New partnership announcement

University of Huddersfield and Elite Netball Unite in Landmark Partnership to Grow the Future of the Game

The University of Huddersfield and Elite Netball are proud to announce a landmark strategic partnership that will create one of the region’s most exciting environments for developing netball talent, combining elite performance, higher education and community engagement.

The partnership will see the University become the Official Yorkshire-based Higher Education Partner of Elite Netball, bringing together world-class academic expertise with high-performance sport to support athletes at every stage of their journey.

Designed to strengthen the performance pathway for aspiring netball players across Yorkshire and beyond, the collaboration will provide student-athletes with the opportunity to pursue a university degree while accessing elite coaching, performance support and competitive playing opportunities.

The netball partnership will deliver a range of initiatives, including:

• A dedicated dual-career pathway enabling talented players to combine academic study with elite-level netball.
• Access to the University’s high-performance training facilities, strength and conditioning programmes, sports science expertise and athlete support services.
• Student placement and volunteering opportunities across coaching, performance analysis, sports therapy, physiotherapy, marketing, media and event management.
• Joint community outreach programmes designed to inspire the next generation of players.
• Talent identification events and performance camps to strengthen the regional player pathway.

The partnership reflects a shared ambition to raise standards, increase participation and create sustainable opportunities for women and girls to thrive in sport.

Ben Severn, Performance and Partnerships Manager at the University of Huddersfield, said:

“This partnership is about much more than netball. It’s about creating opportunities for talented young people to achieve their ambitions both academically and athletically. Elite Netball shares our vision of developing people as well as players, and together we will create an environment that supports excellence, innovation and long-term success.”

Anna Carter, Owner and Founder at Elite Netball, said:

“ At Elite Netball, we’re passionate about creating opportunities that allow players to reach their full potential, both on and off the court. Partnering with the University of Huddersfield is an exciting step forward because it enables athletes to access outstanding academic opportunities alongside a genuine high-performance environment. Together, we’re building a pathway that not only develops better netball players, but confident, well-rounded young people with the skills and support to succeed in whatever they choose to do.”

The partnership will provide University students with invaluable industry experience through placements and volunteering within an elite sporting environment, while Elite Netball athletes will benefit from specialist sport science support and an increase in their capacity to deliver events across the region to more netballers.

The announcement marks another significant step in the University of Huddersfield’s growing investment in elite sport and women’s sport, reinforcing its reputation as a destination for ambitious student-athletes seeking to combine academic excellence with high-performance competition.