- This year our U15 and U17 Regional Academy age group trials will be slightly different to previous years in that they will be split into two stages.
- Athletes who have performed exceptionally well during the 2024/25 season will be selected by their Coaches to automatically progress to stage two of the trials, which will take place in September. Athletes will have been informed of this by email before the July trials take place.
- Stage one for all remaining athletes will be at the open trials in July, those successful in the July trials will then progress to stage two in September where they will come together with the automatic selections, and where Coaches can make their final decisions on who they would like to include in their Regional Academy squads.
- This format will ensure that we are able to see as many athletes as possible, within the health and safety guidelines, and a final trial will allow Coaches to ensure all athletes are of the same standard, to select their final Regional Academy squads.
Athletes are welcome to apply to trial for Wales Netball’s Regional Academy 2025/26 provided you are:
- Within the age parameters detailed in each age group
- Residing in Wales
- Meet the Wales Netball eligibility criteria
Wales Netball Eligibility Criteria
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).
- U13 – Athletes eligible for U13 Regional Academy must be no younger than 11 years of age or older than 12 years of age by 31st December 2025. (Born in 2013, 2014)
- U15 – Athletes eligible for U15 Regional 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)
- U17 – Athletes eligible for U17 Regional 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)
- Athletes may be over the age of 17, and up to the age of 21 provided you are not accessing another high-performance netball programme.
The age criteria for Regional Academy is in line with our National Academy age criteria and also that of Europe Netball.
Athletes will be required to pay the Regional Academy fees to secure their place into the Regional Academy programme.
- The fees for U15/U17 Regional Academy this year will be £335 per athlete.
- The fees for U13 Regional Academy this year will be £260 per athlete.
The Regional Academy fee payment deadline will be approximately one week after athletes are informed of their selection.
Regional 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 Regional Academy fees:
-
- Pay in full via Sport:80.
- Payment Plan - split over 5 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 Regional Academy fees will be detailed in the Regional Academy selection letter.
- All trial information will be available on https://walesnetball.sport80.com/
- Find your Regional Academy trial, fill in all the information and pay the trial fee.
- The trial fee is £15.
- Athletes cannot register for multiple venues.
- Please read the trial information carefully to ensure you are signing up to the correct trial as there is no guarantee we will be able to change this.
- No, all players must register/book/and pay the trial fee by the deadline.
- Yes, as long as you meet the Regional Academy trial criteria.
- Athletes who were in the Regional 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 Regional 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 50 trialists per trial for the U15 and U17 age groups, and 40 trialists per trial for the U13 age group.
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, and this will be determined on a first come first served basis.
- 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 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.
The U15 and U17 Regional Academy trials will take place at the following venues:
House of Sport, Clos Parc Morgannwg, Cardiff, CF11 8AW
- Bridgend College, Cardiff University, Gower College, Coleg Gwent, USW/Coleg Y Cymoedd, University of Wales Trinity St David
Bangor University, Canolfan Brailsford, Ffriddoedd Road, Bangor, LL57 2EH
- Bangor University
Rhosnesni Leisure & Activity Centre, Rhosnesni Lane, Wrexham, LL13 9ET
- Coleg Cambria
The U13 trials will vary by Regional Academy so please check this information carefully on Sport:80.
- 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, 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 start with a skills session, lead by our Regional Academy coaches, and then continue into 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.
Each Regional Academy trains once per week, excluding the school holidays. Training typically starts in September and finishes in June. Athletes will be informed of their training dates, if successful, in their selection letter.
- The U13 Regional Academy squads train for 1 hour per week
- The U15 and U17 Regional Academy squads train for 1.5 hours per week
Below are the current training details for the 2024/25 season, which are likely to remain the same for 2025/26:
If you would like further information about Regional Academy squads and training, please contact us via email - walesnetball@walesnetball.com