SEVERN Stars have announced they will be launching five netball academies this September in a bid to recruit the very best local talent.
The University of Worcester Arena franchise will set-up five under-17 ‘Nova’ academies in collaboration with King’s School Worcester, Hartpury College, Millfield School, Headington School Oxford and Birmingham Metropolitan College.
The academies aim to extend the provision of regular, high-level performance training to the next generation of potential netball stars.
They will also be the next step for players as part of the England Netball Performance Pathway, as they move on from county academies.
In each Nova academy, under-17 players will take part in weekly training sessions, with strength and conditioning programmes and provision, high level technical training, plus sports therapy and off-court support.
The five academies will also have the opportunity to play each other with monthly match sessions.
Players will be working towards competing in the ‘Under-17 National Performance League’ Severn Stars team, before progressing through the club’s under-19, under-21 and senior Severn Stars squads.
Director of netball Pamela Cookey said: “I’m pleased to be able to establish these Nova academies as we look to develop our pool of players.
“By working with educational centres, with established sporting backgrounds, the academies will give players the tools to compete at the next level, whilst in a nurturing environment.”