Wales national netball team

History

Early tests

Wales made their Test debut on 7 May 1949 with a 14–13 win against Scotland. The match was played at the General Electric Company ground on Preston Road, Wembley during the 1949 England Scotland Wales Netball Series. Wales also played England for the first time on the same day, losing 25–3. In 1951, as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations, Wales hosted their first home international match, played outdoors at Cathays High School, Cardiff. Wales lost to England by 26–7. In April 1957, Wales hosted their first indoor home international matches at Sophia Gardens Pavilion. Wales lost to both England (34–5) and to Scotland (16–9). In 1980, with a team coached by Wendy White, Wales defeated England 33–29 in Plymouth. This was the first time Wales had defeated England.

Netball Super League

Since 2005–06, Wales has also effectively competed in the Netball Super League, initially playing as Celtic Dragons. Since the 2024 season, they have played as Cardiff Dragons. Melissa Hyndman, Trish Wilcox and Julie Hoornweg all served as joint head coach of both Dragons and Wales. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games eleven of the squad were Dragons players and the twelfth, Chelsea Lewis was a former player. Dragons players continue to make up the majority of the Wales team.

World Netball Rankings

Between 2008 and 2024, Wales averaged 9th in the World Netball Rankings. In September 2017, they were listed 7th. In March 2022, they qualified for the 2022 Commonwealth Games after being ranked 8th. In March 2025 they were listed 6th for the first time.

Tournament history

Netball World Cup

Wales have been regular participants in World Netball Championships and Netball World Cups. They did'nt travel to the 1967 tournament and failed to qualify in 2019. The highest position they have finished is 6th which they achieved on twice, in 1975 and 1979.

Netball World Cup Qualifiers

Source:

World Games

Commonwealth Games

Wales have been regular participants in Netball at the Commonwealth Games. Their highest ever finish came in 2002 when they finished 6th.

Celtic Cup

The Celtic Cup series is hosted and organised by Netball Northern Ireland, Netball Scotland and Wales Netball. The series features Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales playing a series of test matches against each other and visiting national teams. Wales won the inaugural 2024 series.

Netball Europe Open Championships

Wales have regularly played in the Netball Europe Open Championships. They have won the tournament on three occasions. In 2001 with a team coached by Raewyn Henry they clinched the title when they defeated England 59–58 in Canterbury. In 2014, Wales retained the title and qualified for the 2015 Netball World Cup.

Wendy White Trophy Series

Wales Netball introduced the Wendy White Trophy Series in honour of Wendy White, a former Wales player and head coach. In February 2017, the inaugural series saw Wales host New Zealand. Since the series has featured Samoa and South Africa. In 2022, the series saw Wales host Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland.

Netball Singapore Nations Cup

In 2010, with a team featuring Suzy Drane, Sara Hale and Chelsea Lewis and coached by Melissa Hyndman, Wales won the Netball Singapore Nations Cup. In the final they defeated Scotland 53–30.

Notable players

Current Squad

Source:

Captains

Source:

Welsh Sports Hall of Fame

The following Wales netball internationals have been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.

Former players

• Anna Mayes, former head coach of England
• Liz Nicholl, president of World Netball

Head Coaches

Source:

Honours

• Celtic Cup
  • Winners: 2024
• Netball Europe Open Championships
  • Winners: 2001, 2013, 2014
• Netball World Cup Qualifiers
  • Winners: 2007, 2015, 2023
• Netball Singapore Nations Cup
  • Winners: 2010

References

References

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