The program creates a clear path for athletes in New South Wales from grass roots netball to the elite level.
The GIANTS Netball Academy will provide a holistic approach to preparing athletes for the elite level including skills sessions, strength and conditioning, mentoring, psychology and recovery.
GIANTS Netball Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald will oversee the program and says the launch of the Academy is a significant step forward for the club.
“This announcement is fantastic for our club and I’m proud to see GIANTS Netball continue to grow,” said Fitzgerald.
“With female athletes having more options than ever before, the establishment of this Academy demonstrates the faith and investment that GIANTS Netball and Netball NSW are making in local athletes from across the state.
“With 80% of our 2019 playing list homegrown New South Wales talent, our commitment to the region is clear for all to see.
“The structures we are putting in place will see the girls given every opportunity possible to reach their potential and there’s no doubt many of our current players wish they had access to such a program when they were coming through the ranks.
“As a club, we strive to be the best at everything we do, and the Academy is an important element of this as we aspire to be a leader both on and off the court in Netball in this country.”
The Academy will provide a pipeline of talent for the GIANTS Netball Suncorp Super Netball team with up to 20 athletes working to an individualised elite training program.
The competition avenue for GIANTS Netball Academy athletes will be through the NNSW Premier League competition and alongside the GIANTS Netball training partners, will be eligible for selection to represent the club in the Australian Netball League (ANL) for the first time.
The past three years GIANTS Netball have partnered with Netball ACT to participate in ANL as the Canberra GIANTS – proving to be a successful and fantastic partnership for both parties.
However, GIANTS Netball felt from a logistical, player recruitment and development perspective that it was now imperative that GIANTS Netball operates as a stand-alone ANL team as part of its new academy structure.
GIANTS Netball is pleased to see Netball ACT will participate as the Capital Spirit in the Netball NSW Premier League from 2020.
GIANTS Netball as a club have a strong track record for player development and elevation, with all four inaugural training partners having since becoming fully contracted players.
Athletes will be able to self-nominate for the Academy next week and trials will be held on September 26, with the program to commence in October.
GIANTS Netball Academy staff will be announced in due course.
