Helping the Thunderbirds of tomorrow fly

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

Academy Structure

Program snapshot

Emerging Academy Coaches

Jamestown Development Academy

Keith Development Academy

Metro Development Academy

Port Lincoln Development Academy

Willunga Development Academy

Emerging Academy Dates 

Academy  Time    Date  Location 
Emerging Academy Sessions 10am - 3pm 
  • April 28th
  • June 2nd
  • July 21st
  • August 11th
  • Netball SA Stadium
  • Netball SA Stadium
  • Netball SA Stadium
  • St Michaels College
Emerging Academy Camp 10am -3 pm 
  • September 28th
  • September 29th
  • Netball SA Stadium
  • Netball SA Stadium

 

Developing Academy Dates 

Academy  Time    Date  Location 
Jamestown  10am - 3pm 
  • May 19th 
  • June 23rd 
  • July 28th
  • August 25th 
'Big Shed' Sports Stadium
Keith  10am -3 pm 
  • May 19th 
  • June 23rd 
  • July 28th
  • August 25th 
Keith War Memorial Centre 
Metro  10am - 3pm
  • May 19th 
  • June 23rd 
  • July 28th
  • August 25th 
  • Netball SA Stadium  
  • St Michael's College 
  • St Michael's College 
  • St Michael's College  
Port Lincoln 10am - 3pm 
  • May 19th 
  • June 23rd 
  • July 28th
  • August 25th 
Port Lincoln Leisure Centre - YMCA 
Willunga  10am - 3pm 
  • May 19th 
  • June 23rd 
  • July 21st
  • August 25th 
Willunga Recreation Centre 

FAQs

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.

Have a question about our Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy?

Contact our Pathways Manager, Roz Fraser to learn more

Get in touch