Mitchell said part of the reason for the academy was to ensure a team was playing for Dannevirke, with the goal of taking a team to the national Under-18s or the North island Under-14 and Under-16 championships.
"We may not get all three teams, but if we got one, that would put Dannevirke on the map," she said.
Coaches would not only help develop skills in netball but they would also teach nutrition and goal-setting - "just some of those parts of sport that they're probably not used to".
Mitchell said a lot of potential was coming through, from the primary schools and above.
"Even our local high school teams have done well in the Manawatu competition.
"We have fielded teams in the past, just to expose them to the compeititon, but there's always been girls playing for Manawatu, because they see that as the best opportunity, so it's giving them those same or better opportunities in their home town."
The academy is open to boys and girls, aged under 18 and is held at the netball courts at Dannevirke Sports Centre in Anderson St.
