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 the athlete is being considered for as part of the Competition Squad (as applicable).
Please note, if successful athletes will need to provide evidence of Welsh eligibility.
- U21 – Athletes eligible for U21 National Academy must be no younger than 19 years of age or older than 20 years of age by 31st December 2025. (Born in 2005, 2006)
- 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, 2009)
- U17 – Athletes eligible for U17 National Academy must be no older than 16 years of age by 31st December 2026. (Birth year 2010 or younger)
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 £200 per athlete.
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:
- Pay in full via Sport:80.
- Payment Plan - split over 4 months. Instructions sent to athletes upon request.
- 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 National Academy selection letter.
- All trial information will be available on https://walesnetball.sport80.com/
- Please ensure your Sport:80 contact information is up to date and input the correct email when registering as this is how you will be contacted.
- If you have any queries about this, please email walesnetball@walesnetball.com
- No, all players must register/book/and pay the trial fee by the deadline.
- Athletes are welcome to apply to attend the National Academy trial as long as they meet the criteria, which is detailed on Sport:80.
- We will need to monitor the trial application numbers due to health and safety, venue restrictions, and to ensure the numbers are manageable for the selectors on the day.
- 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, we are not able to accept late entries after the deadline has passed. This date was put in place to give ourselves and the selectors sufficient time to prepare before the trials take place.
- 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, by emailing walesnetball@walesnetball.com
- 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.
- U21 National Academy trials will take place at Cardiff University Sport Village (Talybont), 12 Bevan Place, Cardiff, CF14 3UX.
- U19 National Academy trials will take place at Cardiff City House of Sport, Clos Parc Morgannwg, Cardiff, CF11 8AW.
- U17 National Academy trials - TBC
- All trial information will be available on Sport:80 when you register, including date, time and venue.
- Please make a 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, no jewellery, 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
- The trial will include a skills session and match play.
- Athletes will be selected based on performance in both areas.
- 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.