NETBALL – ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
THE Gippsland Stars are off to a stellar start as the inaugural Gippsland Victorian Netball League team hosted its first entire club session back in November.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is this VNL team, but the work at the Stars is well underway this off-season.
The coaching, committee and playing group all met to discuss the path forward for season 2024.
That night, Ruby Pratt was announced as the development assistant coach. A Gippsland local, Pratt has had an extensive career at Drouin in the Gippsland League, coaching the Drouin A Grade side alongside fellow Stars coach Stacie Gardiner, Pratt has been proven and tested in the coaching seat. Having also coached Gippsland League representative sides in the All-Stars competition, the future of the VNL development side could not be in better hands.
The off-the-court team made their introductions to the club. Jodi Galea introduced herself as the VNL committee chair, Carlie Dwyer as the operations manager, Luana Brock as the club development officer, and Daniel Heathcoate as the Stars’ chief executive.
The coaching philosophy at the Stars will be all about being supportive and inclusive to foster an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
The wellbeing of the young athletes will be a key priority of the Stars, alongside building a strong sense of team and pride in Gippsland.
The 23 and Under side and the 19 and Under side have already hit the track running, with preseason training beginning mid-November.
The focus for the Stars during the preseason will be fitness first, followed by strength and conditioning, match play, and team bonding.
Expect these young athletes to hit the gym and train hard to prepare themselves for their exciting first season with the Stars in the VNL.
Gippsland’s first-ever VNL season fixture released
THE 2024 Victorian Netball League fixture is out.
With a new-look competition and some new clubs in the mix, the upcoming VNL season will be an exciting one to watch.
The action starts on Wednesday, March 6, with the newly-formed Gippsland Stars travelling to the State Hockey Centre for their first six games.
Gippsland Stars will take on North East Blaze to begin their inaugural season.
In the following week, the Bendigo Strikers (also newly-formed) will meet its regional counterpart in the Stars at the State Centre. Round 3 will see the Stars take on the Hawks, a VNL side with close links to Gippsland.
The following week, the Stars will go head-to-head with City West Falcons on March, 27 again in Melbourne.
Next up to play the young talent from Gippsland will be the Geelong Cougars in Round 5 and then Melbourne University Lightning in Round 6.
Bringing VNL action down to Gippsland, the Stars will play their first-ever home game against Casey at Bellbird Park, Drouin on April 17.
Back in Melbourne for Round 8, the Stars will play the Southern Saints.
Heading over to Frankston for the first time, the Stars will then take on the Peninsula Waves.
Round 10 sees the Stars lock horns with the Western Warriors, and then the following week, Gippsland will play the City West Falcons – again at the State Hockey Netball Centre.
In Round 12, the Stars will travel to Frankston to get through the Boroondara Express which will make for an interesting battle.
Heading toward the end of the season, with Round 13 to 17 in Melbourne, the Stars will have some tough competition.
The schedule goes Bendigo Strikers (R13), then North East Blaze (R14), Western Warriors (R15), Hawks (R16) and then Melbourne University Lightning (R17).
To close out the Stars inaugural home and away season, the Gippsland team will play closer to home in Casey against the Demons.
