Netball Victoria is pleased to announce a partnership with the Victorian Regional Academy of Sport (VRAS) that will see five regions throughout the state take part in a program that will provide development for potential Zone Academy athletes transitioning into the 15/U age group.
The aim of this agreement is to both assist Netball Victoria to reach and service regional areas and to support aspiring Netball athletes in the regional centres of Victoria.
The program links Netball Victoria’s High Performance Pathway Programs, in particular, the Zone Academy Program with the Regional Academies of sport on a larger scale.
Barwon Sports Academy (Geelong), West Vic Academy of Sport (Ballarat), Gippsland Sports Academy (Newborough), Bendigo Academy of Sport (Bendigo) and the South West Academy of Sport (Warrnambool) will be the five regional academies that will participate in the new program.
Currently, there are no formal Development programs within Netball Victoria’s High Performance framework for 12 to 15-year-olds.
This program provides that, strengthening the depth of talent identification within the regions and increasing the development level and awareness of athletes who may potentially follow on the high performance pathway into the Zone Academy Program.
Barwon Sports Academy CEO Cameron Loftus is ‘thrilled’ to be involved in the new program.
“The Victorian regional academies are thrilled to be supporting the developing netballers in our areas so that they can be best prepared to show their potential once at the Zone academy trial stages,” Loftus said.
“Working with Netball Victoria to provide strength and conditioning, a holistic education program and medical support to our local talented netballers will enhance the chance of athletes reaching their full potential.”
“The commitment to a three-year agreement with Victoria’s regional academies highlights Netball Victoria’s commitment to supporting the regional areas that have been so fruitful in the unearthing of great netball talent in the past.”
Netball Victoria High Performance Manager, Rebekah Webster said, “Netball Victoria is excited to partner with the VRAS group to provide development opportunities for athletes who have been deemed as potential future talent for Netball Victoria’s Zone Academy program.”
“Netball Victoria sees this program as a vital step in our talented athlete pathway and a way that we can better service regional areas and provide support to aspiring netball athletes within regional areas”.
Program Delivery
The program would delivery components from the two Netball Australia Dare to Develop a Diamond Programs:
1. Dare to Develop a Diamond 11-13yr olds
2. Dare to Develop Diamond Academy Program
The Date to Develop a Diamond program is designed specifically to develop netball athletes and concentrates on fundamental sports skills and physical preparation training and is integrated into the Netball Australia LTAD Plan.
To find out more please contact Netball Victoria High Performance Coordinator Chelsey Cameron at Chelsey.Cameron@netballvic.com.au.
