Are you looking to take your game to the next level – and achieve a higher representative status?

If the answer is yes, a rare opportunity awaits with the Hunter Academy of Sport.

The academy recently confirmed it will take over the ownership and management of the only Hunter-based Dooley’s Metro League Netball team and will begin operation under a new team name - Hunter Netball.

This statement coincides with the opening of nominations for the renamed 2019 Metro League sides, with the Hunter Academy of Sport calling for applications for athletes and coaching staff via their website. 

The academy is also on the lookout for corporate sponsors of the team, with all major properties and partnerships available. 

Metro League is one of the elite netball competitions in NSW, offering weekly competition for the state’s most talented netballers, coaches, umpires and administrators. 

Hunter Netball will field two sides in the 2019 Metro League, with early indications from Netball NSW and 2018 placings indicating a spot in both division one and division four for the 2019 season. 

“Excitement is very high surrounding the launch of these new teams,” Hunter Academy of Sport CEO Brett O’Farrell said.

“We believe this will continue the pathway for the region’s elite athletes and will provide a great environment for talented netballers to apply their trade with much less travel and time commitments.

“We see the team as a full representation of the region’s netball associations and many benefits will flow back to their members through high performance player and coach education sessions.”

Hunter United have previously been a successful brand in the Metro League, leveraging opportunity for regional athletes to compete against their metropolitan counterparts. 

This partnership with the Hunter Academy of Sport will provide Hunter Netball with credibility as they continue to create a strong team and open the pathway for the next Premier League bid. 

Hunter United chair Jodi Cassar is the excited about the new pathways created under this model with the Hunter Academy of Sport.

“We’ve had a goal for a while now to get the Hunter back into the Premier League Division,” she said.

“This new model enables greater growth and pathways for Hunter players, coaches, umpires and bench officials.

“We realised early on that it was going to be a challenge but with the backing of the Hunter United Board we knew the timing was right.

“Our Hunter associations have been a great support in helping us realise this next phase of netball in the Hunter and we thank them for that.”

A trial date of Sunday, December 9, has been confirmed for all interested athletes in the Hunter. 

Coaching applications are now open, too, and close on December 2; while athlete applications end on December 5.

For more information and to nominate as an athlete or coach, visit www.hunteracademy.org.au/hunter-netball

Potential sponsors are also invited to contact the Hunter Academy office.