Wiltshire Netball aspires to be a major feeder to U15 and U17 programmes within various franchises. Wiltshire Netball works particularly closely with Bath and their Performance Pathway coaches. To achieve that goal, we must develop more performance athletes who can function both individually and as a leading team. This aspiration provides the beacon to guide all performance activity and decision-making, including the management & delivery of the identification, and development of athletes within the County Player Pathway Programmes. 

The development of a leading county programme is dependent upon building a squad of athletes with depth and breadth across all positions on the court and the ability to function as individual national level athletes in a team environment.

WCNA has developed additional pathways as opportunities for a greater number of athletes across our county to develop and hone their netballing skills.  For a number of years, the county has been heavily subsidising the costs of these programmes and this is no longer sustainable or financially viable.  We have therefore had to increase fees to allow us to continue to run the range of pathway programmes and retain the high quality of our experienced coaching team and our excellent resources and facilities.

WILTSHIRE U13 AND U15 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES (Previously known as Satellite and County Academies) 

APPLICATIONS FOR THE U13 AND U15 PDP SCREENING CAN BE MADE USING THIS GOOGLE FORMS LINK

County Trial Form https://forms.gle/mRwrZsUVLsUbNuxRA

U13 Initial screenings will be held on 15th May and 12th June with Final screening for athletes selected at the initial screening will take place in September 2025

U15 Initial screening events will be held on the 22nd May and 19th June with final trials in September.

GUIDANCE FOR NOMINATORS

England Netball has produced guidance for nominators which can be found by clicking here   This will provide information to assist nominators to understand the attributes and characteristics required by players who are being put forward for screening/trials.


UNDER 13 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (formerly Satellite Academy)

Purpose of the Programme: Learn, Love, Win - Learn the game, Love the journey, Win deep - for further details click here

Outcome of the Programme: This is the first entrance into the player pathway and the focus is on individual development. The emphasis is on athletes learning how to train with decision making being a pivotal element, alongside developing resilience and skills required to play netball. Learning the game as well as loving the game with a sense of working together is essential to enhance their experiences at this early stage.

Duration and Structure of Training Programme: September/October – May, minimum 30 hours of coaching and match play opportunities against other county U13 PDP squads

Venue/Times:  Weekly 6-00pm-7.30pm The Deanery School Pegler’s Way Swindon

                        Weekly 5.30-6.45pm Amesbury Leisure Centre Holders Road Amesbury

Programme Cost: Cost of the programme is £245 with monthly payment options of 7 x £35 available.  Bursaries are available in cases of financial hardship and application should be made via the WCNA financial support form 

Number of Groups: 2

Number of Athletes: 20 athletes per group

Age of Athletes: U13 (School Years 6, 7 & 8 (in September)

Duration of Time Athletes are in Programme:- An athlete may spend between 6 months to 2 years at this stage.

Level of Coach: Sessions are led by England Netball Level 2 qualified coaches  Coaching Philosophy

Relevant Competition:  Under 12/Under 13 county/regional leagues, tournaments and inter-school competitions.

Athlete Identification and Selection:  Initial screenings will be held on 15th May and 12th June with final screening for athletes selected at the initial screening will take place in September 2025

Cost of Attending Screening: £15 payable in advance to Wiltshire Netball (details on application form)

Athlete Progression: County U15 PDP

How to Apply: Applications will be by Google form, players can be nominated by Teachers and Club Coaches or be invited by existing lead coaches to attend

 

UNDER 15 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (formerly County Academy)

Purpose of the Programme: Learn, Love, Win - Learn the game, Love the journey, Win deep - to find out more click here

Outcome of the Programme: The emphasis remains on understanding learning how to train and compete with competition being used to consolidate game understanding, refining skills, and see improvements in decision making.

Duration and Structure of Training Programme: September/October – May, minimum 30 hours of contact time and match play opportunities against other county U15 PDP squads

Venue/Times: Marlborough College Bath Road Marlborough weekly on Thursday evenings. Timing TBC and the session may include Strength & Conditioning, but this is currently not available.

Programme Cost: Cost of the programme £245.  7 x £35 Instalment payments option available.  Bursaries are available in cases of financial hardship and application should be made via the WCNA financial support form 

Number of Groups: 1

Number of Athletes: 20 athletes per group.

Age of Athletes:  U14/U15 (Years 8,9 & 10 from September)

Duration of Time Athletes are in Programme:  An athlete may spend between 6 months to 2 years at this stage.

Level of Coach: Sessions are led by England Netball Level 2 qualified coaches  Coaching Philosophy

Relevant Competition: Under-14/Under-16 County League/Tournament or Under-14/Under-16 Regional League, inter-school competition and Under-15 School Games 

Athlete Identification and Selection: Initial screening events will be held on the 22nd May and 19th June with final trials in September.

Cost of Attending Screening: £15 payable in advance to Wiltshire Netball (details on application form)

Athlete Progression: Franchise U15 Academy (NPL), U17 Academy or other programmes.  

(NB: There is no automatic entry to the next stage of the player pathway.  Players can apply to attend trials for any number of franchise programmes).

How to apply: Applications by Google form  

County Trial Form https://forms.gle/mRwrZsUVLsUbNuxRA      

In addition to the England Netball Programmes Wiltshire Netball have established an U15 Futures North Swindon and a U15 Futures South Amesbury (Previously Wiltshire Development Group). Both these groups follow the same training sessions as the County Group without S & C and have been established to provide opportunities to more athletes. Athletes have the ability to move between any of the groups throughout the season and can also be asked to leave the programme.    Cost of the programme £245.  7 x £35 Instalment payments option available.  Bursaries are available in cases of financial hardship and application should be made via the WCNA financial support form 

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME COACHES

We are keen to hear from coaches who have experience of working with performance athletes, as well as from young or inexperienced coaches who would like to gain some experience as an "apprentice" coach within the Player Pathway. Any coach who would like to get involved with Wiltshire Netball's Player Development Programme should contact the County Player Development Lead, Tracy Watt, via email wcnapdp@gmail.com to express an interest.

England Netball Player Pathway - Mission and Objectives

England Netball is committed to setting new standards for netball, showcasing inspiring performances by outstanding players in international tournaments. It will support the Roses to achieve recognition and respect as the world’s best female sports team and prepare future Roses for the specific demands of international netball to ensure that there is an oversupply of Roses-ready players available for selection.  It will develop robust talent recruitment systems and processes that allow talented players from all backgrounds to be identified and to access the pathway. Its performance ambitions are:

  • The Roses consistently beating other top-ranked nations and winning back-to-back Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup titles
  • The Roses being held in esteem for a clear, recognisable and respected ‘Roses Way’ being demonstrated daily by players on and off-court
  • World-class depth of Roses-ready players in all positions, competing for places in the Roses team
  • The Roses team being made up of players from a range of backgrounds and locations

For more information on the England Netball Player Pathway please click here.