THERE are plenty of premiership winners in the Bendigo Strikers inaugural squad that\u2019s competing in next year\u2019s Victorian Netball League.<\/p>\n
Five clubs from across central and northern Victoria are represented in the Championship Division squad of 11 announced on Friday by Strikers president Melinda Keighran.<\/p>\n
A talented line-up includes Sandhurst clubmates Heather Oliver, Charlotte and Imogen Sexton, Ruby Turner and Meg Williams.<\/p>\n
Also keen to make their mark with the Strikers will be Kangaroo Flat\u2019s Ash Ryan, Chelsea Sartori and Milly Wicks.<\/p>\n
Strikers\u2019 coach Tracey Brereton and the recruiting team also signed up Tongala\u2019s Milly Brock, Rochester\u2019s Teal Hocking, and Bridget Furphy from Moama who is now at Bell Park.<\/p>\n
Wicks will be a VNL rookie, but is surrounded by team-mates who have racked up many matches in the league which is played on Wednesday night and begins in March.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a quality team with a mix of local, out of town, and Victorian Netball League experience,\u201d Keighran said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir ability to mix it at the top is so exciting for us. A goal is to play some games at Red Energy Arena in Bendigo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keighran said the VNL experience would be a huge plus for all Strikers players and their clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great opportunity for the top netballers from across central and northern Victoria to train in Bendigo and play against many of the best in Victoria,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Strikers coach Tracey Brereton said the squad was finalised after a series of fitness tests at Latrobe University Bendigo.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have 11 quality athletes, and quality people with a mindset to keep improving whilst achieving,\u201d Brereton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe this team has a great mix of experience and enthusiasm and a strong connection to our region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pre-season training for the Strikers will be on Wednesday nights.<\/p>\n
Key off-court players for the club include Patrick Blood at Latrobe University, and Jake Pallpratt from Healthy Mates.<\/p>\n
The Bendigo Strikers championship squad are: Milly Brock – Tongala, Bridget Furphy – Bell Park, Teal Hocking – Rochester, Heather Oliver, Imogen Sexton, Charlotte Sexton, Ruby Turner, Meg Williams – Sandhurst, Milly Wicks, Ash Ryan, Chelsea Sartori – Kangaroo Flat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THERE are plenty of premiership winners in the Bendigo Strikers inaugural squad that\u2019s competing in next year\u2019s Victorian Netball League. Five clubs from across central and northern Victoria are represented in the Championship Division squad of 11 announced on Friday by Strikers president Melinda Keighran. A talented line-up includes Sandhurst clubmates Heather Oliver, Charlotte and […]<\/p>\n