Wales Netball
February 23, 2024
In 2024, our aim is to increase awareness of our Regional Academies across Wales and acknowledge the commitment and hard work of the athletes and coaches involved in their weekly training.
We currently have eight Regional Academies across Wales, which cater to over 400 talented athletes from the U15 & U17 age groups. The Regional Academies form the foundation of our Performance Pathway and focus on skill and culture development, aligned to the ‘Welsh Way’. They provide a valuable training environment for talented athletes from all over Wales to take their first steps towards international representation at age-group level.
Our first spotlight is on the Regional Academy based at Bangor University.
Throughout the last month, the Bangor University Regional Academy has been focusing on understanding Defensive Principles, and the stages of defence. The Regional Academy’s focus on these defensive principles will help athletes to effectively apply them in on-court scenarios.
Head Coach Simone Gould spoke highly of the Bangor University Regional Academy, stating that they had a great first year. The Northwest of Wales has a huge pool of talent, and working with them to strengthen their technical skills and tactical awareness is a pleasure. The Regional Academy at Bangor University has a wide range of clubs represented, allowing players to build new friendships while improving their netball skills. All players give their best efforts during training and engage with all activities, creating a positive and supportive environment. The players we work with are aiming to be selected into the Wales Netball National Academy each season, with some hoping to represent Wales at age group international level and ultimately the Welsh Feathers one day. Five of the Bangor University Regional Academy players have been elevated into National Academy Squads this year, making them role models for the rest of the players in the Academy. Head Coach Simone Gould and Assistant Coach Cara Roberts are excited to see what the rest of this season brings as they prepare for the Regional Academy Tournament in July.
Bangor University has a rich history of excellence, dating back to its establishment in 1884. It is known for surpassing academic standards and fostering student excellence. With a student body of around 10,000, Bangor University offers a dynamic and progressive environment for learning. The University is organised into nine academic schools, each dedicated to advancing teaching and research. Recently, Bangor University was ranked the second-best university in Wales by Student Crowd in 2023 and was among the top five universities of the year according to the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards in 2022.
Visit the Bangor University website or follow them on their social media accounts to learn more about the institution:
