Scotland's only female basketball pundit is PE teacher aiming for the Olympics

Daily Record

13 hours ago

Rather than taking the traditional coaching path after retiring from the Caledonia Gladiators, former pro player Rona Lightbody chose a lesser-travelled route for former players - sports commentary.
From the basketball court to the commentary booth, Rona Lightbody is far from your average PE teacher.
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And now, the former professional basketball player turned commentator is on a mission to raise the profile of the women's sport across the UK in her role commentating on games on BBC and DAZN.
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The Glasgow-based mother, who retired from East Kilbride-based Caledonia Gladiators in 2023, is now championing the game from the sidelines, having become Scotland's only professional female basketball commentator.
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Rona began her career with amateur club St Mirren but spent the majority of her playing time with the Lady Rocks, which made space for what is now Caledonia Gladiators - Scotland's only professional basketball franchise.
As a skilful and determined player, known for her tenacious playing style, her career took her to Spain to play for Reus Ploms followed by a stint in London before she eventually returned home to Scotland in 2019.
After becoming pregnant in 2023, half-way through her first professional season with Caledonia Gladiators, Rona made the decision to step away from competitive sport.
Rather than taking the traditional coaching path, she chose a lesser-travelled route for former players - sports commentary. She has commentated on over 50 professional games and has worked for both the BBC and streaming site DAZN.
Rona is now setting her sights set on broadcasting at the Commonwealth Games, and possibly even the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
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She said: 'What started out as a hobby and a way to pass time during lockdown has turned into an actual career opportunity. I would love to be involved in the Commonwealth Games and potentially even the Olympics, representing Scotland as our only female basketball broadcaster.
'Commentating on basketball isn't like a football game. It's much more fast-paced, and there is an art to picking the moment to highlight. Having played for 25 years, I know the game incredibly well, so I am able to pinpoint the aspects which are the most exciting to spectators.
'Preparation is key. You've got to know your stats, your player stories, and be ready to narrate the flow of the game in real-time. And there's a lot more pressure when commentating on the men's game, as people naturally view female commentators differently in the context of men's sports.'
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Rona first found a passion for broadcasting during Covid when she was asked to commentate on Caledonia Pride games by Lisa Palombo, head of professional teams at Caledonia Gladiators, to help promote the game.
With basketball's popularity rising and women's sport gaining unprecedented visibility, she believes there's a collective responsibility to champion the game's benefits.
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She said: 'Rome wasn't built in a day, but we have seen so many positive developments in women's basketball in recent years, and Caledonia Gladiators have been instrumental in making the game accessible beyond the school system.
'The game has been such a big part of my life for 25 years, and I feel a responsibility to do my part to increase the visibility of the benefits it can bring to a community.
'In sport the focus is often on the attracting the youth to sustain growth, but there is also a responsibility to ensure we don't lose experience. When players move on, they often disappear from the game, and that loss of knowledge weakens the ecosystem.
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'Coaching isn't the only path; there are so many other ways you can stay involved in the game.'
As both a commentator and PE teacher, Rona is passionate about inspiring young people to stay active and engaged with sport.
Rona went on: 'I see first-hand the impact sport has on young people, physically, mentally, and socially. It builds confidence, teamwork, and communication. Basketball, in particular, is a great school sport because it's so accessible especially with the growth of 3x3, but I'd love to see more people stick with it beyond school.
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'Having Caledonia Gladiators in Scotland really is crucial for developing the game, and they have done a fantastic job in developing the game-experience for fans.'
Earlier this year, Caledonia Gladiators became the first women's basketball team in Scotland to attract over 1000 fans to a home game. The historic milestone came just weeks after they secured major silverware, winning the Super League Basketball Trophy Final in January 2025.
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Lisa Palombo said: 'Rona is a shining example of the opportunities sport can provide women on and off the court. She was always a headstrong player that took everything on with gusto and she has carried that same natural flair she had for playing into commentary.
"She was always willing to put her all into the first step without knowing what would come next. We're lucky to have her advocating for the sport and supporting the club in such a powerful way.'