Illawarra Academy of Sport netball athletes are excited to compete at the upcoming 2025 Regional Academy Netball Challenge to be held at the Illawarra Sports Stadium in Berkeley. Photo: Supplied.
More than 400 of the state’s brightest young netballers will descend on Berkeley this month when the Illawarra Academy of Sport hosts the three-day 2025 Regional Academy Netball Challenge.
Netballers from across NSW representing all 11 Regional Academies of Sport, along with the Sydney Netball Academy, will take to the court in three action-packed days of competition from 27-29 September at the Illawarra Sports Stadium.
An important pathway for young netball athletes, the challenge provides an opportunity to showcase their talent, develop their game, and experience high-level netball in a supportive community environment.
It’s perfectly timed as Wollongong prepares to host the Origin Australian Diamonds v South Africa’s SPAR Proteas international netball match in October.
It’s the second match of the South Africa Series and the first time in 12 years the Illawarra has hosted an elite international netball event, putting some of the best athletes in the sport on show.
The South Africa Series match will be in the ‘Gong thanks to a partnership with Destination Wollongong, which is also a sponsor of the two-part 2025 Regional Academy Netball Challenge.
Part one on the Saturday, the official Challenge Day, will see athletes split into mixed teams and tested in a series of matches organised by Netball NSW.
Then on the Sunday and Monday, part two will feature academy teams placed into two divisions and games played against one another, with the finals scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Each game will be officiated by Regional Academy of Sport netball umpire athletes, adding to the development opportunities for all involved.
Illawarra Academy of Sport sports programs manager Luke Madigan said the academy was excited to host the event and bring together talented, young netball athletes to test themselves against the best from across NSW.
“The event closes the 2024/25 Regional Academy netball program and will bring together the best 15- and 16-year-old netball talent in NSW,” Madigan said.
“The 2025 Regional Academy Netball Challenge is all about opportunity, giving athletes the chance to compete, grow, and take the next step in their netball journey.
“It is also a celebration of the netball community and the pathways that support our young players.”
Madigan said it was working closely with Netball NSW, with the Regional Academy Netball Challenge part of the Netball NSW pathway, providing valuable opportunities for athletes, coaches and umpires to develop in a high-performance environment.
It’s an event that’s become a highlight on the netball calendar, not just for athletes, but for families, friends, and supporters who get to witness the future of the sport in action.
Supporters are encouraged to come along and support the athletes and the event across the weekend.
2025 Regional Academy Netball Challenge will be held from Saturday 27 to Monday 29 September at the Illawarra Sports Stadium, Fred Finch Park South West, 22 Hooka Creek Road, Berkeley.
