Boroondara Express’ Championship team has welcomed a new coach in Kath Knott and several fresh faces as some longtime players embark on new work and netball opportunities. Melbourne Vixens training partner Zali Anderson will lead by example in this relatively new look side, alongside the potential VNL return of Emily Andrew (UK Netball Super League) towards the end of the season.
The 23&Under team will benefit from a stable goaling and midcourt lineup as they build their defensive power.
Championship athletes
2025 VNL finish: 2nd in regular season, 3rd in finals
In: Kirsty Clark (Hawks Netball), Alex Moody (Wilson Storage Southern Saints), Tiahnee Farrell (Wilson Storage Southern Saints), Georgia Hernan – training partner, Emily Andrew (UK Netball Super League), Renee Pilkington, Leila Simpson (elevated from Boroondara Express 23&Under), Ally Black (elevated from Boroondara Express 23&Under)
Returning: Taylah Brown, Sarah Szczykulski, Ruby Pekin-Schlicht, Zali Anderson, Isabelle Hodgson, Naomi Fitzpatrick – training partner
Out: Sophie Hennessey (Casey Demons), Zanna Woods (North East Blaze), Casey Adamson (SSN), Alice Astbury, Olivia Morris, Ruby Barkmeyer, Sophie Shoebridge, Tallulah Lewis
2025 was another strong season for Boroondara Express who finished second in the regular season and third in finals after losing the Preliminary Final by six to eventual premiers City West Falcons.
They have signed several new players for 2026 to fill gaps in experience vacated by longtime players, including Casey Adamson (2025 VNL MVP) who has earned an SSN contract with GIANTS Netball, and former Melbourne Vixen Ruby Barkmeyer who is stepping back from the VNL for work commitments.
The midcourt is in safe hands with 2026 Melbourne Vixens training partner Zali Anderson who can play across all three positions. “Zali is a dynamic midcourt athlete, with speed, agility, and high endurance,” said Boroondara Express Championship head coach Kath Knott. “She demonstrates excellent game sense, making smart decisions and anticipating play under pressure.”
2026 Melbourne Vixens Reserves athlete Taylah Brown will be another key player in the midcourt. Already an experienced state-level netballer, Brown is ready to take her game to the next level with newfound opportunities. “We have players who have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes, such as Taylah preparing for moments like this,” said Knott. “We trust our depth, we trust our program, and we’re ready for whoever steps onto the court to deliver.”
Brown and Anderson will partner with Alex Moody (C/WA) who is returning to the club after playing for Wilson Storage Southern Saints. “Alex is fast, agile, and a workhorse. A former State Team representative, she has already built strong connections with her teammates across multiple high-performance programs,” said Knott.
18-year-old Leila Simpson (WD/C) has been elevated from the club’s 23&Under side after a standout 2025 season. “Leila brings strength, mobility, and a high work ethic,” said Knott. “She has earned her elevation through consistent performances and is ready to make an impact at the next level.”
Isabelle Hodgson will lead the way in the goal circle as the team’s captain and most experienced shooter. She has been selected in the Melbourne Vixens Reserves team for a third year running and was named in the 2025 Championship VNL Team of the Year. “Bella has been working hard throughout pre-season and is set to take her game to another level in 2026, said Knott. Tall, strong, and clever, she brings a commanding presence in the goal ring, able to hold space and outmanoeuvre defenders.”
The team has welcomed two new goal attacks in Tiahnee Farrell who returns to Express from Southern Saints, and Ally Black, who has been elevated from the 23&Under side. “Tiahnee (GA/GS) brings height, mobility, accuracy, and real smarts to our attacking end…She has already shown her ability to perform under pressure – in 2023 she stepped up to Championship after Ruby Barkmeyer’s injury just before finals, with her first three games being the finals series,” said Knott.
“Ally Black (GA/WA) is agile, fast, and highly accurate, with the ability to inject speed and spark into our attack end.”
This goaling end will likely be bolstered late in the season by former Melbourne Vixens 11th player Emily Andrew, who is expected to return to the VNL following her season playing in the UK Netball Super League. “Emily trained with us before Christmas,” said Knott. “While a talented player, she is also a great person who suits the culture of our club.”
Georgia Hernan, who can cover both goals and midcourt, has also been signed as a training partner after recovering from an ACL injury. “Georgia Hernan (GA/WA) joins us from the Hawks, bringing flexibility and skill to our attacking end. A strong and confident GA, she is accurate, makes good decisions, and is comfortable with the ball in her hand,” said Knott. “After recovering from an ACL injury, this is her first year back playing, and she adds options to our shooting combinations.”
Boroondara Express has re-signed their experienced defensive partnership in Sarah Szczykulski (GK) and Ruby Pekin-Schlicht (GD/GK). “Sarah Szczykulski is a tall and commanding presence in our defensive end, having been a key anchor over the past couple of years... Her experience, skill, and commitment make her an integral part of our defensive unit,” said Knott.
Ruby Pekin-Schlicht continues to improve, making her second Melbourne Vixens Reserves side in 2026, and recently playing with the Melbourne Vixens in the Ballarat Blitz pre-season competition.
Kirsty Clark (GD/WD/GK) has been recruited from Hawks Netball. “She’s eager to step outside her comfort zone and continue developing her game at this level,” said Knott. “Kirsty is tall, strong, and brings great physical presence, which will complement our defensive end.”
Boroondara Express has also signed Renee Pilkington who can cover both defence and the midcourt. She is a prominent player in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition, who has won the A Grade Best and Fairest award on three occasions. She has also represented Victoria in state and national mixed teams. “Renee is a talented netball player and a great person and has slotted in with the club easily,” said Knott.
Naomi Fitzpatrick will offer additional defensive cover as a training partner.
23&Under athletes
2025 VNL finish: 8th
In: Georgia Shattock (North East Blaze) Tilly Baker (elevated from Boroondara Express Reserves), Amelia Haxby (elevated from Boroondara Express Reserves), Abbey Luttick (elevated from Boroondara Express Reserves), Jayde Hall (Peninsula Waves Reserves), Taylah Werner (Peninsula Waves)
Returning: Abby Hocking, Ava Gaul, Chloe Eyre, Ella Harvey, Henrietta Donoghue, Jemma Whitaker, Millie Van Diemen, Sahara Ball
Out: Lara Stefani, Ally Black (elevated to Boroondara Express Championship), Georgia Courtis (Casey Demons), Jacinta McGinley (North East Blaze), Leila Simpson (elevated to Boroondara Express Championship)
The 23&Under Boroondara Express team peaked towards the end of the 2025 VNL season. With some key returning athletes, and elevations from inside the club, they’re hoping to build on that momentum in 2026.
This team will again benefit from one of the strongest shooting lineups in the 23&Under division including 2025 19/U State Team and 17/U National Squad representative Sahara Ball. The 188cm moving goaler and 2026 Melbourne Vixens Reserves training partner continues to follow in the footsteps of her mum – former Melbourne Kestrels player Meredith Ball (née Strachan), and her aunt – former Australian Diamond Rebecca Bulley – as she rises through the Australian netball pathway. “Sahara has had a standout year in 2025 and has continued to build strongly on her game heading into 2026. She is a powerful and composed player, known for her slick movement on the court and her consistently accurate shooting,” said Boroondara Express 23&Under head coach Stacey Gannon. “Her teamwork and netball IQ are outstanding, and she brings a calm, confident presence to the court that lifts those around her.”
Ball will continue her partnership with vice-captain and predominant goal shooter Henrietta ‘Hetty’ Donoghue.
Re-signed Chloe Eyre is the team’s up and coming goal attack, as a member of 2026 Black Swans squad.
Boroondara Express has recruited Taylah Werner from Peninsula Waves’ Championship team as their new goaler who can also swing into wing attack. “Taylah is an amazing addition to our club. She comes with versatility, speed and accuracy,” said Gannon. “She brings experience from playing in 23s and Championship over the last few years and is already forming strong connections in the goal circle with Hetty, Sahara, and Chloe.”
16-year-old Tilly Baker (GA/GS/WA) has been elevated from Reserves but will play an on off court role as she recovers from an ACL injury.
Another 16-year-old elevated from Reserves is C/WA Amelia Haxby, who played five games at this level throughout 2025. “She has stepped up to the challenge and looks fit, strong and ready to take on any challenge,” said Gannon.
Haxby will join the team’s three re-signed midcourters in versatile Ava Gaul, C/WA Ella Harvey, and WD/C Jemma Whitaker.
In defence, coach Gannon is predicting a big season for GD/WD Abby Hocking. “Her tenacity, elite footwork, and impressive speed make her a formidable presence on the court, and she consistently takes every opportunity to learn, grow, and improve her game,” said Gannon. “Early this year, Abby has already been exposed to higher-level environments, working with the Championship team at various times throughout training sessions. These experiences have further sharpened her on-court smarts and decision making under pressure.”
Millie Van Diemen has also re-signed, and will again cover mostly WD.
Returning to Boroondara Express this season is GK/GD Georgia Shattock after two seasons with North East Blaze. “We are super excited to sign Georgia back with Express. She brings a strong fit body into the defensive circle,” said Gannon.
17-year-old GK/GD Abbey Luttick has been elevated from the Reserves side for her defensive edge. “Her vertical elevation and reach is one for the books,” said Gannon. “She is determined to always improve and is the silent assassin to watch.”
19-year-old GD/WD Jayde Hall has come across from Peninsula Waves where she started in their Reserves team and worked her way into the VNL last season. “She is strong, reads the play and turns ball over with ease,” said Gannon. “Jayde is a versatile player, working inside the defensive circle and alongside the mids on the outside.”
Coaches
There’s been a changing of the guard in Boroondara Express’ coaches with Kath Knott being appointed Championship team head coach. Knott is a former Melbourne Vixens player who has worked throughout the Netball Victoria coaching pathway. She is returning to Boroondara Express’ coaching panel.
Wendy Jacobsen has stepped down as coach director and head coach of Championship but will stay with the club as an athlete/coach mentor and specialist coach, which she combines with Vixens Academy coaching duties
Leesa Gallard has re-signed as the Championship assistant coach.
Stacey Gannon continues in the 23&Under head coach role, joined by new assistant coach Lindy Dowell who has over 20 years coaching experience.
