Banbridge Academy Netball Blog

It was a very busy day on Sunday with over 160 netballers being assessed in drills and match play over the course of the day. Netballers MUST confirm their attendance at the next session by 8th May.

Please note : 1. Anyone who didn’t trial at the first session because of an injury must bring a letter from their physio or doctor to say they are cleared to participate in full activity again

2. Anyone who did not show up for trials without giving prior reason has not been invited to a second trial

This information is also available to view on the Netball NI website in the Performance section.

All netballers (or their parents) are asked to confirm their attendance by email to performancepathway@netballni.org by Wednesday 8 May After this session netballers will be given one of 3 outcomes : 1 Invited to attend U17 National Squad training 2 Invited to attend U17 or U19 Development Squad training 3 Advised that they have been unsuccessful on this occasion TO BE SEEN Aoife McNally, Annabelle Kelly, Katie Baxter, Nadia Radcliffe

U21 Development and U19 Development Squads The following netballers are invited to attend second trial for U19 and U21 Development Squads on Saturday 11 May from 10-1pm in BRA Netballers should confirm their attendance by emailing performancepathway@netballni.org by Wednesday 8 May, and should arrive to register in BRA at 9.30am :Katie Cartmill & Lynsey Orr. There will also be a cut at this 2nd trial

For those who have been unsuccessful at this stage, thank you for trialling. I would encourage you to join a netball club if you haven’t already joined one, and to continue to work on your skills, speed and strength and hopefully we will see you back at trials in the future.

What happens at trials?

You will be assessed in both drills and match play to give the selectors the best opportunity to see you play. In the drills you will be working with netballers in a similar playing position to you In the matches you will be assessed once in your playing position (some netballers may play more than once if there are more triallists in one position than another)

How are netballers assessed or selected onto a squad?

The selectors are looking for a number of things, including: Ball handling Technique/ catching/ ball placement – consistency Footwork Change of direction/ change of speed Balance/Control With(out) the ball/ landing Communication With team mates, coaches, on court/off court Spatial Awareness Working together; creating space; seeing options Defending play One on one; whole team defence; hunting interceptions; creating turnovers Attacking play Work rate to get free; decision making under pressure; taking the right option Positional Specific skills Circle defence Forcing turnovers; pressure on shot; dictating shooters; working together to create errors Mid court Linking play; consistency of feed to circle; vision and awareness; positive movements Shooters Technique/accuracy; workrate in the circle; linking play; taking the right option – shoot/pass Other Overall fitness; communication; commitment; decision making under pressure; attitude What time should I arrive? You should arrive at Lisburn Racquets Club between 20-40 minutes before the start of trials in order to register and prepare (nails short, hair tied back, any strapping/support in place, ready to play).

If you are trialling for an U17 squad arrive between 9.15-9.40am on Sunday 14 April If you are trialling for an U21 squad, arrive at 1.30pm on Sunday 14 April

How will I know when I am on, and how many matches I get to play? In the morning session there will be two courts and you will be told which court you are on. Depending on the number of applicants and time, you will play enough matches so that 3 selectors can assess you. 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.

When will I find out? The results of trials will be emailed to your school or club by Friday 19 April and squad lists will also be posted on the Netball NI website. All successful netballers will be invited to attend 3 fitness sessions over the summer. There will be a cost of £20 to attend these sessions – this cost will be taken off the squad contribution in September.

What happens after trials? The selectors will be observing all triallists and will allocate you to one of 4 groups at the end of the trial : Morning Session (U17 Trials) Successful : Selected onto the U17 Long Squad Not ready but has potential (2004 birthday) : Selected onto U17 Dev Not ready but has potential (2003 birthday) : Selected onto U19 Dev Unsuccessful : Not of the required standard Afternoon Session (U21 Trials) Successful : Selected onto the U21 Long Squad Not ready but has potential (2002/03 birthday) : Selected onto U19 Dev Not ready but has potential (2000/01 birthday) : Selected onto U21 Dev Unsuccessful : Not of the required standard What are the Development Squads for? We had 90 girls trialling for the U17 Trials last year, and only the best 24 will make the U17 Long Squad. We recognise that there are other netballers who aren’t ready yet but with some additional coaching they have potential to be an international netballer in future years. The Development Squads are an opportunity for these netballers to hone their skills, work with their peers and continue to develop to be stronger athletes when they trial for the squad the next year. What are the summer conditioning sessions? At underage level NI netballers are as skilful as any of their European equivalents however there is a gap in our netball specific fitness compared to our counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales. These sessions are to introduce girls into basic strength and conditioning work that they can do in their own time that will improve their fitness, ability to perform on court and reduce the likelihood of injury. There is an expectation that all girls selected onto a squad will follow their fitness programme over the summer and they will be fitness tested in September. Netball NI will also provide information to successful netballers on how they can apply for gym membership at their local council facility to assist with their training.

Will I always play my 1st position? Yes, you may be asked to fill in another position occasionally if needed. Selectors will know if it is your 1st choice position, or if you are filling into a position.

Do I need to apply if I am injured? Yes you need to put a trial form in, so you can be considered for the pathway when you have completed your return to play. Please note this on your nomination form.

Do I get feedback? We will give generic feedback only at this open trial stage.

Are there any changing or shower facilities at Lisburn Racquets Club? There are changing facilities. We advise not to bring valuables with you as there are no lockers. Netball NI and Lisburn Racquets Club are not responsible for any belongings you may have.

There are also limited food facilities at the venue so please bring plenty of water and suitable snacks.

Morning Session (U17 Trials) (2003-2004 birthdays) Afternoon Session (U21 Trials) (1999 – 2002 birthdays) Potential outcomes Potential outcomes Squad U17 Dev U17 U19 U21 Dev U21 Age 2004 birthday 2003/2004 birthday 2002/2003 birthday 2000/2001 birthday 1999-2002 birthday

Purpose Team and individual development for netballers with potential who are still eligible for U17 National squad next year Train and prepare for the U17 European Championships in March 2020, and other competitive opportunities Team and individual development for netballers who are just too old for U17 National Squad but not ready for the jump to U21 level Team and individual development for netballers who have potential but just not ready for U21 standard now but would be eligible for World Youth Cup squad Train and prepare for the U21 European Championships in October 2019 and World Youth Cup in 2021 Squad Size 20 (a larger group may be selected in April with a second trial taking place in Sept to select the long squad of 20) 24 (a larger group may be selected in April with a second trial taking place in Sept to select the long squad of 24) 24 (a larger group may be selected in April with a second trial taking place in Sept to select the long squad of 24) 20 (a larger group may be selected in April with a second trial taking place in Sept to select the long squad of 20) 20 (a larger group may be selected in April with a second trial taking place in Sept to select the long squad of 20) Commitment involved Summer conditioning work 30 hours on court training from Sept – Apr Individual fitness training (2 hours per week) Summer conditioning work 40 hours on court training from Sept – Mar Individual fitness training (3 hours per week) Summer conditioning work 30 hours on court training from Sept – Apr Individual fitness training (3 hours per week) Summer conditioning work 30 hours on court training from Sept – Apr Individual fitness training (3 hours per week) Summer conditioning work and 30 hours on court training from May – Oct Individual fitness training (3 hours per week) Cost £150 (+ kit and commitment to fundraising) £180 (+ kit and commitment to fundraising) £150 (+ kit and commitment to fundraising) £150 (+ kit and commitment to fundraising) £180 (+ kit and commitment to fundraising)