There was little doubt that Jacy Brown was reared to play netball. Not only did her mother run a club in Jersey where she grew up, but her child minder just happened to coach the Jersey team.

The Glasgow University student is now looking forward to making her mark for Glasgow Wildcats when they open their third UK Superleague programme next month.

The Wildcats have improved in their last two seasons but have a young squad this season, including 19 year-old Brown who made her debut for the team last season.

A year ago, she made her Scotland debut in the Singapore Cup (she qualifies for Scotland on parentage) but misses out on this year's competition due to university exams.  But she is undoubtedly one for the future, with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 an obvious target.

“I qualify for the national team because both my parents are from Glasgow. Our main long term goal of the squad is the 2014 Commonwealth Games,” she outlines.

“The highlight for me so far was definitely Singapore - I was just recently into the squad so everything was still new and the idea of playing for my country hadn't quite sunk in!

“A lot of the athletes in the squad are part of the Institute of Sport, where we do a strength and conditioning programme – which in the long term will improve our power and overall fitness.

“By the time we reach 2014 we are hoping to finish in the top eight in the tournament, which is exciting and means we will have to put a lot of time and effort in from now until then.  But hopefully the outcome will be worth it!”

Coached by Denise Holland at club and international level, Brown admits it was a big step up playing in the UK Superleague last season.

“The squad this season is younger than the last, and it's taking time to get to know how we all play with each other, but that's all part of the experience and it is exciting,” she continues.

“I am looking forward to the wildcat season starting in late January, and everyone has been working so hard – so hopefully it will pay off.

“Last year, I didn't play a lot for the Wildcats, but when I did get on it was interesting to play at that speed and level. I was a bit blown away to be honest!

“Hopefully this year I’ll know what to expect and if I get the opportunity to play will just go out and give it my all.” 

Brown’s childminder, Linda Andrews played a pivotal role in her early career. As Jersey’s coach, she worked hard on bringing on young players, an approach Scotland are set to reap the benefits from.

Whereas there is an intense rivalry between Jersey and Guernsey, Andrews was keen to show her players the bigger picture.

In addition to playing in the outdoor league in Jersey with Convent, Brown also travelled regularly to competitions.

“Growing up with Jersey netball was really good and we were fortunate enough to have a coach who was constantly working on the development of netball,” she explains.

“She brought over coaches from the mainland all the time and we travelled to tournaments three or four times a year in South England to compete in leagues and competitions.

“When I got into Glasgow University, my coach put me forward for the national and Wildcat trials in October 2009, and fortunately I made the team!”

RM

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