It shapes as a banner year for Goulburn Valley representation in the state’s top competition as the Bendigo Strikers seek out further success in 2025 following a comfortable inaugural campaign.
While it was tough going for the 23-and-under Strikers at the first time of asking, wrapping up with a 4-18 record, the Championship side acquitted itself comfortably with an improved back half of the campaign to finish the season in fifth.
Set to be led once again by head coach Tracey Brereton, who continues to manage Nathalia’s A-grade outfit in Murray Netball League on the weekends, it feels like things are coming together.
Brereton lauded the commitment of a vastly geographically diverse group of girls who are set to don Strikers colours in 2025.
“We improved coming towards the end of our 2024 season and we knew exactly where some gaps where and what we needed to do,” Brereton said.
“We wanted to expand more across the bands from Bendigo to Shepp and even to Albury-Wodonga.
“It’s impressive that it’s gained a lot of momentum and that these girls are willing to travel all this way.”
Bendigo Strikers 2025 Goulburn Valley representatives
Championship: Teal Hocking (Rochester), Harriet Gall (Shepparton Swans), Amelia Brock (Tongala)
23-and-under: Abby Larkin (Moama), Asha Gray (Mooroopna), Elsie Boyer (Tatura), Mackenzie O’Dwyer (Shepparton)
Among those committing to the travel at Championship level are defender Abby Larkin of Moama, Rochester goaler Teal Hocking and Shepparton Swans midcourter Harriet Gall.
It undoubtedly brings its own set of challenges as it pertains to training and the like, with players spread far and wide and all but three of the Strikers’ fixtures played in the neutral zone at Melbourne’s State Netball Centre.
“We’re trying to think outside the box a bit and do some hubs to make things a bit more central,” Brereton said.
“We want to put some of these things in place so the girls aren’t always having to travel as far.
“Being a country VNL side, we can’t put those everywhere, so there is unfortunately a lot of travel time.
“The state centre is the home of netball for us, but last year, we had sellout crowds in Bendigo where over 1000 people came to watch.”
Locals in Victorian Netball League in 2025
Boroondara Express: Ally Black, Casey Adamson, Sarah Szczykulski (Seymour)
Melbourne University Lightning: Claudia Mawson (Echuca), Dayna Williams (Mooroopna)
It’s to that point that Brereton spruiks the burgeoning community aspect of the club, which she credits for luring some northern talents away from metro franchises.
“The board does a fantastic job to engage the community. It’s amazing watching kids line up to get autographs from the girls,” Brereton said.
“For people from Bendigo, the travel might not be so bad since it’s only an hour and a half, but any games that are in your home area makes it a hell of a lot easier.
“The biggest thing is that now that we have the team out here, it needs to be a really good and sustainable program.”
The 23-and-under outfit has seen its share of locals coming home, with Mooroopna’s Asha Gray and Tatura playing coach Elsie Boyer among those pulling on the Strikers dress after spending 2024 at Melbourne sides.
Brereton is more than pleased with the rosters at her disposal.
“With our 23s, we’ve really targeted the areas we needed to improve and I think we’ve got the right mix,” Brereton said.
“Our goal was ‘let’s get these girls home’. A lot of them want to do that and there’s a number of them like Elsie and Asha committing.
“It’s more about awareness of what we are. They’re happy to commit to coming home and they’re quality players.
“The Championship side has pretty much kept everyone and bolstered it with bits and pieces.
“I think we’re in for a great year and it’s going to be some good netball.”
19°C