PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2023

Player Development Programme (PDP)

About PDP

futureFERNS is Netball New Zealand’s (NNZ) official junior Netball Programme for Year 1 to 8. As an extension to this programme, NNZ has developed the Year 7 & 8 Player Development Programme (PDP).

For Year 7 & 8 players, PDP has been developed to replace the representative programme previously offered. PDP provides more opportunities for players to develop and extend their technical, tactical and athlete development skills, while also encouraging a broader talent pool and continuing to engage players.

Netball Hutt Valley began by offering PDP to Year 7 players in 2018.  

PDP at Netball Hutt Valley

Netball Hutt Valley deliver the Netball NZ programme at our centre as an extension for players in Year 7 & 8. 

Players nominated should have a solid grasp on netball skills and ready for further development, size and height is not a factor that contributes to this. Participants must be good listeners, happy to work with other players, and be reliable in attendance. 

Coaches will be looking at players ability to execute basic skills to a good standard, such as turning on the ball, passing into space, body balance, landing on the correct foot, footwork, energy levels & attitude. 

Inclusion in this programme at this age is not an indicator of future netball success.  In this age group, there is a lot of development each year and how they go at our skill asssement is just a snapshot in time rather than an indication of their future success in Netball.  The skill assessment night is an opportunity for players to learn and enjoy playing alongside keen netballers from other schools.

Coaches

If you are interested to get involved in coaching please get in touch via email: admin@netballhuttvalley.co.nz. NHV invites coaches in the intermediate/secondary school space to attend the sessions as an observer or supporting coach. 

Player eligibility 

• Year 7 PDP players must be in Year 7 during the 2025 school year. Players must also be registered to a NHV affliate (Club/School). 
• Year 8 PDP players must be in Year 8 during the 2025 school year. Players must also be registered to a NHV affliate (Club/School). 

Skills Assessment

• Participants will be required to attend the Skills Assessment session prior to taking part in the PDP programme. 
• The skills assessment will consist of up to four stations of netball movement skills. 

Dispensations

In special circumstances a dispensation may be granted provided a valid reason has been given for why a player may miss the skills assesment. If seeking dispensation please email admin@netballhuttvalley.co.nz with your valid reason outlined in the email. Dispensations will be granted at the discretion of the CDO and PDP panel. 

Squad/Team Development Sessions

In 2025 we are going to pilot this programme slightly different to in previous years. We will take on board all players who register/ attend (or seek dispensation) the skill assessment day. 

We will split the group in to a series of pods based on players current abilities/ demonstration of skills at the assessment day. These pods will allow players to develop alongside other players of similar ability/ stage where they currently stand. 

We do rely heavily on volunteer coaches to support this programme, so if we do not have the number of coaches available this initiative may revert back to previous seasons. However, we endeavour to do our best to develop and grow all players and coaches who are willing to put in the effort. 

Each pod will consist of upto 40 players. The participants will then complete three workshops consisting of ball skills, movement skills, positional awareness, centre pass and through court strategies. The programme will end with a festival day where upto four teams will be created within each pod and they will play a round robin styled festival day within their pods. 

Once named in a pod/team players will be liable for full payment. If you withdraw after the squad announcement you will be charged the full amount.

Development Session

Sessions will be held for up to two hours. If you cannot make a session it is expected you notify the Community Development Officer (admin@netballhuttvalley.co.nz) at the earliest time possible. 

Festival Day

Players must be available to attend the festival day. If you are unable to attend the one-off festival day please advise as soon as possibe to aid in our planning. 

Fees

• $45 per person. 
• All players will receive a t-shirt to keep

Year 8 Programme Content 2024

The Year 8 squad theme is POSSESION, with these topics covered:

• Vision
• Retention
• Finding space
• Creating turnover

Dates Players required to be available

​​​​​​​Year 7 Programme Content 2025

The Year 7 squad theme is SPACE, with these topics covered:

• Creating space
• Passing in to space
• Defending space/Denying space

Dates Players required to be available

Queries can be sent through to admin@netballhuttvalley.co.nz