Young netball squad primed for tournament season

THE BFNL’s 17-and-under representative netball team is locked and loaded for its 2025 campaign following an ultra-competitive selection process.

Selectors have announced a squad of 12 players to represent the league in tournaments this season, with the long-term goal being qualification for this year’s Association Championships finals in Melbourne in June.

The squad, being jointly coached by Sharni McPherson and Alison Leech, is bolstered by three training partners.

McPherson has co-coached the squad the past two seasons alongside Nicole Donnellon, while Leech is a newcomer to the interleague coaching post.

Five of the league’s eight clubs have representation in the squad, including a team-high five from Strathfieldsaye and Golden Square.

Picked from the Storm are Ady Neilson, Chloe Tweed, Eden Pollard, Lexie Fennell and Lucy Paton, while Juliet Hogan, Larni Taylor, Rachael Flood, Tegan McKay and Lily Hope have been picked from the Bulldogs.

They are joined by Gisborne’s Holly Brewer, Sandhurst’s Jaida Raco, Lila Kelly and Maycee Rinaldo, and Kangaroo Flat’s Peyton Chambers.

Hope, Chambers and Rinaldi are the squad’s training partners.

The squad will play lead-up tournaments in Echuca and Bendigo during May and June before contesting the Association Championships qualifiers in Bendigo on Sunday 15 June.

Leech praised the standard of competition throughout the selection process.

“The talent at trials was outstanding,” she said.

“The intensity, commitment and drive shown by all athletes made the selection process extremely difficult, which is a great problem to have.

“We’re incredibly excited by this group – not just for their skill level, but also their willingness to learn, support each other, and represent the BFNL with pride.”

The BFNL finished fifth at last year’s Association Championships, only missing the semi-finals on percentage with a 7-3-1 record.

Tournament schedule:

• Echuca tournament – Sunday 18 May in Echuca.

• CVNA Tournament – Sunday 1 June in Bendigo.

• Netball Victoria Association Championships qualifying – Sunday 15 June in Bendigo.

• Association Championships finals – Sunday 29 June in Melbourne.