Birmingham Panthers Announce Upcoming Trials for Aspiring Netball Stars
The Birmingham Panthers are excited to announce their upcoming trials for the new season, offering opportunities for young athletes to join their elite squads. Trials will be held at two prestigious venues: the University of Warwick and the University of Wolverhampton Walsall Campus.
Trial Dates and Venues:
- Monday, 2nd September: U19 – Stage 1 (Open trials for non-NPL athletes) at the University of Warwick from 6-9 pm.
- Tuesday, 3rd September: U17 – Stage 1 (Open trials for non-NPL athletes) at the University of Warwick from 6-9 pm.
- Wednesday, 4th September: U23 & U21 – Stage 1 (open trials) at the University of Wolverhampton Walsall Campus from 6-10 pm.
- Thursday, 5th September: U23 & U21 – Stage 2 (Invites from Stage 1 & Over 23 Expression of Interest) at the University of Wolverhampton Walsall Campus from 6-10 pm.
- Monday, 9th September: U19 – Stage 2 (Previous NPL athletes & Stage 1 invitees) at the University of Warwick from 6-9 pm.
- Tuesday, 10th September: U17 – Stage 2 (Previous NPL athletes & Stage 1 invitees) at the University of Warwick from 6-9 pm.
Eligibility Criteria:
- U23/NSL Feeder Squad – Under-23 as of 23:59 on 31st December 2024 *additional 4 players are not restricted by the eligibility criteria
- U21 PDP – Under-21 and over the age of 18 as of 23:59 on 31st December 2024
- U19 NPL & PDP – Under-19 and over the age of 16 as of 23:59 on 31st December 2024
- U17 NPL & PDP – Under-17 and over the age of 13 as of 23:59 on 31st December 2024
- U15 Academy Eligibility Criteria – Under-15 at 23:59 on 31st August 2025 – born on 1st September 2009 or after.
(U14 Academy trials take place in January)
*Please note, we do not accept any triallists who are U13 i.e. Year 8 (01/09/11 – 31/08/12)
- U15 Academy: Under-15 as of 31st August 2025 and currently part of any England Netball Player Pathway Programme. For example:
- County Player Development Programme (PDP)
- Franchise Academy (Under 19 or Under 17)
- Franchise Player Development Programme (PDP)
Additionally, athletes need to fulfil the following criteria prior to signing up to trial (trials to be held in January 2025):
- Athlete is an EN member
- Athlete are registered on ENgage as a member of the England Netball Player Pathway Programme (under a county/franchise academy/PDP) by the time they attend the trials in January 2025.
- All athletes attending trials MUST be linked to their Player Pathway Programme on Engage.
To register for the trials, please CLICK HERE.
FAQs
Q: Who should sign up for Stage 1 trials?
A: All athletes, except those who were part of an NPL or NSL squad in the 2023/24 season, should sign up for Stage 1 trials.
Q: What happens if my child is successful in Stage 1 trials?
A: Successful athletes from Stage 1 will be invited to Stage 2 trials or offered a place in the Player Development Programme (PDP).
Q: When will we receive trial information?
A: Trial information will be sent out within a week after the trial registration deadline.
Q: Are there any specific age restrictions for each trial category?
A: Yes, please refer to the eligibility criteria for specific age requirements for U23, U21, U19, U17, and U15 categories.
Q: What is the National Performance League (NPL)?
A: The NPL is an elite competition for U17 and U19 squads, providing a high-performance environment for the best youth players.
Q: What is the Player Development Programme (PDP)?
A: The PDP focuses on training and competition to enhance game understanding, refine skills, and improve decision-making.
Q: What if my child is under 13 years old?
A: Unfortunately, athletes under 13 are not eligible for these trials. The U15 Academy trials will be held in January 2025.
Q: Do the Emerging Talent Programmes form part of the official England Netball Pathway?
A: No, the Emerging Talent Programmes are designed to enhance fundamental skills and provide additional training and match play opportunities.
To register for the trials, please CLICK HERE.
