AO Thunder League Qualifying Tournament 2026-27

AO Thunder Netball League Tournament Want to take part in our Netball League? Our Performance and Development Leagues will both consist of 8 teams per age group who have qualified through the tournament. We have also introduced a Development League for teams that qualify in positions 4 and 5 in their group! SIGN UP DEADLINE - FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2026 Qualifying Tournament There will be a qualifying tournament to establish which teams will compete in our Netball League. This tournament will consist of 18 teams per age group split into 3 groups of 6. Each team will participate in 5 x 12-minute matches. The top 2 teams of each group will go straight through to the Performance League, with the teams in third place in a Performance playoff against each other, with the top 2 also advancing to the Performance League. Teams who finish in 4th a 5th place in their group, the team who comes in 3rd place in the Performance playoffs and also the team who wins the 6th place playoffs will also qualify to compete in our Development League. The League starts on Saturday 31st October 2026 and runs through until Saturday 27th February 2027, with Semi-Finals and Finals being played afterwards. The qualifying tournament is £122.50 per team to enter, which includes umpire fees. Tournament Dates: U11's - Saturday 17th October 2026 U12's - Saturday 19th September 2026 U13's - Saturday 26th September 2026 U14's - Saturday 10th October 2026 U15's - Saturday 24th October 2026 Games will run from 1pm - 5.30pm on each of the days. Tournament Location: Wright Robinson College Abbey Hey Lane Manchester M18 8RL Important Qualifying Tournament Information: > ONE TEAM PER CLUB PER AGE GROUP (If age groups aren't full closer to the time, you may be offered the chance to enter a second team) > £122.50 per team to enter > 18 teams in total split up in to 3 groups of 6 > 5 games played per team > 6 minute halves per game > 30 second break at half time > 2 minutes 30 seconds between rounds > 2 umpires per game (provided by AO Thunder) > 2 table officials each game (one table official to be provided by each team) > Top 2 teams of each group go straight through to the Performance League > 3rd place teams in each group go to playoffs, where the top 2 teams will also qualify for the Performance League > 4th and 5th place teams in each group (as well as the team who comes in 3rd place in the playoffs) will also qualify to compete in our Development League > 6th place teams in each each group go to playoffs, where the top team will also qualify for the Development League Performance Netball League If you are one of the who have qualified for our Performance League through the tournament, each team will play 2 games per day with a break between games and 1 game one week (7 games in total.) Each game will have a 1-hour time slot and will consist of a 10 minute warm up, 10 minute quarters with 2/3/2 minute breaks. Players may play up 1 age group only and must not play down under any circumstances. This will result in sanctions and possible disqualification. The cost to enter the League, required immediately after qualifying, is £240 per team. Umpires not included; you must provide your own minimum C award umpire. > U12s and U14s Semi-Finals Saturday 13th March 2027 > U11s, U13s and U15s Semi-Finals Saturday 20th March 2027 > Finals weekend TBC Development Netball League If you are one of the who have qualified for our Development League through the tournament, each team will play 1 game per day. Each game will have a 1-hour time slot and will consist of a 10 minute warm up, 10 minute quarters with 2/3/2 minute breaks. Players may play up 1 age group only and must not play down under any circumstances. This will result in sanctions and possible disqualification. The cost to enter the League, required immediately after qualifying, is £240 per team. Umpires not included; you must provide your own minimum C award umpire. > Semi-Finals Saturday 13th March 2027 (all age groups) > Finals Saturday 27th March 2027 (all age groups) > If you make the Finals, there will be a £65 fee per team which includes umpire fees If you have any questions about the tournament or league, please email [email protected].