Community strikes for local VNL team

BENDIGO business and community members have come together to form the Bendigo Strikers, a new netball team that has applied for a place in the Victorian Netball League next year.

Following a recent review VNL administrators decided to increase the number of teams in the competition from 10 to 12 with nine metro and three regional sides.

Strikers board member Teigan Redwood said the chance created with the league’s expansion was too good to pass up and an experienced board was put together for a bid.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our local and regional netball community to have the option to pursue an elite netball pathway without the added restraint of expense, time and travel to train and compete in Melbourne multiple nights a week,” she said.

“We have assembled a great group of people who bring together skills in governance, finance, sponsorship, marketing, league and administrative experience, and coaching, athlete and umpire development.”

Former Australian Diamond and Melbourne Vixen player Caitlin Thwaites has also come on board as the club’s ambassador.

Thwaites said a local VNL team would increase the chances of regional players and coaches to excel, and community support will help get the bid over the line.

“Having a Bendigo-based team in the VNL will go a long way to increasing pathway opportunities for regional Vic athletes, coaches and umpires,” she said.

“The support from the local community is also key and having already set up some great partnerships, I’m sure this will be a great foundation to grow a successful team that can give back to the community as well.

“It is an exciting time and opportunity to have a strong netball presence and to really build momentum in the lead-up to Bendigo hosting netball for the Commonwealth Games.”

A decision on the bid is expected sometime in late August.