Junior Netball Academy
The Victoria University Junior Netball Academy is a sport development program for junior netballers to train at an elite level.
The Academy was established in 2010 to increase sport development and competition opportunities for young athletes.
Participants gain access to state-of-the art sport facilities, extensive netball sporting networks and coaching experience.
The academy is not currently taking applications.
Benefits of participating
The Netball Academy is an important pathway for many athletes as they work towards selection in a Victorian Netball League (VNL) team and other elite pathway programs.
The Academy targets athletes in the 13, 15, 17 (and under) age brackets.
Participants benefit from:
- specialist monthly coaching sessions
- strength and conditioning sessions
- access to Victoria University Aquatic and Fitness Centres
- allied health services and education in osteopathy, sport psychology, nutritional therapy and massage
- Victoria University course information and pathways.
The academy has produced a number of athletes that have been selected for State and Australian representation in netball. Many participants have moved through the program into study at VU and then gain the experience of representing the University at inter-university competitions.
VU Netball Academy staff and coaches encourage athletes to play for their club or association team while also participating in VU Netball Academy on-court sessions.
Head coach
Head coach, Bianca Chatfield, is a well-known netballer with a distinguished 13-year international career.
Bianca was selected to the Australian netball team in 2001 as an 18-year-old (one of the youngest players to represent her country). She has played on the Australian Diamonds team for Commonwealth Games silver in 2006 and gold in 2014.
She’s also played in more than 240 games for Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Vixens, captaining the Vixens club for several years.
