To mark the launch of general ticket sales, the spotlight is on seven of Scotland’s top netball players who have swapped their kit for couture in a special photoshoot inspired by the Hollywood Issue of Vanity Fair – celebrating the determination, confidence and athleticism of the sport’s rising stars in a glamorous style.

The series, from fashion photographer Gerardo Jaconelli – dubbed The Net Ball – captures some of the sport’s most talented players in a style normally reserved for the world’s biggest movie stars. The shoot reimagines Netball’s place in popular culture as it prepares for what many see as one of its biggest-ever moments in the UK – and Scotland. 

Netball will be the show-piece event at Glasgow’s Hydro, when 144 players from 12 nations compete across 38 matches next summer.

Among those hoping to lead the Scottish Thistles out at the Games is captain Emily Nicholl, a 54-cap veteran of two Commonwealth Games. The 31-year-old goal defence combines her international career with a full-time role as a solicitor– a balance that epitomises the dedication of many of her teammates, who juggle elite sport with work, study and family life.

The veteran sportswoman, renowned for aggressive defence she describes as ‘Beast Mode’, said: “Netball is high-scoring, fast and furious – it’s one of the best sports in the world to watch. Every player trains, eats and plays like an elite professional athlete, whether full time or not. The word ‘beast’ isn’t traditionally feminine, but why shouldn’t it be? I’ve always owned it, and I don’t want girls to shy away from strength. That’s what thousands of people will see on the court at the Games.”

Netball fanatic Nicholl grew up in Biggar – a town more associated with Rugby than Netball – even training as a youngster by weaving between exam desks with a ball in her school gym hall. She admits the prospect of a home Games is a huge opportunity for her and the sport. 

She said: “At Glasgow 2014, I was a student watching the final at the Hydro. It wasn’t even on my radar that I could ever play for Scotland. Two years later, I won my first cap and now I could be back on that same court, competing at a home Commonwealth Games.

“To have a dream and see it become a possibility is incredibly special. I’ve played at two Games before, but this one would be different – surrounded by friends, family and, hopefully, who knows maybe a few new little Emilys in the crowd dreaming their own dreams.

“The Commonwealth Games is our Olympics and this feels like a Hollywood moment – a chance for netball to shine in front of a global audience, to show how far we’ve come, and how far we can go as a team, and as a sport.”

Also eyeing a place in the Thistles squad is Iona Christian, who switched allegiance from England in 2021 to represent her father’s native Scotland. The talented 27-year-old plays in the Netball Super League for Nottingham Forest and as a teenager had to choose between a career in netball or football, even playing in the same school side as England and Manchester United defender Millie Turner. 

She says the rise of women’s sport across the UK driven by the likes of the European champion Lionesses and England’s Rugby World Cup winning side has created new opportunities for netball to capture the public’s imagination.

Christian, a mum-of-one and freelance illustrator off the court, said: “The idea of women’s sport selling out stadiums 10 years ago was almost unheard of, now it’s happening regularly in Rugby and Football, and that’s inspiring for Netball. There’s a huge opportunity to put the sport on the map in Scotland and show just how exciting it is. It’s a huge motivation to make the squad and run out at the Hydro in front of a passionate home crowd creating an incredible atmosphere.”

For Jazmine Moore, a 21-year-old medical student from Paisley, the prospect of competing at a home Games would be a dream come true. Of Jamaican heritage, she made her senior debut earlier this year and says she hopes her journey can inspire more young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue netball – and even medicine. 

She said: “Globally, Netball is diverse and we’re starting to see that reflected more in Scotland too – the opportunities are there. For me, the Games symbolise talent and hard work on the world stage, inspiring others – on and off the court.”

Glasgow 2026 Chief Operating Officer Jade Gallagher expects Netball to be one of the defining sports of the Games. She added: “Netball is always one of the standout events – action packed and exciting – and we expect a party atmosphere at the Hydro. Whether fans are lifelong supporters or new to the game, they’ll see 12 of the world’s best teams battling it out across nine days of world-class action. We want every sport at Glasgow 2026 to spark new obsessions and fuel existing ones – and Netball will do just that, showcasing women’s sport.”

As the host nation, Glasgow 2026 will be the Thistles’ homecoming with the other 11 qualifying nations being announced soon. 

The Net Ball shoot, celebrating Netball’s moment in the spotlight, features Emily Nicholl, Iona Christian, Jazmine Moore, Emma Barrie, Niamh McCall, Hannah Grant and Hannah Leighton.

The shoot took place at former Scotland’s Home of the Year Kirklee Mansion in Glasgow’s West End, directed by photographer Gerardo Jaconelli for Glasgow 2026 in partnership with Netball Scotland. Styled by Laura McLetchie, with clothing by HALO Glasgow, accessories by ROX Diamonds, and hair and makeup by Sarah McCulloch and Olivia M. 

Tickets for Glasgow 2026 go on general sale worldwide at 12 noon on 30 October. Start planning your schedule.