PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT

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 this 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.

Wiltshire U13 Player Development Programmes
(previously known as Satellite)

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for the U13 Player Development Programme screening are no longer being accepted.

Guidance for Nominators

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

U13 Player Development Programme

Purpose of the Programme: Learn, Love, Win

Learn the game
Love the journey
Win deep

You can find more information 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 20 hours of coaching and match play opportunities against other county U13 PDP squads.

Venue/times:

Weekly 6pm-7.30pm The Deanery School, Peglers Way, Swindon
Weekly 5.30-6.45pm Amesbury Leisure Centre, Holders Road, Amesbury

Programme cost: The cost of the programme is £210 with monthly payment options of 7 x £30 available. Bursaries are available in cases of financial hardship and applications should be made by emailing Wiltshire County Chair wcnachair@outlook.com using the linked application 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. The final screening for athletes selected at the initial screenings will take place in September 2025.

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

Athlete Progression: County U15 Player Development Programme.

How to Apply: Applications will be by Google form, players can be nominated by teachers and club coaches or be invited to attend by existing lead coaches.

Wiltshire U15 Player Development Programme
(previously known as County Academies)

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for the U15 Player Development Programme screening are no longer being accepted.

Guidance for Nominators

U15 Player Development Programme

Purpose of the Programme: Learn, Love, Win

Learn the game
Love the journey
Win deep

You can find more information 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 50 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 5.45 - 8pm, includes strength & conditioning session.

Programme Cost: Cost of the programme £210. 7 x £30 instalment payments option available. Bursaries are available in cases of financial hardship and application should be made by emailing the Wiltshire County Chair a wcnachair@outlook.com using the linked application 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 his 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 County Netball Association (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 .

In addition to the England Netball Programmes Wiltshire Netball has established an U15 Futures North Swindon and a U15 Futures South Amesbury (previously Wiltshire Development Group). Both of these groups follow the same training sessions as the County Group without strength and conditioning 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.

Player Development Programme Coaches

We are keen to hear from coaches who have experience of working with performance athletes as well as 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 email Tracy Watt, Wilts County Player Development Lead, 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.