SCOTLAND netball star Niamh McCall joined a new team this week in a bid to keep children safe.

The Strathclyde Sirens’ latest signing teamed up with children from an East Kilbride school to help the NSPCC deliver a groundbreaking lesson.

Niamh, 18, who is from Strathaven, spent time with charity volunteers Sarah Burkinshaw and Scott McClure meeting pupils and staff at Auldhouse Primary.

As well as helping to get across the NSPCC’s ‘Speak Out Stay Safe’ message, Niamh answered questions from the pupils about her netball career.

Goal Attack Niamh, who was the youngest player in the Team Scotland squad at this year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, said: “This was my first time delivering the Speak Out Stay Safe assembly, and it was really inspiring. It’s also great to encourage young people to get into sport – maybe if they see me and hear my story, it will make them think they can do it too.”

The NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies help children to recognise different types of abuse and to feel confident about speaking about it to a trusted adult.

Research shows that on average, at least two children in every primary school classroom across the UK, will have suffered from some form of abuse or neglect.

Auldhouse Primary’s Acting Head Teacher Emme Alexander said: “It was great to welcome the NSPCC and Niamh to our school. We really value the fantastic work and commitment of the charity to empower and help children. We work hard on children’s rights at Auldhouse and the visit today really highlighted the importance of speaking out and staying safe.”

Primary seven pupil Caragh Campbell, 11, said: “It was really interesting and inspiring hearing Niamh speak about her career.”