Girls Dodge Too: Player Profile – Holly Macleod
Holly Macleod is a primary school teacher with roots in Aberdeen, Scotland. Before discovering dodgeball, Holly was an accomplished competitive dancer. However, after leaving Aberdeen for university and later returning, she sought a new sport to immerse herself in. “Dodgeball fell into my lap—facilitated by the Scottish OG’s, the Granite City Guerrillas,” she recalls. From there, her journey in the sport began, leading to her becoming an integral member of the Buchan Sharks and an esteemed player for Scotland’s national team.
Experiences and Achievements
Holly has had a remarkable career so far, highlighted by representing Scotland on numerous prestigious stages. “I’ve loved having any opportunity to represent my country, and I’ve been very fortunate to do this in three European Championships, a North European Championship, and a World Championship,” she shares.
Though Holly jokingly refers to herself as the Buchan Sharks’ “butter fingers” (most likely to drop a catch), she finds immense joy in every catch she makes. “My top moment is always making a catch—in warm-ups, training, fun games, and leagues—just anything! So, top moment has to be my Dracten face catch/fluke catch against the Austrian Mixed team,” she laughs.
Holly is also deeply passionate about seeing the sport grow at the grassroots level. “Seeing the sport grow at a grassroots level, especially through the juniors team, has been fantastic! (Huge respect to Robyn Smith). I was fortunate enough to help with the early development of those sessions, and those juniors are now consistently (and comfortably) hitting out the Scottish OGs,” she says proudly.
Why Holly Loves Dodgeball
For Holly, dodgeball is unlike any other sport. “Dodgeball is pretty unique—I can’t think of another sport where your team diminishes throughout the game. It’s a great collaboration of tactics and skill, and I’ve got too many dodgeball t-shirts to stop playing now!” she jokes.
Why You Should Try Dodgeball
Holly’s message to anyone considering dodgeball is simple: “It’s not just dodging wrenches, promise. The places I’ve gone and the friendships I’ve made through the sport have been unimaginable.” The experiences and connections she’s made through dodgeball have exceeded anything she ever imagined, making it a sport she’d recommend to anyone and everyone.
Holly Macleod’s journey showcases the heart and camaraderie that make dodgeball special. Whether it’s stepping onto the court for Scotland or helping develop the next generation of players, her passion is evident. The sport has given her unforgettable experiences, lifelong friendships, and countless memories. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, tactical, and inclusive sport, dodgeball might be the perfect fit—just as it was for Holly
