The 2018 Victorian Fury squad has been named, with 15 of Victoria’s most exciting emerging netball talent selected to train and aim for team selection come February.
The Victorian Fury is the state’s representative team in the Australian Netball League (ANL) – the feeder competition for the country’s most elite netball league – Suncorp Super Netball.
The Fury is an important part of the Netball Victoria Athlete Pathway program, which helps identify and develop athletes, and is closely aligned with the Melbourne Vixens.
All four 2018 Vixens training partners: Lara Dunkley; Tayla Honey; Jacqui Newton; and Rahni Samason, form part of the Fury list, with the ANL competition providing them critical experience as they develop their skills at a senior level.
Fury Head Coach, Leesa Gallard said the alignment of the ANL and Suncorp Super Netball is beneficial to the development of athletes.
“Each year the Fury program aims to provide development opportunities and a really strong training environment for future Suncorp Super Netball and Vixens athletes to thrive,” said Gallard.
“We are excited to see some very talented athletes progressing through from our underage programs this year after strong national campaigns. It’s pleasing to see them put their hand up and challenge themselves,” said Gallard.
2018’s selection was a tough process, with two 2017 Fury members selected in the squad.
The athletes went through a series of trials, which involved a mix of match play and skill sessions, providing an opportunity for the athletes to work with high performance coaches.
Gallard said Victorian netball is in good standing with the amount of talent coming through.
“After a very successful year for Victorian netball on the national stage, and possibly one of the strongest VNL seasons that we’ve seen, it was a tough task for the selectors,” said Gallard.
“With ten of the 15 athletes 21 years or under, Victorian netball is in a great position right now.”
The Fury squad will begin training in December, with the final team announced in February.
2018 Victorian Fury Squad
(Name / VNL Club / SSN Club*)
Allie Smith (Geelong Cougars)
Ally O’Connor (ACU Sovereigns)
Brooke Allan (Geelong Cougars)
Casey Adamson (ACU Sovereigns)
Gabrielle Dwyer (Peninsula Waves)
Gabrielle Sinclair (Melbourne University Lightning)
Jane Cook (City West Falcons/ Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Jordan Cransberg (Melbourne University Lightning)
Kaitlyn Black (DC North East Blaze)
Mikaela Vaughan (Melbourne University Lightning/ NSW Swifts)
Molly Jovic (City West Falcons)
Prudence (Rudi) Ellis (City West Falcons)
Ramayer Gourley (Ariels)
Sacha McDonald (ACU Sovereigns)
Tahnysha Salanoa (City West Falcons)
2018 Melbourne Vixens Training Partners
(Name / 2017 Club)
Jacqui Newton (City West Falcons)
Lara Dunkley (Boroondara Express)
Rahni Samason (Wilson Storage Southern Saints)
Tayla Honey (Geelong Cougars)
*If applicable
