Netball Mainland Pathways
We have three distinct Pathway age categories:
- Year 11 & 12
- Year 13
- Open Age
Each pathway offers a unique route, but all share the same ultimate goal: to help players progress through the New Zealand Pathway and work towards the Silver Ferns. We begin the pathway at Year 11, as this is the earliest age at which players can start on the Netball NZ Pathway. Take a look at the different age categories below for more details on each pathway's plan.
Y11 & Y12
In late September, we host the Netball Mainland (NM) Advanced Camp, providing 30-50 of the Mainland region's top players the chance to develop their skills and compete for 15 spots in the National Development Camp (NDC).
Throughout the regular netball season, our 20 Centre Talent Spotters actively monitor games, identifying and evaluating standout players. In addition to them, we have a specialized Talent Spotting Panel, made up of three key talent spotters. Their role involves observing nominated players from the Centre spotters, as well as tracking all players in top teams. They attend representative tournaments, SISS, and NZSS to assess player performance.
The Advanced Camp runs in September, in between the SISS and NZSS tournaments. The camp includes fitness testing, educational workshops, gameplay, and feature guest appearances from Netball Smart and a speaker from Trident Homes Tactix. The focus for the camp is around education and upskilling for the athletes.
From this camp, our talent spotters panel will select 15 players to attend the NDC, organized by Netball New Zealand. These selected athletes will then continue their journey on the Netball NZ pathway. Players invited to the Advanced Camp will be notified via email after the SISS tournament and must confirm participation within a week.
NDC selections will be announced by Netball New Zealand in early November.
Y11 and Y12 players are also eligible to make the NZ Secondary School (NZSS) team. The NZ talent spotting panel watches them throughout the season.
Mainland PATHWAY = School/ Club games – SISS/ NZSS – U16/ U18 reps – NM Advanced Camp
Netball NZ PATHWAY = NDC – NZSS team – NZ U21’s team – NZ Silver Ferns
Y13
Our Year 13 players will finish their final school games this year, followed by the chance for selection to the New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) team, managed by Netball New Zealand (NNZ). Later in the year, typically in late November or early December, we hold our NNL trials, where Year 13 players are invited to participate.
For those not selected for the NNL team or as NNL training partners, there’s still an opportunity to join the Emerging Talent Squad. This squad is designed for players in their first or second year out of school, offering them a pathway into the Pre High-Performance space and continuing their development.
Mainland PATHWAY = School/ Club games – SISS/ NZSS – U18 reps – NNL Trials – Emerging Talent Squad
Netball NZ PATHWAY = NZSS team – NZ U21’s team – NZ Development/ A’s - NZ Silver Ferns
Open Age
In late November or early December, we conduct trials for our NNL team for the upcoming season. Following this, a holiday training program is provided, after which a smaller group is selected to attend a second trial at the end of January. From these trials, we finalize a squad of 10-12 players, along with 4-6 Training Partners.
Both the NNL team and Training Partners are supported by a Strength and Conditioning coach who oversees their fitness during the pre-season and throughout the season. They also take part in workshops focused on mental skills and nutrition, with their overall well-being managed by the Players Association.
Mainland PATHWAY = Club games – NNL Training Partners – NNL Team – Trident Homes Tactix
NNZ PATHWAY = NZ U21’s team – NZ Development Squad – NZ A’s - NZ Silver Ferns