Local netballers added to VIS scholarship program

A HANDFUL of netballers with local connections to the region have been offered spots to the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) for 2025 through athlete scholarships.

The program, which is run by the VIS, is designed to gift up-and-coming Victorian netballers a leg up in their playing development with access to high-performance resources and equipment.

Netballers Mia Aitken (St Mary’s/Geelong Cougars), Tully Bethune (Birregurra/Geelong Cougars), Charli Hoey (Geelong West/Geelong Cougars), Charli Nicol (formerly Queenscliff/Geelong Cougars) and Geelong Netball League premiership player Mia van Wyk (Newtown & Chilwell/Southern Saints) all earned a place in the 2025 intake.

VIS scholarship holders not only get access to experts in performance nutrition, performance psychology, performance lifestyle and athlete wellbeing, strength and conditioning, sports medicine and physiotherapy within a high-performance facility, but also elite level coaching.

Supplementary to the Netball Victoria pathway, the VIS and Netball Victoria have worked in partnership to help build a successful program coached by former Melbourne Kestrels and Melbourne Vixens player, Elissa Kent.

“The VIS development program plays a crucial role in enhancing the pathway talent within Victoria,”Kent said.

“By aligning closely with Netball Victoria and Netball Australia, we ensure that our athletes receive tailored support that addresses their individual needs, focusing on holistic development, utilising the specialised resources at the Victorian Institute of Sport to nurture both athletic performance and personal growth.

“Our aim is to prepare these young athletes, not just for the next step in their netball journey, but for life beyond the sport.

“Ensuring they emerge as both exceptional competitors and well-rounded individuals.”

For more information on the VIS, head to vis.org.au