The Academy is a 10-month high performance training environment for ACT elite and pre-elite athletes who aspire to play in at Australian Netball Championships (ANC) level and beyond.

Athletes must currently reside in Canberra or surrounding areas or be planning to move to the region for genuine reasons such as work or study. A minimum age of 16 is required.

Nominations open for a 3-week period in October. There is no on-court trial process with selection based on a variety of criteria including current performance and future potential.

Nominations for the 2024 Capital Darters Academy will be opening soon so watch this space.

Up to 15 athletes can be selected. Should places remain unfilled after the October selection period, athletes may be invited to join the Academy at any stage throughout the program.

Athletes usually play in Division One of HCF State League or have previously played or currently play in the NNSW Premier League.

The program includes court training, strength and conditioning programming and individual service support e.g., sport psychology, nutrition, soft tissue therapy. Academy athletes train at the ACT Academy of Sport gym on the AIS Campus and at the Solar Hub Netball Centre in Lyneham.

Weekend Training Camps in Canberra and Sydney are also part of the program with opportunities to play against other ANC Squads including the QBE Swifts Academy and the GIANTS Academy.

Strength & Conditioning (S&C) begins in December with a structured home program provided to each athlete over the summer holiday period. At the end of January athletes return to directed S&C sessions and on-court training. Athlete load is individually managed to best support each athlete’s goals and commitments.

Not all Academy athletes are selected into the Capital Darters ANC Team of 12. Other athletes of standard, including ACT athletes who live in other States and Territories are also eligible for the Capital Darters ANC Team.

Please contact Kate Carpenter Netball ACT Head Coach kate.carpenter@netballact.com.au