East Essex Player Development Programme
Purpose of the programme: Learn, Love, Win
Learn the game:
We will help the athletes extend their knowledge of the game and develop strategies on how to effectively outwit opponents.
We will create an environment of uninhibited curiosity, one that encourages autonomous and independent thinkers who can lead themselves and champion the improvement of others.
Our coaching is focused on achieving Technical Excellence, Tactical Superiority, Psychological Edge and achieving our Physical Potential.
Love the journey:
We want all athletes to receive a positive experience of the game of netball no matter where they are on the pathway, fostering a life-long love of the game. The athletes should enjoy what they do, and feel encouraged, supported, and motivated.
We will prioritise the unique individuality of each athlete, embracing challenges and new experiences together as we help them develop a limitless belief in themselves.
We have a desire to go beyond what’s possible.
Win deep:
We plan, prepare, and play to win but it is not our only purpose. Winning deep is the sum of Learning the game and loving the journey.
There is a richness in Winning deep because of the challenge, chaos and commitment that play a part in it.
We have a deeper connection to winning and going beyond what’s possible because we are driven by our purpose to inspire our communities and the nation.
Outcome of the programme:
ALL player pathway programmes will provide appropriate on and off court support for all to achieve the development standards necessary for next stage of the player pathway, that is outlined in the Roses Development Framework on the England Netball website.
Under 13 -
This is the first entrance into the player pathway and the focus is on individual development. The emphasis is on athletes learning how to train with decision making being a pivotal element, alongside 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 -
The emphasis remains on understanding learning how to train and compete with competition being used to consolidate game understanding, refining skills, and see improvements in decision making.
Athletes in the PDPs will be working towards being selected to go forward into each stage of the PDPs from the U13 PDPs to the U15 PDP. This is part of the EN Accredited programme for England Netball.
The EN Accredited programme for England Netball linked to the Super League Franchises in our case London Mavericks includes:
- U21 PDP
- U19 PDP
- U17 PDP
- U15 PDP
- Player Development Programme U19
The London Mavericks Futures U18 and U15 and Mini Mavericks are not EN accredited and therefore the County U13 and U15 PDPs sessions should take precedence over these. This also includes any Pulse HUBS up to U15’s which are also not EN accredited.
We work closely with London Mavericks (which is our partner franchise) and which is the next step of the Player Development Programme towards playing for England. We realise there are other franchises that allow athletes to trial also, but we do work closely with London Mavericks, and will liaise closely with them regarding any potential issues between the County PDP’s and Mavericks that could affect the attendance of athlete taking part in any unaccredited programme.
East Essex County Player Development Programmes
The East Essex Player Pathway Programmes operates over 1 age groups in Under-13 serving athletes under 12 and 13 and Under-15 serving athletes under 14 and 15, although the age range is flexible to cater for individual needs and maturation.
An athlete may spend between 6 months to 2 years at either stage with the eligible age of athletes at Under-U13/15 is, as of 23:59 on 31st August 2025
East Essex is delivering one U15 and one U13 Player Development Programmes for 2025/26.
There will be a minimum of 20 athletes invited per PDP, and at the discretion of the selectors and coaches,more athletes may be invited after the trials or during the season. There may be a reserve list held and athletes on that list could be invited if any of the invited athletes no longer wish to attend, has a long-term injury or have been deselected.
Nomination Forms 2025
Club U15 PDP Coach Nominations 2025
Club Current Year 7 Coach Nominations 2025
Club Current Year 6 Coach Nominations 2025
Under-15 County Player Development Programme
- Venue: TBA (Possible Brentwood/ Billericay)
- Training Day: Thursday
- Time: 7pm to 9.30pm
Under-13 County Player Development Programme
- Venue: University of Essex Sports Centre, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex or The Corporal Budd Gymnasium, Berechurch Rd, Colchester
- Training Day: Sunday
- Time: 12 noon to 4pm
12 noon to 2pm – PDP 7 (Year 7’s)
2pm to 4pm – PDP 8 (Year 8’s)
Home Training (outside of County training sessions)
We will give advice and training to all the athletes on home training including:
- Activation exercises
- Ball and Wall exercises
- Landing Skills
- Sprint exercises
- Shooting exercises
- Strength and Conditioning programmes
- Completing training diaries and food diaries.
We expect all athletes to participate in home training as part of their overall training programme.
Competition
All athletes should be regularly taking part in relevant competition including club leagues within county, where possible U14/16 Regional Leagues, tournaments and inter-school competition.
For Under-15’s there is the opportunity to be part of the NSL Team’s Under-15 Academy 2026.
VNSL Teams are responsible for providing opportunities through Academies for the best Under 15 athletes and up, these athletes could be part of the NSL competition squad.
N.B: VNSL teams (our team is London Mavericks) will be undertaking an additional selection process for 2026 in January and June for the competition in August 2026, but these athletes will already be in a County PDP or currently be part of the NSL academy already.
Athlete Progression
For Under-13’s is the County Under-15 Player Development Programme
There is no automatic entry to the next stage of the player pathway. Athletes must be nominated by the County Under-13 Player Development Programme Head Coach to trial along with others nominated by clubs. This applies even if an athlete has already had a year in the Player Development programme.
If the athlete has reached their potential in a County Under-13 Player Development programme it is recommended that they continue their training at club level.
For Under-15’s is the VNSL Team’s Under-15 Academy and VNSL Team’s Under-17 Academy
There is no automatic entry to the next stage of the player pathway. Players must be nominated by the County U15 Player Development Programme Coach or by the County Player Development Lead to trial along with others nominated by clubs and schools.
If the athlete has reached their potential at County Under-15 Player Development programme it is recommended that they continue their training at club level. PDP coaches will advise athletes for the 25/26 process.