STAFF WRITERS
NETBALL
THE Melbourne Vixens are Gippsland-bound, set to descend on Traralgon for two pre-season hit outs against the Adelaide Thunderbirds this weekend.
The matches will be the fans’ first chance to see the Vixens in action ahead of the Suncorp Super Netball season, which begins with a Round 1 clash against the Queensland Firebirds on Sunday, March 27.
The first hit out will be played on Saturday, February 12 at 3.30pm, and the second will take place on Sunday, February 13 at 12pm, both at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium.
The Victorian Men’s League will play a curtain raiser ahead of Saturday’s match. Netball Victoria will host the practice matches and coordinate community activities across the weekend and in schools throughout the school term with support from the state government and Latrobe City Council.
The blockbuster weekend will offer netball fans from across Gippsland opportunities to participate in netball clinics, umpiring and coaching courses, and give kids aged 5-10 years the chance to come and try the sport at a NetSetGO experience.
Melbourne Vixens head coach Simone McKinnis said her players are raring to go in the lead-up to the Suncorp Super Netball season.
“We’re excited to head to Traralgon and get out on court in front of our fans. These matches will be a great opportunity to build our connections on court, test our combinations and really challenge ourselves as a group ahead of Round 1,” she said.
Latrobe City Council Mayor Kellie O’Callaghan said Gippsland was excited to host the pre-season event.
“It’s exciting to welcome Australia’s elite netballers to the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium for this event,” Cr O’Callaghan said.
“Our local community, particularly our younger residents, appreciate the opportunity to experience the game first-hand and be inspired by their favourite players.”
