The Team Bath Netball Player Pathway encompasses competitive squads that compete in the National Performance League (NPL) and additional Player Development Programmes (PDPs), aimed at supporting a wider group of athletes as part of the pathway (PDP groups will still have playing opportunities during the season).
Supporting the foundations of the southwest Player Pathway is a network of Athlete Development Centres, aimed at providing young athletes right across the southwest with direct access to our elite training environment, as they prepare for their next steps in netball.
For more information about the Team Bath Netball Player Pathway and Development Programme, please email tbnfutures@bath.ac.uk.
Access to our NPL teams (NXT Gen/U19/U17/U15), our Player Development Programmes (PDPs) and our Athlete Development Centres is via an open trial process, underpinned by our selection policy (updated May 2026, please click here to read).
Structure and eligibility
TEAM BATH NXT GEN LEAGUE (U23)
Date of birth: 2004 and younger (opportunity of four older-age players, born before 1st January 2004)
NXT GEN DEVELOPMENT
Date of birth: 2004 and younger
U19 (NPL)
Date of birth: 2008 and younger
SENIOR PDPs (NORTH AND SOUTH)
Date of birth: 2008 and younger
U17 NPL
Date of birth: 2010 and younger
JUNIOR PDPs (NORTH AND SOUTH)
Date of birth: 2010 and younger
U15 NPL
Date of birth: On or after 1st September 2011
ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT CENTRES
Between the ages of 14 and 17
Trials process
Trials for all NPL and PDP squads, including NXT Gen, will take place in September 2026 and applications are now being accepted. Please note there is a £20 administration fee, payable on application.
U17 trials
Trials are taking place for the following squads:
- U17 NPL – based in Taunton.
- Junior (U17) PDP North – based in Bath.
- Junior (U17) PDP South – based in Taunton.
Players must meet the following criteria:
- Born on or after January 1st 2010 (age eligible).
- Previous experience within a performance pathway.
- Previous experience at Junior or Senior Regional Level Netball.
Players must be available for the following trial dates. Successful trialists from Trials 1a and 1b will be invited to Trial 2a and 2b.
- Trial 1a: Friday 4th September, 6-9pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village.
- Trial 1b: Saturday 5th September, 3-6pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village.
- Trial 2a: Thursday 10th September, 6-9pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village.
- Trial 2b: Tuesday 15th September, 6-9pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village.
U19 trials
Trials are taking place for the following squads:
- U19 NPL – based in Bath.
- Senior (U19) PDP North – based in Bath.
- Senior (U19) PDP South – based in Taunton.
Players must meet the following criteria:
- Born on or after January 1st 2008 (age eligible).
- Previous experience within a performance pathway.
- Previous experience at Senior Regional or National Prem Level Netball.
Players must be available for the following trial dates. Successful trialists from Trial 1 will be invited to Trial 2.
- Trial 1: Monday 7th September, 6-9pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village.
- Trial 2: Monday 14th September, 6-9pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village.
NXT Gen trials
Trials are taking place for the following squads:
- NXT Gen – based in Bath.
- NXT Gen Development – based in Bath.
Players must meet the following criteria:
- Born on or after January 1st 2004 (age eligible) – the NXT Gen League allows five ‘out of age’ players (over-23) to be in the squad.
- Previous experience within a performance pathway.
- Previous experience at National Prem Level Club Netball.
- International Senior or Age Group Squad.
Players must be available for the following trial dates. Successful trialists from Trial 1 will be invited to Trial 2.
- Trial 1: Thursday 3rd September, 6-9pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village.
- Trial 2: Tuesday 8th September, 6-9pm, University of Bath Sports Training Village.
