While the return of competition netball in Goulburn Valley League is still a few weeks away, the region’s top players will lace up for round one of the Victorian Netball League on Wednesday night.
A large crop of GV stars will fly the Bendigo Strikers banner in the club’s second season, hosting Peninsula Waves in the campaign opener at Bendigo Stadium.
Tatura midcourt dynamo Elsie Boyer has been anointed co-captain of the Strikers’ 23-and-under contingent since crossing over from Boroondara Express and is eager to boost her new side’s profile after the Bendigo outfit finished 11th in 2024.
“It’s an honour to have the trust of my teammates and coaches to help guide and empower our under-23s team to success in 2025,” Boyer said.
Boyer will serve under the tutelage of Nathalia mentor and Strikers’ championship outfit coach Tracey Brereton, who will oversee fellow GVL starlets Asha Gray (Mooroopna) and Mackenzie O’Dwyer (Shepparton) in the VNL.
“(Boyer) is an experienced midcourter who will help drive this team,” Brereton said.
“(Gray) is a complete midcourter who can cover all three positions.
“Macca (O’Dwyer) is a valuable player because she is very coachable, gets around her teammates and wants to win.”
The recruitment of VNL-ready players out of the local talent pool has been a clear strategy for the Strikers after taking in the lessons of their inaugural season.
While the championship side had a respectable campaign in 2024, finishing sixth, the 23-and-under unit claimed four wins from 22 games.
“2024 was hard for our 23-and-under group,” Brereton said.
“They were not like our champ girls who already had connections and experience, so they struggled with connections and consistency.
“For 2025, our main focus was to get more country girls home who have had VNL experience.
“That we have done and I believe that will help settle the group and push them up to fight for finals in 2025.”
Fellow Goulburn Valley guns hitting the court on Wednesday night for the Strikers are Teal Hocking (Rochester) and Milly Brock (Tongala), who’ll line up in the championship division.
Further south, Melton-based club Western Warriors — also in its sophomore season — will feature 2025 Shepparton playing coach Kim Borger and Tatura goaler Jasmine Fraser.
Boroondara Express sports a healthy GVL pulse, with Seymour trio Casey Adamson, Sarah Szczykulski and Ally Black donning the teal dress alongside Euroa sharpshooter Olivia Morris.
They’ll take on a Melbourne University Lightning opposition containing Mooroopna’s Dayna Williams and Echuca product Claudia Mawson in round one.
In other netball news, Mansfield has signed Sophie Bray from Katamatite in Picola District Netball League.
Bray, a skilled midcourt technician, is an A-grade best-and-fairest winner with the Tigers and was named the PDNL’s Rising Star in 2021.
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