LATHALLAN SCHOOL
PERFORMANCE ACADEMY
A 10-month development programme for ambitious young athletes ready to raise their game.
Limited places available
THE PERFORMANCE ACADEMY
From Player to Athlete
Are you ready to transition from player to athlete? The Lathallan Performance Academy is a 10-month development programme designed for ambitious rugby and netball athletes aged 14-18 who are serious about their progress and ready to raise their game.
We do not just coach the sport, we develop the whole person. The Performance Academy combines elite coaching, strength and conditioning, sport-specific skills development, performance psychology and nutritional guidance to elevate every aspect of performance.
Build physical power, speed, mental resilience and a competitive edge that transfers directly to match day, opening doors to scholarships, representative squads and progression into the next level of your sport.
2027 INTAKE
Missed the 2026 trials?
Applications for our 2026 intake are now closed (trials took place on June 7th, 2026). However, if you are a dedicated athlete aged 14–18, you can get ahead of the game.
Register your interest today to be the first to hear about our 2027 Trial Days.
PROGRAMME
Lathallan Netball and Rugby Performance Academy
Our programme runs from September to June, providing a consistent high-performance environment every Wednesday evening from 6pm-8pm. Investment is £750 per athlete, payable in 10 monthly instalments of £75.
OUR APPROACH
Performance Pillars
We focus on five key areas to ensure a 360-degree approach to athlete development.
EXPERT COACHING
Meet the Team
Head of Rugby
James Sadio
James brings over 17 years of experience in rugby development across grassroots, pathway, academy and senior club environments. His coaching philosophy centres on developing confident, skilful and resilient athletes on and off the field.
Head of Netball
Ellis Mathieson
Ellis has over nine years of coaching experience across club, district, pathway and national development environments, bringing technical coaching, physical preparation and athlete wellbeing together in one performance-led environment.
Nutrition Lead / School Matron
Ally McGregor
Ally is a Registered Nurse and current Obesity Nurse Specialist within NHS Grampian, with specialist knowledge in clinical nutrition, health behaviour change and sports nutrition.
Robert Gordon University LECTURER / Former national age-grade player
Dr Andy Hall
Andy is a Senior Lecturer at Robert Gordon University and a former national age-grade rugby player . A PhD specialist in HIIT and sports performance, Andy has worked across the health and performance spectrum as a scientist, coach, and nutritionist. He blends high-level academic research with the grit of professional sport to help athletes and students excel.
Assistant Coach
Stephen Wardell
Stephen is a UKCC-qualified Lead Coach who combines extensive playing experience with a modern, player-centred approach to skill development and strength and conditioning. Since 2019, he has focused on building high-performance environments where players take ownership of their development, including guiding youth squads to National League success.
Netball Coach
Kirsty Watson
Kirsty brings a wealth of technical knowledge and high-level competitive experience. Currently competing in Division 1 with Dunedin Netball Club in Edinburgh, she bridges the gap between elite play and elite coaching. She specialises in shooting development, working with athletes to master accuracy, consistency, and calm decision-making under high-pressure match scenarios.
THREE STEPS
How to Apply
We are looking for athletes who demonstrate commitment, discipline and a desire to lead.
REGISTER
Express your interest for 2027
Applications for our inaugural 2026 Trial Day are now closed. However, you can still get your name on the radar for our next intake. Complete our quick expression of interest form to be notified as soon as 2027 dates and deadlines are locked in.
STAY INFORMED
Sports Academy News
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
Have a question about the Performance Academy, the Trial Day or what to expect? Start here.
The Lathallan Performance Academy is designed for athletes aged 14-18, with a specific focus on netball and rugby. This allows the coaching staff to bypass introductory lessons in the fundamentals and instead focus on advanced tactical awareness, position-specific skills, and the strength and conditioning necessary for elite performance. This aligns with the formal long-term athlete development pathways used by professional clubs and national governing bodies. This is the critical window where talent identification occurs and where athletes are scouted for regional squads or scholarships. By keeping the age group narrow, we maintain a safe physical environment and it prevents significant disparities in size and power.
We welcome players from a range of backgrounds and levels. It’s always useful to hear about your prior experience but what matters most is your attitude, commitment and desire to develop.
Testing is designed to assess your current physical and technical abilities in a supportive environment. Full details will be shared with registered applicants ahead of the trial day.
The programme runs every Wednesday evening from 6pm-8pm, from September through to June.
We encourage all applicants to keep developing through their clubs and school programmes. We may be able to offer feedback and guidance on areas to work on.
Training is aligned with national netball and rugby pathway criteria. These pathways are designed to transition players from grassroots to elite levels.
No. The fee of £750 can be paid in 10 monthly instalments of £75 from September to June.
Lathallan School offers merit-based sports scholarships, with specific focuses on rugby, netball, and general sport. These are open to students from all backgrounds and provide a fee remission of up to 25%, which can also be held alongside a means-tested bursary. Engaging with our Performance Academy will put you directly in the minds of the team who assess all Lathallan sports scholarship applicants. To learn more about the selection process, interested candidates should reach out to a member of the Performance Academy team.
Have another question? Contact the Performance Academy team and we will be happy to help.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact the Performance Academy
For trial enquiries, application questions or general Performance Academy information, please contact the team directly.
Train Harder. Play Smarter. Raise Your Game.
Apply now for the inaugural intake and take the first step towards the Lathallan Performance Academy.