Netball SA has announced an evolved structure to its Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy (ATTA) following extensive consultation with participants and key stakeholders across the State.
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 will introduce 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 will consist of one Emerging Academy and five Development Academies based in locations across SA and allow for 40 additional spaces compared to 2022.
It will continue to focus on preparing athletes for State Team trials, after a survey revealed 88% of parents felt the program assisted in preparing their child for trials and future pathway opportunities.
In addition, 79% of athletes ‘strongly agreed’ they developed as an athlete over the course of the program and the remaining 21% ‘agreed’.
2023 Development Academy locations:
- Berri
- Clare
- Keith
- Metro
- Whyalla
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.
All six Academies will follow an identical on-court program and the Emerging Academy will receive additional access to extra-curricular activities, including psychology, nutrition, leadership development and Adelaide Thunderbirds exposure and mentoring.
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, who will design the on-court program.
Netball CEO Bronwyn Klei said although the 2022 pilot program delivered successful results, reviewing the structure in consultation with the community was paramount.
“The pilot program was full of achievements, culminating in 12 ATTA athletes making up 48% of our 2023 17U State Team and a series of strong results from our player and parent survey,” Ms Klei said.
“As with any pilot, it was always our intention to review and work closely with our community to ensure we are delivering the best possible pathway program for our next generation of elite netballers.
“We collated feedback taken prior, during and after the 2022 program and underwent extensive consultation with key stakeholders to confirm our evolved structure for 2023.
“I look forward to another strong year of the ATTA and seeing our next Hannah Pettys and Georgie Horjus’ emerge from all across South Australia.”
Trials will be held on the following dates:
Clare: Saturday, 25 February 2023
Berri: Sunday, 26 February 2023
Whyalla: Sunday, 5 March 2023
Metro: Thursday, 9 March 2023
Keith: Sunday, 19 March 2023
For more information and to register, please click HERE.
Netball SA is also calling for coaching applications, click HERE to apply.
