Registrations are now open for the 2024 Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy program, designed to identify and develop South Australia's future netball stars. After a successful pilot program in 2022, which saw 12 athletes make up 48% of Netball SA’s 2023 17U State Squad, feedback highlighted the desire to strengthen the pathway while maintaining a strong presence in regional South Australia. As a result, Netball SA introduced an evolved structure in 2023 to elevate the pathway from grassroots competitions to Netball SA’s State Teams and beyond and create greater development opportunities for regional coaches. The structure now consists of one Emerging Academy and six Development Academies based in locations across SA and allow for additional spaces. The 2024 Development Academy locations will be Berri, Jamestown, Keith, Metro, Port Lincoln and Willunga. Trials will be held in each of the above locations and athletes will have the chance to be selected in either the Emerging Academy or a Development Academy.REGISTER HERE
The Head Coach of the Emerging Academy (EA) will design the on-court program that all academies will follow. The EA will receive additional access to extra-curricular activities, including psychology, nutrition, leadership development and Adelaide Thunderbirds exposure and mentoring.
The Development Academies (DA) will be held across six regions - Jamestown, Keith, Metro, Port Lincoln and Willunga - following an identical on-court program as designed by the Head Coach of the Emerging Academy. Coaches will receive ongoing mentoring and development opportunities.
Trials will be held in February . To be eligible for the program athletes must be born between 2008 and 2010 and must have played Div 1 or 2 in their age group in 2023 or played in a top two senior team in association in 2023.
Coaching applications are now open. Each Development Academy will have a Lead and Assistant Coach who will receive ongoing mentoring from the Head and Assistant Coach of the Emerging Academy, and development opportunities with invited presenters.
Trial dates for the Acadamies are outlined below. Four trainings will be held on Sundays across May, June, July and August and will be communicated with trials information.
All athletes selected in the Academy program will progress to Netball SA's 17U State Team trials.
| Academy | Time | Date | Location |
| Emerging Academy Sessions | 10am - 3pm |
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| Emerging Academy Camp | 10am -3 pm |
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| Academy | Time | Date | Location |
| Jamestown | 10am - 3pm |
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'Big Shed' Sports Stadium |
| Keith | 10am -3 pm |
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Keith War Memorial Centre |
| Metro | 10am - 3pm |
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| Port Lincoln | 10am - 3pm |
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Port Lincoln Leisure Centre - YMCA |
| Willunga | 10am - 3pm |
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Willunga Recreation Centre |
Prices will range from $265 to $650 depending on the Academy program. Uniforms are included in the pricing.
Athletes will register to trial for the Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy which will be conducted between February and March. Successful athletes will be selected in either the Emerging Academy or the Development Academy in their region.
• 14 to 16 year olds (born in 2008, 2009 or 2010) • Must have played Div 1 or 2 in their age group in 2023, or • Played in a top two senior team in association in 2023
The structure will allow for up to 20 positions in each Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy.
Five of the Six Development Academies will be based in regional South Australia. Trials will be held in the relevant region as will training sessions throughout the year. Regional coaches are encouraged to apply for the the Lead and Assistant Coach roles and successful applicants will receive ongoing mentoring and development opportunities.
The five Development Academies will be based in Berri, Jamestown, Keith, Metro (Adelaide), Port Lincoln and Willunga, and the Emerging Academy will be based in Adelaide.
All athletes selected into the Academy program will progress through to Netball SA's 17U State Team trials.
Athletes will register to trial for the Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy which will be conducted between February and March. Successful athletes will be selected in either the Emerging Academy or the Development Academy in their region.