps and heaps of youngsters now playing the game and I think the sport is changing.

“Hopefully, the Glasgow Wildcats will take it onto a new level. We have four games going out live on television this season and there has been a lot of advertising aimed at the kids.

“There has been a lot of talk about the new team and hopefully we’ll get good crowds at our home games.

“We had a busload of fans down at Leeds for our first game and that was very encouraging.”

Pinder is aware that Scotland has a lot of ground to make up on New Zealand in the sport but her work as an Active Schools Co-ordinator convinces her that the sport can thrive here.

“In New Zealand, girls are playing the sport from the age of eight and straight into a competitive framework.

“You will not only play for your school but you’re likely to also be in a club setup and you can go on to play at representative level.

“Over here, girls are starting in primary school at around the same age but it is not as competitive as it is in New Zealand.”

With her husband’s rugby contract up next year, there is talk that Pinder might return to New Zealand.  Could there then be the chance that she could come back and play against Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 2014?

“I don’t know what the rules are but I think it’s very unlikely,” she laughs, “I’m fully committed to staying in Glasgow and I’d love to play for Scotland in 2014.

“The sport has a lot going for it here now and is on the way up. With [national coach] Denise Holland now here, Netball Scotland has a good programme going forward.

“I know there is a campaign in Britain to get the sport into the Olympics and, while I don’t know too much about that, I think it is long overdue.”

RM
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