Burra netballer joins Bendigo Strikers reserves team

TALENTED young Sebastopol defender Alice Kain is taking her netball to a new level this season, joining second-year Victorian Netball League club Bendigo Strikers.

The 18-year-old has been one of the early standouts for the Strikers’ VNL Reserves team, which has started the season at 3-2 following a loss to Western Warriors in their most recent game last Sunday.

It followed a purple-patch of form for the youngest Strikers, highlighted by three straight wins over Casey Demons, Boroondara Express and Peninsula Waves.

Kain – a former Ballarat Grammar boarding student – seized her chance to try out for the Strikers ahead of her move this year to Bendigo, where she is studying occupational therapy at La Trobe University.

She declared the opportunity to join an exciting and fresh VNL program as one “too good to pass up”.

“It’s an exciting club and sounded like a place I wanted to be to further develop my netball,” Kain said.

“I was pretty rapt to make the team.

“It has been a really good transition into Strikers – the coaching has been fantastic and it’s just a whole new level of development for me.

“Anything I need, there is always someone there to help out. It’s a really welcoming and family-type club.”

Kain, who can play multiple positions in defence, but prefers goal keeper, is no stranger to elite pathways.

She is a former member of the WestVic Academy program and has represented Central Highlands at the Netball Victoria State Titles and the Ballarat Football Netball League at interleague level.

While not a part of the Strikers’ exciting debut season in 2024, Kain said it was hard not to think the vibe around the club was even stronger this year, especially with the championship and 23-and-under teams both starting the season with two straight victories and the VNL Reserves team holding its own in its first season in that competition.

“I think the championship girls especially are set for a big season,” she said.

“Until (last Sunday), the development team had a good run going, pulling off three straight wins.

“We have a really nice bunch of girls. I didn’t know any of them until joining the Strikers, but I’m loving being around them and can honestly say I have made a few really good new friends.”

The Strikers, whose squads comprise netballers from the length and breadth of Victoria – from Wodonga, Shepparton and Echuca to Geelong and Ararat and plenty of towns in between – have been quick to embrace their development squad goal keeper.

Kain revealed one high-profile championship player in particular – with an outstanding netball pedigree – had graciously taken her under her wing.

“Zoe Davies has been incredible,” she said in reference to the club’s vice-captain, who previously plied her trade in the Suncorp Super Netball league with Magpies and English Super League with Leeds Rhinos, and is one of the most decorated players in VNL history.

“She is obviously a defender, but she is always offering me advice and helping me out when I need it.

“She always gives you positive advice, but also some constructive criticism.

“Watching her play, she is definitely someone to look up to.”

Having worked her way into a VNL squad for the first time, Kain acknowledged 2025 shaped as one of the most important to date in her netball development.

“Wins are good, but as long as we are getting better and improving together as individuals and as a team, that will be a success,” she said.

Kain – originally from Mortlake – hopes she can translate many of the positives from her Strikers experience into a big season for her BFNL club.

The Burra have ushered in a new era with the appointment of Kiya Eberle as A-grade coach and will be aiming to improve on last year’s 6-9-1 season and a rare finals miss.

“Last year just wasn’t our season, missing out on finals, but you could see we were developing as a team,” Kain said.

“Being my first season (at Sebastopol), I was just fitting into the team, so I was just finding my feet.

“I am really looking forward to the season. We have a new coach, a few recruits and have a few junior girls stepping up into our A-grade team, so we are capable of improving.”

Heading the recruits at the Burra is former Ballan A-grade netballer Sophie Kurzman, perhaps best known as an Australian lawn bowls representative.