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Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy
Helping the Thunderbirds of tomorrow fly
Registrations are now open for the 2026 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 five Development Academies based in locations across SA and allow for additional spaces.
- Metro Academy:
28/03/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
29/03/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena (invitation only)
Regional Academies: 12/04/2026 10:00am – 1:30pm
- Jamestown Academy
- Port Lincoln Academy
- Willunga Academy
- Keith / Mt Gambier Academy
- Emerging Academy: Sunday 19 April (Invitation Only)
10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Training Dates 2026
Training 1 03/05/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Training 2 31/05/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Training 3 28/06/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Training 4 09/08/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Camp Accommodation:
TBC
All squads to train on the same day at their respective venues
Training 1 24/05/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm
Training 2 21/06/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm
Training 3 26/07/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm
Training 4 30/08/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm
*dates subject to change due to venue availability.
Registrations and Key Dates
- Athlete Registrations Open: 27 January 2026
- Athlete Registrations Close: Sunday 15 March 2026
- Metro Trials: Saturday 28 March and Sunday 29 March (29 March by Invitation Only)
- Regional Trials: Sunday 12 April 2026
- Emerging Trials: Sunday 19 April 2026 (Invitation Only)
- Squads announced: TBC
Emerging Trainings:
Training 1 03/05/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Training 2 31/05/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Training 3 28/06/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Training 4 09/08/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm Adelaide Arena
Development Trainings:
Training 1 24/05/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm
Training 2 21/06/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm
Training 3 26/07/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm
Training 4 30/08/2026 10:00am – 3.00pm
- Development Coach Reports Due: TBC
- Emerging Coach Reports Due: TBC
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 five 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.
Program Structure
Trials will be held in March/April. To be eligible for the program athletes must be born in 2010, 2011 or 2012.
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.
To be confirmed
All athletes selected in the Academy program will progress to Netball SA's 17U State team trials.
FAQs
Academy trials are $25.80
Costings for the Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Development Academy will be $275.00 + Uniform
Costings for the Emerging Academy will be $425.00 + Uniform
Athletes will register to trial for the Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy which will be conducted between March and April. Successful athletes will be selected in either the Emerging Academy or the Development Academy in their region.
14 to 16 year olds - To be eligible for the program athletes must be born in 2010, 2011 or 2012.
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 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 March and April. Successful athletes will be selected in either the Emerging Academy or the Development Academy in their region.
For any questions or more information, please email or call (08) 8238 0500
