Ella Rees, Georgie Carberry, Emma Buwalda and Claudia Lee all travelled to Melbourne, where they played practice games against the Victorian state team.

Rees said it was daunting at first but enjoyed the challenge.

"I haven't been back in my netball and only just starting the season again and seeing all the state team, and the coaches was quite nerve-wracking for me," she said.

"As soon as I got out on the court it all went away, and it was fun."

For the Harrow-Balmoral star, the difference in quality was a good learning experience.

"It was a pretty big jump for us to play the state team. Really fast paced game, really good technique and it gave us a good idea of where we need to be," Rees said.

Horsham Demons' Emma Buwalda said it was great to learn from respected coaches "who'd been around for a while."

"All their tips are so great I think I wrote down about three pages of notes when I finished just to try and remember it all," she said.

Last year's Hatcher Medal winner said she was keen for the season to arrive and apply what she'd learnt.

"I just want it to start, it seems so far away but I'm looking forward to it."

The academy will meet again in two weeks for a training camp.