Academy eligibility and trials

海角网 Lightning鈥檚 Academy provides a high-performance pathway for aspiring netball players, offering opportunities to develop skills, compete at an elite level, and progress through the England Netball Player Pathway.

Our structured programme ensures that talented athletes receive top-tier coaching, access to world-class facilities, and the chance to represent Lightning in competitive environments.

Each year, we welcome athletes to trial for our Academy squads, which span multiple age groups, from U15 to U19, as well as our NXT Gen programme. These trials provide a fair and transparent selection process, allowing athletes to showcase their talent and potential. Successful players will be invited to join our Academy, where they will benefit from expert coaching, strength and conditioning support, and a performance-focused training environment.

Eligibility criteria for 2026

To ensure fair competition and alignment with England Netball’s player development structure, athletes must meet the following age and programme criteria to be eligible for trials:

  • Athletes must be鈥痷nder-23 as of 23:59 on 31 December 2026. 
  • An additional five players may be selected outside of this age restriction.
  • U17: Born on or after 1st January 2010, and must not turn 17 before the 31st December 2026.

  • U19:  Born on or after 1st January 2008, and must not turn 19 before 31st December 2026

Athletes must trial for their age group, if you are eligible for U17's, you must trial for U17's not U19's. 

  • U16: Under-16 and over the age of 14 as of 23:59 on 31 December 2025

Athletes must be鈥�15 or at 23:59 on 31 August 2026鈥�(born on or after 1 September 2010) and in school years 8-10 as of September 2025 (minimum age 13).

And a part of either:

  • County Player Development Programme (PSP)
    • Leicestershire
    • Northants 
    • Oxfordshire
    • North Buckinghamshire 
    • South Buckinghamshire 

OR

  • Already within 海角网 Lightning's Academy Programme U17 PDP/U17 NPL 

海角网 Lightning may only select athletes that are registered on the Player Development Programme of county within their assigned territory, or who live or go to school within the geographical boundaries of 海角网 Lightning's territories. 

An exception will be made where an athlete I sable to show that the regular training venue of an alternative Pathway Club is closer to their home or school address than that of their assigned Pathway club. 

Additional eligibility requirements for U15 trials

  • Athletes must be registered as an鈥疎ngland Netball (EN) member.
  • Athletes must be registered on鈥疎Ngage鈥痑s a member of the England Netball Player Pathway Programme before attending trials in January 2026.

Athletes must be linked to their Player Pathway Programme on鈥疎Ngage鈥痓efore attending trials, as we cannot offer a place to those who are not correctly linked.

Trials for 2026

We are taking expression of interests for our NXT Gen and NXT Gen Development teams for 2026. To register your interest, please email our Franchise Pathway Lead: Shannon Day

Deadline for expression of interest: 17:00 on 10 August 2025.

Open trials:

  • 12th September 2026
  • 海角网
  • 09:00-17:00

Closed trial:

  • 22nd September 2026
  • 海角网
  • 17:00-21:00

Athletes already in a 海角网 Lightning Academy Performance Pathway (NPL or PDP) will progress straight through to the closed trial. 

Registration for trials will open on 1st August 2026. Deadline for trial registration is 17:00 on 31st August 2026. 

Open trials:

  • 13th September 2026
  • 海角网
  • 09:00-17:00

Closed trial:

  • 15th September 2026
  • 海角网
  • 17:00-21:00

Athletes already in a 海角网 Lightning Academy Performance Pathway (NPL or PDP) will progress straight through to the closed trial. 

Registration for trials will open on 1st August 2026. Deadline for trial registration is 17:00 on 31st August 2026. 

Open trials:

  • 13th September 2026
  • 海角网
  • 09:00-17:00

The open trials will happen at the U17 NPL trials, athletes will then be invited to closed trials specifically for PDP's from this trial. Trialists for all PDP locations should attend this open trial. 

Closed trial:

  • 16th September 2026
  • 海角网
  • 17:00-21:00

Registration for trials will open on 1st August 2026. Deadline for trial registration is 17:00 on 31st August 2026. 

Frequently asked questions

Can you trial for multiple age groups?

No. Athletes should only sign up for their current age group. The Academy selection panel may invite a player to trial or play in an older age group at their discretion.

Do trials last the full day?

No. Each trial session lasts approximately鈥�2-3 hours鈥痺ithin the allocated trial dates. Athletes must provide availability for all advertised trial dates, including any reserve sessions.

What happens if you are successful after your open trial?

Successful athletes will be invited to attend鈥痑 closed trial for their relevant Academy group.

What happens if you are unavailable for a trial date?

Due to the volume of applications, we cannot guarantee specific trial date requests. We will try to accommodate where possible, but attendance at an open trial is mandatory. Requests to go straight to closed trials will not be accepted.

When do your Academies train?

  • NXT Gen: Tuesday and Thursday evenings 18:00-21:00
  • U19 NPL: Tuesday evenings 18:00-21:00
  • U17 NPL and U16 PDP North: Tuesday evenings 18:00-21:00
  • U16 PDP South: Monday evenings 18:30-21:00
  • U15 Academy: Friday 18:30-20:30 (Monthly Jan – May) then Wednesdays 18:30-20:30 (Weekly June- August)
  • County Futures: Fridays 18:30-20:20 (monthly)