The London Mavericks Pathway is a structured program aimed at developing future talent for the London Mavericks, NSL (Netball Super League), and potentially the England Roses. It focuses on:
- Creating a Clear Identity and Pathway System: Establishing a transparent, structured route for athletes to progress through the ranks and into elite netball environments.
- Maintaining a Sustainable and Successful Pathway: Ensuring long-term success both on and off the court, providing continuity and stability in the development process.
- Building Stronger Relationships with Local Schools and Clubs: Collaborating with grassroots netball organizations to foster a community-based approach to player development.
- Offering quality development and training experiences across all groups: Ensuring value for participants at all levels.
- Developing a Mavericks Coaching Style: Creating a distinctive, effective coaching philosophy that aligns with the Mavericks’ performance ethos and goals.
- Introducing Athletes to Performance Environments and Greater Opportunities: Gradually exposing players to high-performance settings and offering pathways to higher levels of competition and training.
- Furthering Athletes and Coaches on Their Netball Journey: Supporting not just athletes, but coaches as well, in advancing their skills and careers within the sport.
This pathway is designed to nurture talent holistically, focusing on both player and coach development, and creating a strong, integrated system to advance netball within the Mavericks region.
“The LDN Mavericks Pathway is such an important part of both our club and culture. It’s the first step on the players journey and we are committed to ensuring athletes from across our region have an incredibly positive and rewarding experience. It’s an opportunity to introduce players to their first performance environment, to help them develop both on and off the court to help them on their journey to become a Maverick”
Tamsin Greenway – Director of Netball
U23
The feeder squad is the final stage of the pathway sitting right underneath the NSL. It is a squad of 16-20 athletes aged U23, with the exception of 4 players being allowed to sit outside the age bracket. This group of athletes is the only place we are allowed to pull from in case of a temporary replacement in the NSL squad. Therefore, it is a small but key group for us which we have split into 3 types of player. Those that have already or are ready to play NSL, those who sit just underneath the age limit and need more time to breakthrough and those players already in the pathway that we feel are physically and mentally ready for the next level and have shown potential to one day become an NSL player.
U19
A squad of 20 athletes selected each season to train twice a week and compete in the NPL competition including the
summer tournament. Players at this stage are playing regularly at club and are showing the potential to become a
NSL player. This squad will have a variety of players and ages across court and may still include some raw potential.
Stepping up from U17 to U19 is one of the biggest jumps in the pathway and is not an automatic step.
U17
A squad of 20 athletes selected each season to train once a week and compete in the NPL competition including the
summer tournament. They train once a week together and once closer to home either in the PDP or at a Futures Academy. They are on the beginning of their journey and this is where we begin to see the rates of improvement vary
hugely. They will be playing at club level and cementing their chosen position.
U15
A squad of 20 athletes selected in January from the counties allocated to Saracens Mavericks. Training is monthly, until June, where we then re trial those in the programme along with eligible players from our Under 17 Academy and PDPs and any nominated players from external county and franchise PDP and age groups. Training then begins weekly
in preparation for The final 12 selected to play in the School Games tournament in September 2024.
Player Development Programme (PDP)
6 x PDP Squads (including 1 U21 PDP Squad) of 20 players selected each season to train once a week, including S&C provision. They operate as a performance squad and are picked positionally. These players are on the cusp of making performance age group squads, but need more time. They will be playing regularly in clubs and may have been in performance squads before. They play against each other and the Futures Academies. PDP players can be pulled into the performance squads and will be looked at throughout the season. This is a great stepping stone especially for those making the jump from U15 to U17 to U19.
FUTURES:
London Mavericks Futures are designed to support and nurture emerging netball talent. It is the ideal stepping stone for aspiring netball players to unlock their potential and begin their journey towards high-performance sport. Athletes will benefit from expert coaching , skill development, and competitive opportunities. All aimed at enhancing their technical abilities, tactical understanding, and mental resilience.