Hartpury College student and Hartpury Netball Academy member Neve Marsden (A-levels) has been named as one of 23 athletes in England Netball’s Roses Academy for 2024/25.
The Roses Academy is part of the England Netball Player Pathway and supports young athletes on their journey towards being potential senior England internationals.
Selections have been made after assessors observed athletes in action during the 2023-24 Netball Performance Leagues (NPL), as well as the NPL Tournament and the U16 National Clubs event. A selection weekend was then held on 7-8 September at Loughborough University with all the athletes in attendance in contention for a place in the Roses Academy.
Over the coming months, the Roses Academy, led by Roses Pathway Head Coach Sonia Mkoloma and supported by Assistant Coach Tamsin Greenway, will come together for regular camps in Loughborough.
These will offer athletes a well-rounded development programme on and beyond the court, covering everything from technical skills and tactical knowledge to anti-doping education and media training.
As well as getting to take part in some friendly behind-closed-doors matches, eligible Academy athletes will also be up for selection for the Europe Netball U17 Championship in March 2025. All athletes are also eligible to represent England at the Netball World Youth Cup which will take place from Friday 19 until Sunday 28 September 2025 in Gibraltar.
Discussing the selection process and new cohort, Mkoloma said: “It has been an exciting process to ensure we have been able to identify a group of talented Roses Academy players for the 2024-25 programme.
“The Roses Pathway support staff, coaches and I will ensure these players receive high-quality care and coaching, offering them not only valuable experience but also technical and tactical insights to help further their game.
“With a big 12 months ahead, I can’t wait to watch this group grow, evolve and fully embrace all the opportunities that come their way.”
Neve added: “I am extremely happy and honoured to have regained my place in the Roses Academy. Even before enrolling at Hartpury College this September, I was lucky enough to have accessed the elite coaching and facilities here over the summer to help prepare me for the trials. I can’t wait to see what this season brings with the Roses Academy and Hartpury.”
In other good news for the Hartpury netball programme, Jess Shaw (Hartpury University head coach) and Paige Reed (a BTEC Sports Coaching student and BSc (Hons) Sports Performance graduate and former Hartpury University head coach) have been named as part of the England Rose’s full-time programme for the coming season.
Holly Duerden, Hartpury Netball Academy manager said: “I am delighted that Neve has regained her place in the Roses Academy. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her over the years and she’s a real role model to other players. Neve enters her studies at Hartpury College during a key time for our Netball Academy, following the hugely successful season we had last year. I believe that having someone like Neve in our programme not only continues our drive to be the best but also inspires other student athletes for the future.
“I’d also like to say a huge congratulations to Paige and Jess who have been and continue to be an integral part of the Netball Academy at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.”
Hartpury Netball
Those studying at Hartpury University or Hartpury College and who are part of the Netball Academy learn from seasoned coaches who hold qualifications and experience at the national and international levels, all while actively participating in the UK Netball Super League. Supportive coaches are committed to helping student players harmonize their academic studies with netball commitments, enabling them to excel in both domains. Many students have progressed to represent at the national, NPL, or international levels on a regular basis.
