Talent Identification and Selection

To ensure the steady and continuous development of potential performance athletes it is essential there is a robust system for talent identification and selection at all levels of the Excel pathway. The England Netball Talent Identification and Selection Process is a 'double entry fluid system':

Double Entry means that players can be identified either through nomination and/or scouting. This system is reliant upon accredited scouts, coaches and teachers.

Fluid means that players can be added or removed from a group at any time. This ensures that athletes recognise the need to make progress to maintain position in the group and so encourages a competitive training environment.

County and Regional Excel Pathway

It is important that the netball community can put forward athletes through the nomination system and also that athletes can be identified by accredited scouts and brought in to be evaluated.

This is more crucial with young athletes as a season is a long time and athletes may significantly improve and emerge. This flexibility is also useful in case of injury or self deselection.

   

Who Can Select?

Scouting - only England Netball accredited scouts are eligible to scout in the County and Regional Excel Pathway. The criteria for becoming an accredited scout is as follows:

• Attended the England Netball Excel Scouting workshop.

• Met any additional criteria stipulated in their regional selection policy procedures.  For further information on regional variances contact the Regional Excel Coach and/or the Regional Talent Technical Support Group

Nomination - coaches and teachers are only eligible to nominate players if they have:

• Attended the Talent Identification and Selection Workshop. By September 2010, only those who have attended a Talent Identification workshop are eligible to nominate to screening.

• Met any additional criteria stipulated in their regional selection policy procedures. For further information on regional variances contact the Regional Excel Coach and/or the Regional Talent Technical Support Group.

National Excel Pathway

The movement of athletes between the groups/squads and their existence in multiple groups/squads is important during the international calendar. This allows athletes to gain the necessary experience for them to develop. They also need to maintain and develop the ability to perform with a variety of athletes against different opposition.

 

Who Can Select?

Scouting and selection - selection into the National Excel pathway is determined by a team of National Selectors and National Coaches. As stated in the England Netball National Selection Policy, the Chair of Selectors or designated deputy, the U21 Coach (dependent on time of calendar cycle), the National Excel Head Coach and the National Excel Programme Coaches will identify the National Excel Group at national screening. This Selection Panel will make further selections across the Easter and Summer Camp and at the November/December Excel weekend when additional Talented athletes nominated by the Regional Excel Coaches and Regional Head Scouts may be invited to attend.

This group of National Selectors will also select the Open, U19 and U17 squads for the European Championships and, along with the U21 coach, will determine any movement of players to the U21s.

Nomination - Regional Excel Coaches and Regional Head Scouts to nominate players from Regional Academy, NTL, NSL, Premier and Regional Clubs.