This page provides information on the Cambridgeshire Player Development Programmes (PDP). Providing talented young athletes, living within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area, an introduction at grass roots level to the England Netball’s Player Development Pathway.
If you have any questions or require information not found, please email our Cambridgeshire Player Development Lead, Shelly Ritchie at cambsnetballacademy@outlook.com
What are England Netball Player Development Pathway Programmes?
England Netball Player Development Pathway Programmes focus on individual athlete development rather than establishing squads or teams for competition. County Netball Associations deliver them.
What are the aims of the programme?
The aim of the player pathway programme is to support the development of athletes. Working on all parts of the game; technical, tactical, physical, and psychological skills to help athletes prepare for the playing level above, with the end goal of representing England. The player development journey is an evolutionary process. It is specific to each athlete, shaped by experiences and has different entry points at all age groups.
Our county team works with England Netball, our pathway club London Mavericks, and other PDPs across the East region. Supported by outstanding coaching teams, we achieve continuous improvement and success aligned to the Roses Development Framework.
Under 13 outcomes
This is the first entrance into the player pathway and the focus is on individual development. Emphasis on learning how to train with decision making being a key element. Athletes work on developing resilience and skills required to play netball. Learning the game as well as loving the game with a sense of working together is essential to enhance their experiences at this early stage.
Under 15 outcomes
The emphasis remains on understanding learning how to train and compete. Competitive play brings together game understanding, skill refinement, and continued decision making improvements.
What programmes will Cambridgeshire run?
Cambridgeshire County Netball Association (CCNA) in 2024/25, will deliver 1 x U15 and 2 x U13 Player Development Programmes (PDP), with 20 athletes per programme.
CCNA will also be delivering 2 x U11 (school year 6) and 1 x U12 (school year 7) Development Squads, with up to 25 per squad, which run alongside the PDP England Netball Pathway. The purpose of these development squads is to provide performance level coaching to these younger athletes and prepare them for the U13 PDP trials.
How do the U13 and U15 player development programme trials work?
Junior netball clubs and schools across the county will be asked to send athlete nominations for trials. The trials take place in early July.
Successful athletes from the trials are invited to attend squad training sessions over the summer. Final PDP will be announced in September.
Athletes must be an active member of a netball club and affiliated to England Netball to be eligible to accept a place in any PDP squad.
Selectors must have attended the England Netball Athlete Identifier Workshop to be able to select at any PDP trials. This ensures England Netball standards are used both in the way the trials are run and managed, and that the athletes are assessed against the same criteria being used across the country.
Development squads for U11 and U12
CCNA run Year 5 and 6 development training programmes for 4 weeks in May/June.
The aim of these coaching sessions is to develop individual skills and prepare players for the 7 aside game played in Year 7. They are organised in line with all guidance for a safe and fun environment.
Coaches are looking for players who respond well to coaching, improve their skills and game performance, and are at a suitable level to attend the next stage of the Cambridgeshire Player Pathway.
Year 6 players will be invited to the U13 PDP trials In July.
Year 5 players will be invited to join our U11 development squads.
What can an athlete do outside of the programme?
Athletes also need appropriate competition outside of the pathway, such as local leagues, regional leagues or development matches. This exposure helps them gain experience and test their skills in different contexts. Holistic development requires a combination of opportunities, including school, club, and player pathway involvement.
Training Schedule
U15: Wednesday at Stephen Perse Foundation, Cambridge
U13 South: Monday at Comberton Village College, Cambridge
U13 North: Thursday at Stanground Sports Centre, Peterborough
U12: Northstowe Secondary College
U11 South: Tuesday at Comberton Village College, Cambridge
U11 North: Thursday at Stanground Sports Centre, Peterborough
Training sessions are in indoors. They combine technical training, strength, conditioning, and match play between September and April.
We partner with an external strength and conditioning provider, Ultimate Sports Therapy. U13/U15 PDP athletes have access to a personalised programme to complete at home, plus face to face strength and conditioning within the weekly training sessions.
We run sports psychology sessions and nutrition education programmes throughout the season.
Coaches and support staff
Each squad has a head coach and assistant coach managing the training sessions. All our coaches are Level 2 qualified as a minimum.
Level 2 coaches have up to date DBS checks, safeguarding and first aid qualifications.
We also have a number of volunteer coaches across all squads, who are mentored by the head coaches.
Fees and costs
The fees are set at a level that covers the cost of running the programme and are non-profit making. They are reviewed every year. We have a support fund available to ensure that affordability is not a factor that impacts on an athlete’s opportunity to join the programme.
CCNA Contact
If you have any questions or require information not found, please email our Cambridgeshire Player Development Lead, Shelly Ritchie at cambsnetballacademy@outlook.com
The Roses Development Framework
Please follow this link to find out much more about the Roses Development Framework (RDF).
– About the RDF
– Pillars of development
– Learn, Love, Win
– England player pathway
– Female adolescent development
– Coaching philosophy
