Some of the brightest bodies and minds in the Goulburn Valley netball scape will headline a Super Sunday in Bendigo this weekend.
New Victorian Netball League franchise Bendigo Strikers, coached by Nathalia’s Tracey Brereton, is hosting an epic double header at Red Energy Arena, which draws a host of red-hot cast of players to the courts for scintillating round 12 action.
Rochester starlet Teal Hocking will play her first ‘home’ game for the season for the Strikers as it welcomes Geelong Cougars to the hardwood.
She’ll serve in the Strikers’ goaling end alongside Tongala’s Milly Brock, while Shepparton Swan ace Harriet Gall could play a role against the fourth-placed Cougars.
Earlier on, the Kim Borger (Shepparton) and Jasmine Fraser (Tatura)-led Western Warriors take on Melbourne University Lightning, which features ex-Echuca talent and Melbourne Vixens reserve player Claudia Mawson.
The local links don’t stop there.
In the 23-and-under clashes, Strikers boast the likes of Mooroopna’s Taylah Lloyd, Tongala’s Grace Hammond and Moama’s Abby Larkin, while the Cats duo of Asha Gray and Dayna Williams ply their trade for the Lightning.
Bendigo Strikers board president Melinda Keighran was ecstatic to welcome such a rich crop of talent to Red Energy Arena for the Super Sunday showdown.
“It is going to be amazing to have so many talented netballers in Bendigo on Sunday,” she said.
“I am looking forward to seeing the Bendigo Football Netball League best-on-court from last year’s A-grade grand final in Claudia Mawson take the court.
“Claudia played her junior netball in Echuca, regional netball for North Central and is now a main part of the Gisborne success story.
“To have the likes of Gabby Coffey, Brooke Allen and Kim Borger all take the court in Bendigo is very special.”
While they won’t be playing under Brereton on the day, Mawson and Coffey are far from strangers to the mentor.
Aside from her coaching duties at the Strikers and Nathalia, Brereton was recently announced as head coach of the Melbourne Vixens Super Netball Reserves squad, which the duo were recently announced in.
It means that this weekend’s ‘Super Sunday’ tag truly lives up to the billing.
“We invite the netball and sport loving community of Bendigo and surrounds to come along for a great day out,” Keighran said.
“Many people commented on the standard of game at our first home game that we can't wait to replicate that this weekend.
“With the home crowd backing Strikers we will be aiming for a victory against the Geelong Cougars.”