REGISTRATION DEADLINE 5PM ON MONDAY 31ST JULY 2023
NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Please read the FAQs at the bottom of this page before registering >
Performance Pathway Trials – 2023/24
REGISTRATION DEADLINE 5PM ON MONDAY 31ST JULY 2023
For trialists born between 01/01/2001 to 31/08/2012 (year 7 as of September 2023)
Trial Dates & Times
When entering, please enter the date of birth of the pathway trialist. We will divide all trialists up in to the relevant age groups once registration has closed.
| Age Group | DOB | Trial | Date | Trial Time | Venue |
| U23s | Born after 1st Jan 2001 | Final | Tuesday 12th September | 6pm – 10pm | Platt Lane |
| U21s | Born after 1st Jan 2003 | Final | Tuesday 12th September | 6pm – 10pm | Platt Lane |
| U19s | Born after 1st Jan 2005 | Final | Tuesday 12th September | 6pm – 10pm | Platt Lane |
| U17s | Born after 1st Jan 2007 | Final | Saturday 30th September | TBC | Platt Lane |
|
U16s |
Year 11 (01/09/07 – 31/08/08) |
Open | Saturday 16th September | TBC | Wright Robinson |
| Final | Saturday 30th September | TBC | Wright Robinson | ||
|
U15s |
Year 10 (01/09/08 – 31/08/09) |
Open | Saturday 9th September | TBC | Platt Lane |
| Final | Tuesday 19th September | TBC | Wright Robinson | ||
|
U14s |
Year 9 (01/09/09 – 31/08/10) |
Open | Sunday 10th September | TBC | Platt Lane |
| Final | TBC | TBC | |||
|
U13s |
Year 8 (01/09/10 – 31/08/11) |
Open | Sunday 17th September | TBC | Wright Robinson |
| Final | TBC | Platt Lane | |||
|
U12s |
Year 7 (01/09/11 – 31/08/12) |
Open | TBC | Wright Robinson | |
| Final | Sunday 15th October |
TBC | Platt Lane |
PLEASE NOTE: Any athlete trialling maybe asked to attend a different age group for final trials IF at open trials selectors feel it is necessary.
Venue Addresses:
Platt Lane, Yew Tree Road, Manchester, M14 7UU
Wright Robinson, Abbey Hey Lane, Manchester, M18 8RL
To download our Pathway selection policy, please click here.
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Event F.A.Q
If I was in Thunder’s pathway 22-23 Season do I have to attend open trials?
You will only need to attend open trials if you were in U12 POD, U12s, U13 POD, U13s. From U14s - U23s you will NOT need to attend open trials, you go straight to final trials. Lauren will be in touch with this information.
What age group do I trial for?
This year we will allocate you the age group to trial for based off your DOB and school year.
What should I wear?
White T-shirt/vest with your trial number displayed clearly on your arm and leg. The bigger the better! Please don’t put trial numbers on t-shirts as you will have bibs on covering this up. Finger nails to be cut short and hair tied back neatly. Please avoid wearing club/school kit. Ensure you bring clothing to wear in between games and to enter/exit the building in. Bring warm clothes to wear between matches. Bring drinks and snacks.
When will I receive my trial information?
We will send out all trail information 1 month before the trial date. After signing up you will receive a confirmation email, if you haven’t received this please email [email protected] and we can look into this for you. The email 1 month before the trial will include your arrival time, trial number and venue.
What happens on arrival?
Please arrive at the time identified on your trial email and head into reception where you will see a registration desk and thunder staff members. If you cant attend or are running late please email [email protected] and let the team know.
How are the teams built at trials?
You will be allocated a time slot based on your position and number of people that have applied at random by Phil Thomas. You will get ample time to warm up on court in the random generated teams you have been placed in. We aim to give everyone equal court time (some positions may get slightly more if we are low on a certain position). If we are low on a position we may ask girls sat off to fill in if needed – don’t worry as the selectors will see that you are playing out of position and it wont impact on selection.
What is the trial format?
You will be allocated a team and play at least x6 short matches. The fixtures will be displayed on the walls next to the courts – please keep checking what round we are on so you don’t miss your playing opportunity. After the trial you will have time to cool down. The outcome of the trial will be sent out by Wednesday the following week by email. No feedback will be given due to the large number of trialists.
What do the selectors look for?
Selectors will watch all the athletes in the session multiple times and collate evidence and a decision on that athlete. Each selector makes their own decision on an athlete and it isn’t discussed during the trial. After the trial the selectors will come together and put forward their vote for each athlete. It is always a majority vote and not down to one selector if an athlete is successful/not. They will not talk or communicate with players trialling.
When will I get to know the outcome of trials?
We will endeavour to let you know the outcome as soon as possible after the trial but we ask if you haven’t heard anything 5 days after the trial please contact [email protected] in case the email has bounced back. No feedback will be given due to the large amount of trialists we will have. However, if you been part of the Thunder pathway 21-22 season, you will receive feedback if not selected.