Spotlight on… Emma Barrie – Scottish shooter on leaving Glasgow for Bath, stepping outside her comfort zone and a netball hero familiar to Team Bath fans
Scotland international shooter Emma Barrie is one of the exciting additions to the Team Bath Netball squad for the 2024 Super League season.
Fresh from her second World Cup, we caught up with Emma to see how she is enjoying life in the South West…
- What motivated your move to Bath and how are you settling in?
So far so good. I would say it’s been a big change to what I am used to, just because of always having been in Scotland and being used to the training programmes there, but so far it’s been great! I’ve had the same set up for 4-5 years, so a new coach, new players and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone to challenge myself was my main motivation for moving. I wanted to try something new.
- What’s it like living in Bath compared to Glasgow?
It’s very different to Glasgow and it’s my first time living in a new city. It has been quite overwhelming in terms of finding my bearings as to where everything is but it is a very pretty city and I am really enjoying walking around and exploring it.
- What’s your most memorable moment in your career so far?
I am going to say the 2019 World Cup, just because I was so young and it was my first time on the international stage properly. It was just a really good experience.
- How would you describe your experience playing for Scotland in the 2023 Netball World Cup?
It was really good. As a squad we had set goals and we wanted to go out and challenge those teams above us in the rankings. I think we did do that for the most part, it’s just that our consistency lacked. Overall it was a great experience; it was good to test ourselves against those teams and play against some new players we hadn’t faced before.
- What have you taken from your international experience and what have you learnt from it?
I have learnt resilience, how to rely on your team-mates and how to work with a team to get yourself through tough situations. I think when playing against Australia and New Zealand, for example, it is really challenging and it becomes quite a physical battle, so just being able to tap in with your team-mates and help each other get through it has been a big thing for us.
- Who is your netball role model?
Claire Maxwell, she was a Scottish Thistles’ captain (and most capped player for the Scotland national netball team). Previously Claire also played for Team Bath (2014-2016). She’s such an inspiration in terms of our work rate and her passion for the sport and her dedication to the growth of the sport.
Don’t forget, you can see Emma and her fellow new recruits in action for Team Bath on Sunday 14th January at our pre-season Tri-Tournament, also featuring London Pulse and Severn Stars. One afternoon, three games – tickets on sale now at netball.teambath.com/Tri-Tournament.
