Wales Netball
January 27, 2025
At Wales Netball, we are committed to raising the profile of all our Academies across Wales and to recognise the hard work of athletes and coaches put into their weekly training. We currently have 9 Regional Academies across Wales, which are home to over 550 talented athletes from the U13, U15 and U17* age groups.
Regional Academies are the first step on our Performance Pathway and are vital to ensuring success at all levels. The Regional Academies focus on skill development, winning behaviours and culture, aligned to the ‘Welsh Way’ and provide a valuable training environment for talented athletes from across Wales to take their first steps towards international representation at age group level.
The first spotlight in 2025 is on our Regional Academy based at Coleg Gwent.
About the Coleg Gwent Regional Academy
The Coleg Gwent Regional Academy is based at Crosskeys Campus and is led by Head Coach Emma Meredith, supported by Assistant Coach Carys Portlock, who is also Head Coach of the U13 Regional Academy squad.
Carys Portlock (U13 Head Coach & U15/17 Assistant Coach):
I take pride in working with athletes who are enthusiastic about developing their skills – the athletes we work with show huge dedication to their own development as we train together weekly on a Tuesday from 4:30 until 5:30pm. During the sessions, the athletes are always open to asking questions and are eager to learn. The Regional Academy sessions promote positive play within each unit.
Holly Wise (Coleg Gwent Regional Academy athlete) said “Regional Academy netball is something I love being a part of! The coaches and players make the experience really enjoyable and make the team an amazing thing to be included in. The coaching and competitive atmosphere have helped me to see so much improvement in my skills since I started and push me to perform my best every time. Since being a part of the Academy, my love for netball and my performance on the court have really elevated. Regional Academy has been influential in developing young talent within netball and provides a fun, but structured, environment for skill development and learning from determined and motivational coaches. This pathway is great for enhancing our game and prepare us for high levels of competition, and I’m grateful for the opportunities it offers!”
Emma Meredith (U15/17 Head Coach):
The U15s and U17s are highly dedicated groups of players. Their high work ethic and approach to learning means that athletes stretch and challenge themselves in the sessions each week. The athletes enhance their skill development which allows them to adjust to their opposition based on the Welsh Way. The Academy has played fixtures against Cardiff University Regional Academy and also USW/Coleg Y Cymoedd Regional Academy this season – ensuring that we see these key skills in match play.
Follow the links below to view our Coleg Gwent Regional Academy squads for the 2024/25 season!
Training Information:
Coleg Gwent, Crosskeys Campus, Risca Road, Crosskeys, NP11 7ZA
About Coleg Gwent
Coleg Gwent is Wales’s largest further education college, with various locations in the former county of Gwent, South Wales. It has 24,000 students ranging from secondary school leavers to mature students. The college offers a wide range of part-time and full-time academic and vocational courses.
The college has announced two open event dates for prospective students. The first will be held on Tuesday, 28th January (5 pm – 7:30 pm), and the second on Saturday 22nd March (10am – 12:30pm). The events will give students a chance to learn about the courses on offer and explore the college’s facilities. To find out more about Coleg Gwent, head to their website, or follow them on social media using the handles below.
Instagram: @coleggwent, @coleggwentcymraeg
Facebook: @coleggwent, @coleggwentcymraeg
Twitter (X): @coleggwent, @coleggwentcymraeg
*NB: U17 Athletes can be up to 21 years of age and attend a Regional Academy, provided they are not accessing any other high-performance netball.
