Academy targets new talent

At 7.50am last Wednesday, four golfers emerged through the dawn break to be the first group of players to tee off at Kingsdown Golf Club following the lifting of lockdown. Such was the clamour for the opportunity to play again, the club managed to accommodate over 200 players on the first day post-lockdown. Quotes from players included ‘just fantastic to be out there’ and ‘never thought I’d miss golf so much’.

Kingsdown manager David Nelson said: “Interestingly we have had a large number of enquiries from golfers wishing to join our Winter Membership scheme. This gives you unlimited golf through from December to 31st March for just £300.”

For those interested, contact the club on 01225 743472 or visit kingsdowngolfclub.co.uk.

Nearly 150 of the most talented young netballers in the South West of England will benefit from additional toplevel coaching this season after being selected for Team Bath Netball’s Academy Development Centre (ADC) programme.

The players, all aged between 15-18, will have access to coaching and lifestyle support from the Blue & Gold within their home region at ADCS located in seven host venues across the South West – Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucester, Somerset and Wiltshire.

More than 450 aspiring netballers applied to join the talent-development programme, supported by Team Bath’s Principal Partner Haines Watts, and attended screening during September and October.

The successful applicants receive on-court technical training and strength and conditioning coaching at their ADC on Monday evenings, although those sessions have been taking place online during lockdown. They have also received a Team Bath induction presentation, sharing the values and goals that the Blue & Gold aspire to, and have access to a brandnew Athlete Performance Manager.

Team Bath has a proud tradition of developing players through the performance pathway and onto the national and international stage. Nine of this year’s ADC intake have been selected to trial for England at U17 and U19 level, while recent Academy players Kirsty Harris, Hannah Passmore and Abi Robson have all been named in the Blue & Gold’s 2021 Vitality Superleague squad.

Find out more about the Academy Development Centres by visiting netball.teambath.com/futures-pathway.