Written by Amelia Barnes
Gippsland Stars is one of three new clubs joining the new-look Victorian Netball League in 2024, and one of three regionally based clubs alongside the returning Geelong Cougars and fellow newcomers Bendigo Strikers.
The club will initially field a 23&Under team before entering the Championship division by 2027.
With a focus on developing local talent, Gippsland Stars has looked to those with prior VNL experience, as well as star athletes from local leagues, to complete their first VNL team.
“Providing development and a pathway for Gippsland netballers has been one of the defining reasons for creating this program and it has been amazing to see some of the top players in the region for the age groups keen to get involved,” said Gippsland Stars chief executive Daniel Heathcote.
The Stars will host their first match on 17 April during Round 7 when they take on Casey Demons at Bellbird Park Indoor Centre in Drouin, West Gippsland.
23&Under Athletes
Gippsland Stars have recruited several athletes with playing experience across the VNL’s former 19&U and Division 1 grades including Myah Healey, Ava Gaul, and Anna Solomon (Casey Demons); Lucy McKellar (Hawks Netball); Chloe Radford and Sophie Lecchino (Wilson Storage Southern Saints); Hollie Bugeja (Ariels); and Alison Dwyer (Melbourne University Lightning).
Myah Healey (GS) is a key signing for the team, providing a strong and tall target under the post. The accurate left-handed shooter brings three years of VNL experience to the side, including a standout 2021 rookie season for Casey Demons where she won the club’s 19&U Best and Fairest Award. Healey is also a talented basketballer who currently plays in the NBL1.
Healey will lead the goal circle alongside four up and coming athletes who have shone in local leagues: Sophie Lecchino and Brooke de Riter from the Gippsland League; Emma Felsovary from the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League; and 16-year-old Charlize Traumanis from Ellinbank & District Football League.
Ava Gaul (C/WA) will provide a formidable presence in the midcourt with her quick thinking and footwork that saw her make the 2023 Gippsland League A Grade team of the year at WA.
Gaul will team up with Paris Dunkley (C/WA) – cousin of Lara Dunkley – who returns to Victoria after playing in Queensland’s Sapphire Series in 2023, and Charlize Bird and Hollie Bugeja who both won the 2023 Gippsland League premiership with Moe.
The Stars wasted no time in securing an exciting defensive line-up spearheaded by their first ever signing, Anna Solomon (GK/GD/WD). Solomon’s athleticism will be complemented by the leadership of Alison Dwyer (GD/GK), and Lucy McKellar who provides flexibility across all three defensive positions.
Versatile midcourter Chloe Radford will continue her connection with Solomon after both representing Morwell in the Gippsland League
Keep an eye on the young Jayde Parsons, who will be part of the Stars’ VNL team in addition to their development teams, placing runner up in the A Grade Best and Fairest award.
Coaches
Jo Ballinger will officially lead Gippsland Stars as the team’s first ever head coach. She is the current Gippsland Sports Academy Netball coach, in addition to holding coaching roles with the Gippsland League representative sides, and A Grade coach at Sale Football Netball Club.
Ballinger also has VNL coaching experience as a former assistant at Hawks Netball.
“Jo has a wealth of VNL experience in her assistant coaching role with Hawks which will be a key to starting up the Stars netball program,” said Daniel
“Jo has a passion for developing players on and off the court and has a strong team culture focus. She is passionate about the Gippsland region and will place a high emphasis on supporting and the skill development of the players.”
Ballinger will be supported by Stacie Gardiner who assumes the Stars’ assistant coach role.
A former VNL Championship division player with Peninsula Waves, Gardiner is one of the most decorated senior netballers in Gippsland.
“Her VNL experience with pre-elite programs and her ability to work with our players will be vital to the Stars program in 2024,” Heathcote said.
Gardiner also has a strong local coaching background as a premiership coach in the Gippsland League with Drouin Netball Club. She was named the Gippsland League A Grade coach of the year in 2023.
Gippsland Stars 2024 23&Under Squad
Ava Gaul
Alison Dwyer
Anna Solomon
Brooke de Riter
Charlize Bird
Charlize Traumanis
Chloe Radford
Emma Felsovary
Hollie Bugeja
Jayde Parsons
Lucy McKellar
Myah Healey
Paris Dunkley
Sophie Lecchino
Head coach: Jo Ballinger
Assistant coach: Stacie Gardiner
Follow @gippslandstars on Instagram
View the 2024 VNL fixture
