Country and city netballers to have equal opportunity in new Netball SA Thunderbirds academy

Young regional and metropolitan netballers will have the chance to train with the best in 2022. Here’s how your child can score a spot.

80 young South Australian netballers will have the chance to join a revolutionary new netball academy with Netball SA’s chief ensuring an equal opportunity for both regional and city-based players.

The state’s head netball body’s academy program – which began in 2002 – was recently overhauled from nine separate academy locations to four.

The academy, now known as the Adelaide Thunderbirds Talent Academy, will see 80 netballers selected through trials.

Participants will undergo five sessions, some with Thunderbirds players and coaches, throughout the year, split between regional and suburban areas.

Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei (middle), and Thunderbirds Hannah Petty – who came through the state’s academy program – and Matilda Garrett. Klei said the new program would be a big boost for the sport in SA. Picture: Mark Brake

“We found that the numbers had been a bit diluted and that it was becoming increasingly harder to secure top accredited coaches around the state for the program,” Netball SA chief Bronwyn Klei said.

“It’s quite a reinvention but after 20 years we felt this was the way to go.”

Along with the announcement have come concerns young regional netballers will miss out due to challenges around travel, and in the capped number of spots up for grabs.

Klei said these concerns could be addressed.

“I think there are some valid concerns especially around travel and costs. It is a pilot program and there will be tweaks and we want to address everything and make sure there’s equal opportunity,” she said.

Western Border representatives Emily Denton, Tenille and Piper Paul ahead of last year’s SA Country Championships. They could be three of the lucky participants in the state’s new academy. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“We will continue to run representative teams and the SA Country Championships as well.

“The new program is very, very good and it’s going to give players from around the state a chance to enter elite pathways in the sport. It will be great for netball in SA.”

Long-time South East coach Jane Gould – who has coached across the Limestone Coast and Naracoorte – was excited for the program despite the challenges.

“There will be challenges with travel and overall there will be less athletes but it’s hard to know the full impact until it gets underway,” Gould said.

“On the positive side the level of coaching and guidance will be great. The athletes who make it are going to be in an amazing program.”

Great Southern vs Hills under-11s during the 2021 SA Country Championships. Gould said country associations will need to be proactive in getting their best young talent to the city for trials. Mile End Pictures/Russell Millard

Gould also added that country associations have met with Netball SA to work out some solutions to concerns.

“We’ve had a really good session with Netball SA. Obviously one of the biggest things for country associations is going to be how to encourage the kids to go to trials in Adelaide and make sure they attempt to get in,” she said.

“It becomes a half-a-week commitment as well as the costs and grants have been discussed as a possible solution.

“I think the country associations can get through it if we stay proactive and committed and then if it doesn’t work we need to ensure there’s another way for our kids to access these opportunities.”