Netball West Midlands

The Netball Excel Pathway is the England Netball process for developing athletes with the attributes to attain excellence. The programmes within the pathway are focused on developing athletes to reach their potential and form the foundations to enable England Netball to be World Number One by 2015. The National Excel Pathway consists of the National Talent programme (Talent 1 and 2) which progresses into Excel Plus - the U21 and National Squad programmes.

Congratulations go to Lauren Massey, Kaya Wilson & Beth Cobden who have been successful in gaining a place in the National Excel Academy for the 2010/11 season. They will continue to attend monthly weekend training camps leading to final selections for FENA in December

Regional Excel Pathway

Netball West Midlands run a Regional Academy to support talented athletes in the Region with the aim of helping players reach their potential, hopefully progressing into the Netball Talent League (Junior equivalent to Superleague) and the England National Excel squads.

Screening for the Regional Academy takes place in June and October, with a Regional Excel Camp taking place during the October half term to make final selections.

This year the region has introduced two further Regional Development Centres, which will allow 40 athletes to partake in the Regional Development programme. The North Development Centre will take place at Ellowes Hall in Dudley, with the South Development Centre taking place at the University of Worcester. Athletes from these Development Centres will be selected to attend training at the Regional Excel Academy, at Walsall Campus Sports Centre.

The Regional Excel Academy and Development Centres take place once a month between October and March. Talented players from across the Region are brought together to complete intensive training to further develop their skills and game play, as well as prepare for National Screening.

We are pleased to announce those athletes who have been selected as part of the Development Centres and Regional Academy:

• Regional Excel Academy - Lauren Moore, Chloe Reynolds, Rachel Murley, Rachael Smith, Madeleine Turner, Ella Louise Blizard, Charlotte Collins, Ellie Louise Moore, Amy Harrison, Tyler Haynes, Elizabeth Williams, Maisie Blakemore, Philippa Brock, Lois Brown, Madison Grant, Caitlin Horsley, Hayley Mitchell, Emily Robbins, Ellie Smith, Ellie Stevenson and Philippa Yarranton, Carly Nutt and Catherine Jones.
• Regional Development Centre at Ellowes Hall - Adina Bailey, Bethany Brown, Laura Vann, Laura Tildesley, Rebecca Tildesley, Tanesha Campbell, Emily Coleman, Katy Bastock, Frances Taylor, Jessica Barnes, Lauren Moore, Chloe Reynolds, Rachel Murley, Rachael Smith, Madeleine Turner, Ella Louise Blizard, Charlotte Collins, Ellie Louise Moore, Amy Harrison, Tyler Haynes and Lucy Mumford.
• Regional Development Centre at Unievrsity of Worcester - Olivia Ambris, Grace Bradley, Mia Broomhall, Olivia Dale, Katrina Davey, Cathy Eagle, Ella Harrison, Rachel Lickorish, Philomena Smith, Olivia Stevenson, Maurica Thompson, Maisie Blakemore, Philippa Brock, Lois Brown, Madison Grant, Caitlin Horsley, Hayley Mitchell, Emily Robbins, Ellie Smith and Ellie Stevenson.

Screening Dates for 2012:

• Regional Pre-screening: TBC
• NTL Trials: TBC
• Regional Screening: TBC

Download the Regional Selection Policy

Excel Coaches are head coaches at the Regional Academy and deliver training along with giving athletes an online athlete management programme. The online programme helps players with their responsibilities outside of the Netball training sessions, such as their fitness training and nutrition.

The Regional Talent Development Programme (RTDP) also serves as an avenue for coach development. Regional Excel Pathway coaches are invited to attend RTDP sessions in order observe and deliver sections of the programme under the guidance of the Regional Excel Coach and the Regional Lead Coach and Mentor.

Any Coaches wishing to observe the Excel coaching and training are very welcome, please contact lesley.blair@englandnetball.co.uk to obtain dates and times.