ACADEMY STORY
The Peninsula Development Academy started in 2023 after Peninsula Waves Coaches saw how many talented players missed out on selection for representative squad teams due to the high level of competition and limited spots. To provide more opportunities, we opened expressions of interest for the Peninsula Development Academy to players from various associations who either missed out on their association’s representative squads or were looking for additional chances to be coached by qualified professionals.
Our mission is to give players the opportunity to be coached by experts who are actively involved in netball pathways. We offer the chance to compete in competitive matches against association representative squads and give players a taste of tournament netball, again competing against top-tier teams.
The Academy also serves as a platform to develop aspiring coaches who wish to progress into squad coaching roles or learn from the experienced Peninsula Waves coaches. Over the past three years, Australian Diamond #78 and Peninsula Waves coach Sue Hawkins has led the training sessions of our program.
In the past two years, more than 45 players from our academy have been selected for representative programs across the peninsula and beyond.
We recently asked some of the 30 players who were selected in programs last year to share their experiences and celebrate their success!
- 2024 Peninsula Development Academy 11&U
- 2025 Chelsea & DNA 11&U Squad Player
- What grassroots club did you start your netball?
Bonbeach netball club - What was your netball journey before you came to the development academy?
I was playing and training once a week and loved watching my older cousins play. - Why did you choose Peninsula Development Academy?
I tried out for CDNA for 2024 but missed out, so I came along to Peninsula Development Academy try outs so I could learn more skills and play in another team. - What was your favourite thing about the Academy?
Making new friends and learning new skills. - What do you love most about being involved with the CDNA Squad?
My coach! My new team mates and the uniform! - Do you have any weird netball superstitions?Favorite pre-game meals?
Vegemite and Jam toast for breakfast. I also play with a ‘See the Colour’ bracelet under my sock.
- 2024 Peninsula Development Academy 11&U
- 2025 Chelsea & DNA 11&U Squad Player
- What grassroots club did you start your netball?
I started playing netball at Chelsea Heights Netball Club and currently playing at Bonbeach Netball Club. - What was your netball journey before you came to the development academy?
I started playing netball at seven years old and had played for two years at U9 level before joining the academy in 11&U. - Why did you choose Peninsula Development Academy?
I had been attending the Peninsula Waves holiday clinics and really enjoyed them and wanted to improve my netball skills further. - What was your favourite thing about the Academy?Playing the weekly games and learning from all the great coaches.
- What do you love most about being involved with the CDNA Squad?
Getting to play tournaments. - Do you have any favourite pre-game meals?
Spaghetti Bolognese.
- 2024 Peninsula Development Academy 11&U
- 2025 Mornington Peninsula NA 13&U Squad Player
- What grassroots club did you start your netball?
Balcombe Netball Club - What was your netball journey before you came to the development academy?
I started playing with my school friends in a school team when I was in Grade 2. I have always played in Goal Attack. In 2022 and 2023 I tried out for the 11&U MPNA representative squad, however I didn’t make it. The first year I got knocked out in the first round and the second year, I made the final trial however was unsuccessful. - Why did you choose Peninsula Development Academy?
I wanted to play more netball and after not making it into MPNA representative squad I thought I would try out for Peninsula Academy. I was so happy when I made it as it was an amazing opportunity to play more netball at a more competitive level. - What was your favourite thing about the Academy?
I loved how Academy taught me more about netball, I got to experience different positions and I met a whole lot of new people. - What do you love most about being involved with the MPNA Squad?
It’s fun. I get to learn even more about netball and I get to play more each week and in tournaments. - What’s your pre-match ritual?
I like to practise my shooting before I play a game of netball.
- 2023 Peninsula Development Academy 11&U
- 2024 Peninsula Development Academy 13&U
- 2025 Frankston & DNA 13&U Squad Player
- What grassroots club did you start your netball?
I started at Tyabb netball club in 2022 where I currently still play. - What was your netball journey before you came to the development academy?
Before I came to the development academy I had only played netball for one season, I fell in love with the game and after winning best and fairest in my first season I decided I wanted to take my netball more seriously and try out for representative netball, I didn’t make it unfortunately but luckily I did make it into the Peninsula Development Academy where I spent two years. I think this is where my skills really sharpened and I learnt so many new skills that really changed the way I played the game. Having missed out on the squad team I was more determined than ever to get selected for 2025! - Why did you choose Peninsula Development Academy?
Because it felt like it was the right path to take in my netball journey if I wanted to get to where I wanted to be - What was your favourite thing about the Academy?
My favourite thing about it was the coaches and their knowledge about the game, they just taught me so much! I loved playing against the other squad teams because it gave me an insight on what level I had to be at to be chosen for squad. I also loved all the friendships I made and all the opportunities it opened up in my netball journey. - What do you love most about being involved with the FDNA Squad?The thing I loved most about FDNA Squad is that I still learn something new every training session so far, I love representing FDNA at a higher level and its been a dream of mine for such a long time.
- What’s your pre-match ritual?
I always make sure I drink loads of water the day before a game and have carbs the night before a game. On the way to my games I make my mum blast the music in the car to pump me up!
- 2024 Peninsula Development Academy 13&U
- 2025 Two Bays Region 17&U Boys Team
- What grassroots club did you start your netball?
Baxter Netball Club - What was your netball journey before you came to the development academy?
Playing games with friends casually - Why did you choose Peninsula Development Academy?
Because I missed out on being selected for squad the year before. - What was your favourite thing about the Academy?
The coaches and scouted to play for Two bays Netball Region - What do you love most about being involved with the Two Bays?
It was an all boys team so I didn’t have to hold back. I had fun making new friends and finishing 4th in the state feels good. - What’s next for you netball?
To win the state title for Two Bays! - What are your goals?
To be able to play for the Australian men’s team
- 2024 Peninsula Development Academy 15&U
- 2025 Nepean NA 15&U Squad
- What grassroots club did you start your netball?
Balcombe Netball Club - What was your netball journey before you came to the development academy?
I played with Balcombe Netball Club from grade 3 and then played rep with MPNA in under 13s. - Why did you choose Peninsula Development Academy?
I wasn’t offered a spot in MPNA under 15s so joined the Peninsula Development Academy to improve my skills. - What was your favourite thing about the Academy?
I really enjoyed being coached by Jess, she helped to develop my skills. - What do you love most about being involved with the NNA Squad?
I like it because I have access to higher level coaches and get to train and play more. - Do you have any weird netball superstitions? Favorite pre-game meals?
I don’t have any superstitions, and I don’t like to eat a lot before game apart from fruit especially blueberries.
- 2024 Peninsula Development Academy 15&U
- 2025 Bayside &DNA 17&U
- What grassroots club did you start your netball?
2017 – 2019 Bonbeach Skyrockets in Chelsea District - What was your netball journey before you came to the development academy?
2020 – Moved to FDNA and joined Frankston South Saints Netball Club when I was successful in gaining a position in FDNA Squad 13&U. COVID hit that year which unfortunately prevented tournament opportunities and playing experience. - Why did you choose Peninsula Development Academy?
I was not successful in squad selection in 2024 and was keen to further develop my netball knowledge and play at a higher level. I felt comfortable at FDNA and wanted to stay involved in this netball community where I played domestically, coached and umpired. - What was your favourite thing about the Academy?
I thoroughly enjoyed the coaching I received through Coxy because she pushed me to be my best and provided constructive feedback both at training and in games. Our team clicked immediately, not only through gameplay but socially and provided a fun and productive environment. - What do you love most about being involved with Bayside?
Even though I’ve been there for a short time I have acquired a lot of new skills that have complimented how I play. - Do you have any weird netball superstitions? Favorite pre-game meals?
I always have gum, listen to techno and go to the bathroom in nervousness right before a game.
- 2024 Peninsula Development Academy 15&U
- 2025 Peninsula Elite Netball (Peninsula Waves Development Team)17&U-2
- What grassroots club did you start your netball?
The grassroots club I started with Langwarrin Netball Club as I had a friend from primary school playing there. I now play for YCW. - What was your netball journey before you came to the development academy?
My netball journey started by playing school netball in the inter school sports program. I then tried out for squad but missed out. - Why did you choose Peninsula Development Academy?
I chose Peninsula Development Academy to further improve my netball by working with coaches who have the knowledge and experience. - What was your favourite thing about the Academy?
My favourite thing about the academy was meeting new people and having Coxy as my coach/mentor. Coxy helped me by giving positive and constructive feedback when necessary which has helped me improve to become a better defender. - What do you love most about being involved with Peninsula Elite Netball?
The thing I loved the most about Peninsula is pushing myself to the limits to try new things and to keep going even when I want to give up.
We’d like to congratulate all players that were successful in gaining selection this year and we look forward to developing the 80+ players that have been selected for the 2025 season.
We look forward to competition in the Monday Night Premier Junior Competition at Jubilee Park in Terms 2&3.
