PATHWAY

If you are interested in finding out more about our pathway, or to discuss if you are eligible to represent Northern Ireland, please contact  (seniorcoach@netballni.org)

Athletes may be eligible to represent Northern Ireland at international level if they meet the following guidelines as set out by World Netball:

National Squad Eligibility

AGE RANGE:

U15 – Athlete must be under 15 as of midnight 31st December 2026/1st January 2027 – YOB 2012, 2013

U17 – Athlete must be under 17 as of midnight 31st December 2026/1st January 2027 – YOB 2010, 2011
U19 – Athlete must be 19 and under as of midnight 31st December 2026/1st January 2027 – YOB 2007, 2008, 2009
U21 – Athlete must be 21 and under as of midnight 31st December 2026/1st January 2027 – YOB – 2005, 2006

To be eligible to play for a National Association’s national representative team in any International Event, by the Submission Date for that Event a player must satisfy at least one of the following requirements and their National Association must provide corresponding Evidence of Eligibility to the INF:

  1. be born in that country or have at least one parent or grandparent born in that Country;
  2. reside in and have a fixed address in Northern Ireland for > 2 years (European Competition)
  3. reside in and have a fixed address in Northern Ireland for > 4 years (Commonwealth Games)

The Northern Ireland Act (1998)

Netball Northern Ireland is a stand-alone body recognised in its entirety by Netball Europe and the International Netball Federation.

As per the Northern Ireland Act 1998, citizens within Northern Ireland have the following birth right:

‘It is the birth right of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves…as Irish or British or both, as they may so choose and accordingly…. to hold both a British and Irish Citizenship’.

Subsequently, Netball Players in Northern Ireland can choose to represent either Northern Ireland or Ireland at International level. The athlete must make an informed decision on which route they want to take.

Camps

Training camps for all squads will take place on weekends each month with longer camps scheduled throughout the school holidays.

Athletes wishing to be selected for, and those who are successful in selection into a National Squad should be training and competing at the highest club/representative level available to them weekly;

  • 1st Division / Premier League Senior Club Team
  • 1st / 2nd University Club Teams that play within BUCS Tier 1A or 2A
  • NPL Franchise Squads

Netball Northern Ireland is inviting you to express an interesting in trialling to be part of our national squads for the 2026/2027 season.

The Season 26/27 commences in July 2026 with the Trials Phase in June, leading into skills focussed camps, international opportunities if selected and specialist coaching and support services.

The closing date for the submission of Expressions of Interest applications is 19:00, Monday 25th May 2026. Invitations sent by Monday 1st June.

Fill in the form below to apply: Northern Ireland U17 U19 U21 National Academy Programmes Expression of Interest Form 2026 – Fill in form

Please note the following before you apply:

  • Although you have expressed an interest to be selected into the programme, you may NOT be asked to trial due to experience, level or numbers at trials on the day itself.
  • We cannot trial post this date in June so please be aware of this when applying.

NATIONAL SQUADS – ELIGIBILITY

Squad Age Group Eligibility – Determined by International Competition Regulations
U17 – Athlete must be under 17 as of midnight 31st December 2026/1st January 2027 – YOB 2010, 2011, 2012 (from an NI U15 academy)*
U19 – Athlete must be 19 and under as of midnight 31st December 2026/1st January 2027 – YOB 2007, 2008, 2009
U21 – Athlete must be 21 and under as of midnight 31st December 2026/1st January 2027 – YOB – 2005, 2006

U23 – We are looking for players from our pathway who are out of age who want to be considered to be looked at for future senior competitions.

Athlete Eligibility 
To be eligible to play for Northern Ireland, the athlete must meet the criteria below and have proof (passport/birth certificate):
a) Be born in Northern Ireland or have at least one parent or grandparent born in Northern Ireland
b) Reside in and have a fixed address in Northern Ireland for > 2 years (European Competition)
c) Reside in and have a fixed address in Northern Ireland for > 4 years (Commonwealth Games)

*Athletes born in 2012 are eligible for our U15 programme – Programme applications our in June/July.

Programme Details:

Training camps for all squads will take place roughly once a month for 2 days over a weekend in Northern Ireland (majority Belfast based).

We would recommend that you have club or Academy level netball experience, or in another sport at a similar level. If you are unsure on whether to apply or not, please chat to your coach or contact seniorcoach@netballni.org

Note the following:

  • Camps are one full weekend per month, beginning in July/August 2026 through to December (U21/U19) and March (U17).
  • European Competitions: U19 5th – 8th November 2026 (Nottingham), U21 11th-13th December 2026 (England Based), U17 4th-7th March 2027 (England).
  • Players are self funded and are will fundraise to aid the programme as well as encouraging you to gain individual sponsorship to help with finances.
    • Trial entry – £10 – details given upon invitation
    • Squad fees – £300 camps (approx. 12 days)
    • European squad member = £200
    • Kit costs – You buy your own via Kukri shop via the link given upon selection.

Full details of programme dates upon invitation to trial.

NI Selection Policy:

NNI Selection Policy 2026

Commonwealth Games 2026:

Team NI Selection Policy 2026

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