NATIONAL ACADEMY TRIALS

To be eligible for selection into the Wales Netball Performance Programme and the Wales Netball Competition Squads, an Athlete must:

• Be eligible to play for Wales at the World Netball Championships (as determined by World Netball regulations applicable at the appropriate time).
• Born in Wales, have at least one parent of Welsh nationality, or one grandparent of Welsh nationality.
• Have acquired Welsh nationality by marriage or naturalisation or have resided in Wales continuously for three years immediately prior to the date of entry into the Programme or the date of the international event she is being considered for as part of the Competition Squad (as applicable).

• U21/23 – Athletes eligible for U21/23 National Academy must be no younger than 19 years of age or older than 22 years of age by 31st December 2025. (Born 2006-2003)
• U19 – Athletes eligible for U19 National Academy must be no younger than 17 years of age or older than 18 years of age by 31st December 2025. (Born in 2007, 2008)
• U17 – Athletes eligible for U17 National Academy must be no younger than 15 years of age or older than 16 years of age by 31st December 2025. (Born in 2009, 2010)
• U15 – Athletes eligible for U15 National Academy must be no younger than 13 years of age or older than 14 years of age by 31st December 2025. (Born in 2011, 2012)

Athletes will be required to pay the National Academy fees to secure their place into the National Academy programme. 

• The fees for National Academy this year will be £400 per athlete. 
• There will be a 10% discount for those athletes that are also in a Regional Academy. You will be sent a Sport:80 discount code to apply at checkout.

The National Academy fee payment deadline will be approximately one week after athletes are informed of their selection.

National Academy fees will be added to the successful athlete's Sport:80 profile along with the Athlete Squad. You will receive a notification from Sport:80 to let you know that you have an action required. Once you receive this notification you will be able to make payment.

There are a number of ways to pay National Academy fees:

1. 1. Pay in full via Sport:80.
   2. Payment Plan - split over 4 months. Instructions sent to athletes upon request.
   3. Support Fund - If any athletes are facing financial hardship they can apply to the Wales Netball Support Fund.

More information on National Academy fees will be detailed in the Regional Academy selection letter.

• All trial information will be available on https://walesnetball.sport80.com/
• Find your National Academy trial, fill in all the information and pay the trial fee.
• The trial fee is £20.

• No, all players must register/book/and pay the trial fee by the deadline.

• Yes, as long as you meet the National Academy trial criteria.
• Athletes who were in the National Academy the previous season will trial alongside those who register and meet the trial criteria, if they are staying in their age group.
• Athletes who were in the National Academy the previous season and will move up an age group, will need to re-register and attend a trial for their new age group.

• Yes, the trial numbers are capped at 80 trialists per trial.
  This is due to health and safety, venue restrictions, and to ensure the numbers are manageable for the selectors on the day.
• We will have a waiting list in place for those who were unable to register due to the limited numbers which you will be automatically directed to when the trial becomes full.
• We will be routinely reviewing the numbers to see if we can accept any more entries from the waiting list, if we are able to then individuals will be notified by email if they have been accepted onto the trial.

• Yes, you need to register to trial, so that you can be considered for the pathway when you have completed your return to play.

• Unfortunately, you will not be accepted for a trial. As we have a high number of applicants, we cannot accept applications after the deadline has passed.

• When you register and pay for the trials you will receive a confirmation of payment email. You may be asked to show this to the organisers on the day of the trial. Please note that if you cannot produce this document, you will be unable to trial.
• If you do not receive this document within a short time of applying, please email walesnetball@walesnetball.com before the closing date to seek assistance.

• No, trial fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Please let us know if you are registered for a trial and are unable to attend as we may be able to arrange for a late trial, however this is not guaranteed.

• No, due to the volume of trialists we are unable to provide individual feedback.

• No, trials will be closed, and no spectators will be able to watch the trial. If there are any illnesses or injuries, then parents will be contacted.

• National Academy trials will take place at Cardiff City House of Sport, Clos Parc Morgannwg
  Cardiff, CF11 8AW.

• All trial information will be available on Sport:80 when you register, including date, time and venue. Please make note of this, as it may be different from previous years.
• Athletes are asked to arrive between 20-30 minutes earlier to register, and make sure they are prepared (i.e., nails short, hair tied back, any strapping/support in place, ready to play).

• Please wear a plain black top, and black bottoms (shorts/skirt or leggings).
• No club/franchise or Regional Academy/National Academy kit is to be worn at the trial.

• Plenty of water
• Healthy snacks
• Any medication you are required to take for health issues (please let the organiser/coaches know if you are taking any medication)
• A towel

• At our trials athletes will be selected based on performance in match play, and this is where their skills will be assessed.

• Depending on the number of applicants and time, you will play enough matches so that all selectors can see you more than once.
• The rounds will be placed up on the wall, and you will be able to write down/take a picture of what rounds/position you will be playing.
• There will be helpers there to assist should you need.

• If you have put down two playing positions, you will play both. However, you may play one over the other, and be asked to fill in another position occasionally if needed.
• Selectors will be made aware if it is your first or second choice position, or if you are filling in for a position.

• Within 72 hours, or 3 working days of your trial taking place.
• Please ensure all contact information is correct and up to date when applying on Sport:80 to avoid any delays.