NETBALL
GIPPSLAND STARS
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
THE 19 and Under Gippsland Stars were crowned champions of the State Super Netball Eastern Conference after defeating Casey Demons 53 to 50 at the Waverley Netball Centre.
The Gippsland girls came from fourth position on the ladder, facing some hardened competition to come out on top that included a nail-biting one-goal win over North East Blaze in the semi-final.
The winning squad included player of the match Lexis Schade, as well as Montana Styles, Anna Mooney, Ruby Brosnan, Georgia Hamilton, Mackenna Whiteside, Lainey Downie, Tyla Peters, Chloe Felsbourg, Audrey McGannon, Jayde Parsons, Annabel Sheppard, Maddison Fullgrabe, Molly Heber, and Reagan Joyce.
The VNL handed out their awards for season 2024, which included a handful of local talent stretched across Victorian netball.
Moe premiership player Isabella Hodgson (Boroondara Express) was selected to the Championship VNL Team of the Year playing in attack.
Moe’s Olivia Barnett was represented in the 23 and Under VNL Team of the Year for her strong defensive season for the winning Hawks.
IN other news, Gippsland Stars shooter Charlize Traumanis (Drouin) was selected to the 19 and Under Victorian state team ahead of the 2025 National Netball Championships.
Trial dates for the Gippsland Stars 2025 campaign for both the 23 and Under VNL team and the 19 and Under development side have been announced upon a successful introductory season in the Victorian Netball League.
The player screening trials for both sides will be held on August 25 and invited player trials on August 30, both at Stockdale Road Stadium, Traralgon.
Current and new players are welcome to register at: gippslandstars.com.au/become-a-star.html
Gippsland Stars also intend to introduce a VNL Championship side (open age) and 17 and Under development team in 2025, and will be sending out EOI forms for such with trials for the development side held at a later date.
