Meet coach Kiana Stagg

Chatting with Elite Netball Academy Sussex coach Kiana Stagg

We’re delighted to welcome Kiana Stagg to the Elite Netball Academy coaching team. Kiana is an experienced and passionate netball coach. She has previously been involved in the Sussex County pathway and is currently U17 coach for a Superleague Academy.

Kiana is Head Coach for our Sussex Academy, to find out more about where and when we train, head this way.

Let’s get to know Kiana a little bit better

Tell us about your netball coaching journey

After many years of playing netball, my coaching journey began in 2017. I started out coaching regional club netball and in 2018 decided to set up my own club – Magic. For the last five years, I have coached regionally, on the Sussex pathway and more recently I have been London Pulse’s U15 and U17 Academy Head Coach. 

What’s it like being part of A Superleague club’s coaching set-up?

Absolutely brilliant! It’s an incredible team to be part of. The Academy players are outstanding – they are all so coachable and possess an incredibly high work rate, alongside superb skill and a strong desire to improve. The Superleague coaching team are hugely supportive and equally brilliant too – they support my coaching development and constantly challenge me to be a better coach!

What is your earliest netball memory?

Where it all started – with my amazing primary school teacher Mrs Kendrick who introduced me to netball in Year 5! This is where I found my love of the sport.

What attracted you to work with Anna and Elite Netball Academy?

Anna has been a wonderful coaching support for me over the past few years. During lockdown, she mentored me and supported my coaching development technically and tactically. I have loved what Anna and the team at Elite Netball Academy have built. The Northern High-Performance Centres look incredible and I was so keen to support our Southern athletes with this programme.

What has netball taught you?

Netball has taught me to be resilient and believe in your ability. As with all sports, netball has highs and lows, but the incredible highs make it all worth it!

If you weren’t a netball coach, what would you do?

I am a primary school teacher during the day, so probably more of that as I love teaching too.

Best netball memory to date?

Most recently winning the U15 England Netball Academies Competition with the U15 London Pulse Academy team! We had worked so hard for two years to get to that point (after coming runners-up last year), so to be crowned champions meant everything! They’re a very special group!

Any pre-game superstitions?

Weirdly – no! But I always have to have a good warm-up playlist!

What would you say to a 10-year-old Kiana in relation to life goals and netball?

Believe in yourself. Netball is going to take you on the most wonderful journey and make up some of your best memories, enjoy it all – the people, the training, the competitions and the trips! 

Thinking about the new Sussex Academy, what are you most excited about?

Providing a high-quality training environment to a range of athletes and allowing them to develop their netball confidence and individual skillset! 

Want to join our sussex academy?

Entry to the Sussex Academy is via a trial process. Fill out the form below to contact us and a member of the team will get back to you with more information: