The Team Scotland athlete surprised the club’s U13 and U15 players at their regular training session in North Lanarkshire, helping to deliver a defensive skills session and taking part in a Q&A where players had the opportunity to find out more about her netball journey.

The evening ended with an extra touch of magic when Glasgow 2026 mascot Finnie appeared courtside with a giant ticket to reveal that the club had been gifted tickets to watch the Scottish Thistles compete at the Commonwealth Games this summer.

For Nicholl, the visit was an opportunity to lean into this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, and give back to the grassroots game that helped shape her own journey in netball

“I absolutely love the theme of International Women’s Day this year, and the fact that I get to come and surprise the girls with these tickets is a really cool opportunity,” she shared.

“I think it’s been a trademark of mine since I came into the sport: I just think you’re never too big to give back, and it’s really important to remember where you came from.

“To be able to give back to these girls and hopefully encourage them along the way really means the world to me.”

Nicholl also reflected on the power of visibility in women’s sport and the impact that watching elite athletes can have on young players in the early stages of their sporting journey.

“You can’t be it if you can’t see it - it’s that classic tag line, but it really is true,” she said. “I just really hope that by coming and doing things like this, and being accessible role models, we can inspire the next generation of Thistles.”

Reflecting on her netball journey, Emily revealed that being in the stands at the Glasgow 2014 Netball event sparked a real desire to one day step onto that stage.

“Glasgow 2014 is one of the reasons I’m standing here today, and if the rest of the Thistles and I can be those role models for these girls, then that’s our job done.”

Since forming just five years ago, Elements Netball Club has grown from a handful of players into a thriving community programme offering opportunities from Under 11s through to senior teams and was recognised as Junior Club of the Year at Netball Scotland’s annual awards last year.

For Elements coach Sophie Robb, the evening was a special moment for her club that has grown rapidly over the past five years:

“It’s so great having Emily here as an inspiration - not just to the girls but to me as a coach as well. I was definitely fan-girling!”

“It’s great for them to have that role model right in front of them,” she added.

“Especially when she told the girls how she wasn’t through all the pathways at Scotland and was actually picked up at a later stage in university.

“That gives the girls real motivation to keep going.”

Reflecting on the opportunity for her players to come and watch the world’s very best netballers compete in Glasgow this summer, Sophie shared:

“For the girls, to be able to see that right on their doorstep - it’s not streaming it on the TV. They can actually go and be there, be in the crowd and witness the swings in the game and the excitement.

“That is just such a brilliant opportunity for them.”

For the players themselves, meeting the Thistles captain was an unforgettable experience.

Holly said: “It was really good and pretty inspirational to be honest. I really look up to Emily and want to be as big as her one day.”

Zoe added, “I just love playing netball, so it was really fun getting to meet her. Thank you for coming, Emily. I really enjoyed it.”

This summer, 12 of the world's very best netball nations will arrive in Glasgow to compete at the iconic Hydro as part of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the competition taking place from 25 July to 2 August.

Tickets for the Netball competition are on sale now, with prices ranging from £17 to £65 for non-medal sessions and £26 to £85 for medal sessions.

Click here to secure your seat and experience the excitement live this summer.