Emerging netball starlets from the Goulburn Valley have been handpicked to bolster Bendigo Strikers’ 23-and-under squad in its first Victorian Netball League campaign next year.
A total of six players from the region made the grade for the Strikers, a club incepted a few months ago, to compete in the state’s top flight in 2024.
Goulburn Valley League trio Harriet Gall (Shepparton Swans), Mackenzie O’Dwyer (Shepparton) and Taylah Lloyd (Mooroopna) will hit the court in Strikers colours, as will Tongala’s Grace Hammond and Moama duo Hannah Richards and Abby Larkin.
“To have the range of quality players we have selected is thrilling. This is a true regional squad with 10 clubs across five leagues represented in the 23-and-under squad,” coach Jayden Cowling said.
“I am excited to work with these talented players as individuals to help them to continue to improve and perform at the state level, whilst shaping them into a cohesive team unit.
“The sessions have been fantastic so far, there is a solid pre-season to come, but I cannot wait to get the team on the court.”
O’Dwyer has switched from previous VNL club City West Falcons, while Lloyd moves west after plying her trade for Ariels in 2023.
Gall, a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship holder, will have her first taste of VNL netball in 2024, as will Hammond, Larkin and Richards.
The GV contingent was selected from screening and selection days during October and have now entered the pre-season phase.
Next year’s VNL season is the first in a remodelled competition structure, with the Strikers one of three regional factions introduced in a new licensed agreement alongside Gippsland Stars and Western Warriors.
Strikers president Melinda Keighran was rapt to have such a successful return from scouring the local talent pool.
“We are so excited to have the ability to provide our best young netball talent with a pathway to the top competition in the state,” she said.
“Our 23-and-under coaches led by Jayden Cowling and Tarryn Rymer have done a power of work to bring together a quality list of young players to represent Bendigo Strikers in 2024.
“To have players from across our region come together to train locally and to play in the VNL is so exciting.”