Boyer proud to lead Strikers young guns

SLICK midcourter Elise Boyer says she is incredibly humbled and privileged to be appointed as captain of the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under team for the 2026 VNL season.

The 21-year-old was endorsed as leader by her teammates in a player vote.

Fellow midcourter Asha Gray and 2025 best and fairest winner Eliza Mooney were chosen as vice-captains.

All three members of the leadership group are heading into their second seasons with the Strikers.

Boyer, who originally joined the Strikers from rival club Boroondara Express and was a vice-captain last season, said she was extremely proud to be named as the captain.

“It’s really nice to be recognised by my teammates and be trusted by them to be captain of our side,” she said.

“I don’t come to netball seeking to be the captain, but it is nice to be recognised as a leader within the group.

“It’s really exciting. We have a really great bunch of girls and some really talented young girls coming through, who will really develop throughout the year.

“That should hold us in good stead for a good season and hopefully finals.”

Boyer, who hails from Shepparton and plays her local netball with Goulburn Valley league club Tatura, is the third player to be named 23-and-under captain in the club’s short history.

Midcourter Grace Hammond led the team in its inaugural VNL season in 2024 and star midcourter Shae Clifford was captain last season.

Clifford, last season’s league MVP, has been elevated to the Championship team for 2026.

With goal shooter Mia McCrann-Peters joining Clifford in the Championship lineup, Mackenzie O’Dwyer swapping clubs to North East Blaze, Abby Larkin moving to Geelong for study and defender Megan Wilson gone, Boyer will lead a squad of roughly 50 per cent new and returning players.

“It’s exciting to see the new girls stepping in,” Boyer said of the likes of Gisborne pair Emily Miles and Amity Drayton, Sophie Garner, Jasmine Burke and South Bendigo’s Cayde Hayes, who has been a development player in the past.

“The new girls have a really great work ethic and are really pushing everyone.

“The whole cohort of players is looking really fit and have really gelled.”

A measure of the changing dynamics within the team, Boyer, at 21, is the second-oldest player in the group.

After a breakout year in 2025 in which they won 12 and drew one of 18 games and reached the finals for the first time, the new skipper was keen to see how the playing group would respond to the heightened expectations around the Strikers.

“Withing the group last year, we had a really strong connection, which really showed on the court,” Boyer said.

“We enjoyed being around each other and that obviously helped our performances.

“Our coaches did a really great job developing our individual game and our team’s game.

“Hopefully we can continue that on and take another step this season.”

Boyer also praised her two vice-captains.

“Moons and Asha had a great seasons last year on the court, but they are even better off the court,” she said.

“They bring so much to the team and I am looking forward to playing with them again and seeing what they bring to the leadership team.”

Another cause for excitement for the Strikers and Boyer in particular is the emergence of a new coach, with long-time North Albury coach and player and head coach of the Netball Victoria North East Talent Academy Fiona Boyer taking over the reins.

She brings a wealth of experience, including leading the North East region’s State Titles program and Ovens and Murray interleague campaigns.

Coach and captain share a ‘special’ bond as aunty and niece.

“I was very excited when she got named as coach; it’s pretty special to get to play under her,” Elsie said.

“She is just a ball of knowledge and has so much netball goodness in there.

“She’s been awesome and has added a new voice to the coaching team, which has been really nice.

“I know we will all learn so much from her.”