Boyer buoyed by Strikers’ 23-and-under appointment

BENDIGO Strikers has wasted no time in settling on its new twenty-three-and-under coach, announcing the appointment of experienced netball mentor Fiona Boyer for the 2026 VNL season.

The long-time coach of Ovens and Murray league club North Albury, Boyer brings a wealth of experience on and off the court.

Growing up in Shepparton, she played representative netball for Shepparton and State League netball with Goulburn, before stepping into coaching.

In addition to coaching the Ovens and Murray league Hoppers, Boyer is the head coach of Netball Victoria’s North East Talent Academy.

In 2024, she took on the role of apprentice coach with the Victorian 19-and-under team.

Boyer’s coaching resume includes a long-time association with the North East’s State Titles program and Ovens and Murray interleague team.

She is currently completing her advanced coaching accreditation.

“The board are thrilled to welcome Fiona to the Strikers family and look forward to the impact she will make with our talented 23-and-under group in 2026,” club president Melinda Keighran said.

“Fiona joins our 2026 coaching panel, headed by head coach Tracey Brereton and director of coaching Carol Cathcart.”

Boyer takes over from Brereton and Cathcart, who will focus on their other roles in 2026.

The pair, in partnership with assistant coach Teigan Redwood, guided the Strikers 23-and-unders to a fourth-placed finish at the end of the 2025 home and away season with an impressive 12-5-1 record.

They were unfortunately eliminated in the first week of finals by eventual grand finalists Geelong Cougars, in what was the club’s first ever finals appearance.

A massively improved second season followed just four wins from 22 games in the club’s maiden VNL campaign in 2024.

Highlights of the season included captain Shae Clifford’s league most valuable player (MVP) award win; Clifford and defender Eliza Mooney’s selections in the VNL team of the year; and Mooney and Mackenzie O’Dwyer’s appearance in the Victorian team at this year’s national 19-and-under championships in Sydney.

In one further accolade at the end of the season, defender Harriett Whiteacre was named in the top 25 candidates for a spot in Victoria’s 19-and-under team at next year’s national championships.

Boyer, who also previously coached Tatura in the Goulburn Valley league, was this year inducted into the Ovens and Murray Hall of Fame for her more than 20 years of service to North Albury and the league.

More coaching announcements will follow over the coming weeks.

The Strikers will hold their first trials session this Sunday, August, 24, at 5pm at Catherine McCauley Sporting Precinct in Junortoun.