The Ariels 2020 season has well and truly begun, after a gruelling pre-season camp on the weekend to test the athletes ahead of round one.
The Ariels have been very active during the off-season under the new Championship coach Tim Smith, adding 17 new athletes to the Open squad, including experienced Championship athletes along with talented Division One youth looking to crack into the main show.
Coach Tim Smith said the main aim for the Ariels this year is to build on the improvements of 2019 and execute a brand of netball that will compete against all teams in the competition.
“Ariels have, for the first time in many years, retained its talented youth with the likes of State team GS/GA Emily Andrew spearheading the 19 & Under team and showing exciting potential for the young list in years to come,” Smith said.
The Ariels welcome three 19 & Under debutants to the squad, with four brand new training partners who have made their mark in their respective school squads. Having just missed out on finals and a top four finish in 2019, the 19 & Under side will be out to seek redemption. They are hoping new recruits, Paige Bramley from Melbourne University Lightning and Olivia May from Hawks Netball will inject something new to the team following a positive preseason.
Brooke George joins the Ariels family as the Division One coach, bringing a wealth of on court VNL experience on top of her coaching accreditations. Steph Norton will return to build on the successful 2019 campaign, while former Melbourne Vixen, Ashlee Howard will oversee the development of the squads as a specialist goaling coach.
Finishing in ninth and tenth position in 2019, the Open Championship and Division One teams will be looking to catapult into success in their 2020 season. Having spent twelve months on the sidelines with a ruptured ACL, former Vixens training partner, 2018 Australian Netball League MVP and Victorian Fury player, Rahni Samason has made the move to Ariels from Peninsula Waves and will provide Ariels with a focus point under the post, something that it has missed in recent times. The recruitment window has been busy for the Ariels’ senior sides as Beth Chiuchiarell and Olivia Morris are also making the move from Hawks Netball.
Sisters, Emma and Maddison Wallmeyer remain inseparable once again after reuniting in 2019 and have switched from Boroondara Express. Maddi ended her striking season last year by taking out the Division One Most Valuable Player at the Bupa VNL Awards Night and will be itching to showcase what she’s made of in the Ariels Championship side.
The Ariels will battle the Wilson Storage Southern Saints in round 1 on Friday 27 March at Mentone Grammar from 7pm.
