Gippsland Stars is preparing to bounce back after a 12th place finish to both VNL teams in 2026.
The Championship team has increased their depth and welcomed back some star local talent.
There’s been a big shakeup in the 23&Under side, with plenty of new places elevated from the club’s 2025 19&Under side.
Championship athletes
2025 VNL finish: 12th
In: Sam Silvester (North East Blaze), Abby Williams (Peninsula Waves), Abbey Barrientos, Keighley Starrett (Hawks Netball), Jordan Pyle (Wilson Storage Southern Saints), Hollie Bugeja (elevated from 23&Under)
Returning: Sally Deller, Stacie Gardiner, Katie Fone, Sophie Lecchino (elevated from training partner), Alison Dwyer (elevated from training partner), Shannon Blackman, Daisy Hill, Akayla Peterson, Ramayer Keilty
Out: Taylah Wallace, Alarha Arnason (23&Under), Hannah Kuhar, Karli Foster
2025 was a tough first year for Gippsland Stars’ Championship team who struggled to find rhythm in goals following an ACL injury to Daisy Hill (GS/GA) post Round 5, and missing Stacie Gardiner (GA/GS/WA) from Round 8 due to pregnancy. The club were sitting 6th on the ladder in their inaugural Championship season after a draw and two close wins in the early rounds but dropped to last place by season’s end.
Both Hill and Gardiner are poised to return this season alongside shooter Sam Silvester who joins from North East Blaze and has many years of Championship division experience. Silvester shot 505 goals at 89% with Blaze in 2025.
Also new to Stars’ shooting circle is Abby Williams (WA/GA) from Peninsula Waves 23&Under team who has previous State Team and Championship division experience. She delivers extra speed and depth that Stars lacked in 2025.
Ramayer Keilty (née Gourley) can also step into goals, as shown with Stars in 2025, and by winning a spot in the Gippsland League Team of the Year at GA in 2024 and GK in 2025. After starting the 2025 VNL season in GK, Keilty slotted 182 goals at 82% across the season, earning her the club’s Shooting Star award. She will also act as the team’s specialist coach in 2026.
Sophie Lecchino officially joins the shooting circle from being a training partner in 2025. She made her Championship debut in Round 11 and took the court on eight occasions.
Stars will benefit from a stable midcourt headlined by the team’s 2025 Best and Fairest winner Shannon Blackman. Blackman can cover all three midcourt positions and has a great netball brain shown in her first year coaching Darley in the Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL). Blackman led Darley’s A grade side to a premiership as dual player-coach and won the league’s Coach of the Year Award.
Blackman will be well supported by new face Keighley Starrett (C/WA) from Hawks Netball, who finished runners up in the VNL Championship division in 2025.
Abbey Barrientos is another new midcourter who also brings valuable VNL experience.
Katie Fone will again provide strong cover across all three midcourt positions.
Hollie Bugeja (WD/C/WA) has officially stepped up to the club’s Championship level team following another big year in the Gippsland League with Moe winning a third consecutive premiership.
In the defence end, Sally Deller (GD/GK) is preparing for a big season after winning the team’s Coaches MVP award in 2025.
Deller will again link up with her Bairnsdale teammate from the Gippsland League, Alison Dwyer, who has been elevated from training partner.
Re-signed Akayla Peterson (GD/GK) is looking fit after an injury-affected 2025. “Akayla Peterson has huge potential and not having to share commitments with VFLW she should be one of our key players in defence,” said Gippsland Stars general manager Daniel Heathcote. “She was one of our best in defence early and played the last half of the season injured.”
Jordan Pyle (GD/WD/GK) is new to Stars this year from Wilson Storage Southern Saints. She already has great connections with the team, especially Keilty, from playing together in Moe’s premiership winning team.
“We expect the team to be very competitive next season,” said Heathcote.
23&Under athletes
2025 VNL finish: 12th
In: Amber Holt, Mia Williams, Lara Noblett (elevated from 19&Under) Lexis Schade (elevated from 19&Under), Lainey Downie (elevated from 19&Under), Matilda Pendergast (elevated from 19&Under), Tyla Peters (elevated from 19&Under) Chloe Felsbourg (elevated from 19&Under), Alahna Arnason (Championship)
Returning: Jayde Parsons, Kate Montgomery, Anna Solomon, Anna Mooney, Grace Van Tilburg
Out: Paris Dunkley, Mackenzie Fort, Myah Healey, Chelsea Bowman, Ruby Brosnan, Chloe Radford, Hollie Bugeja (elevated to Championship), Lucy McKellar, Annabel Sheppard (North East Blaze), Charlize Traumanis (Hawks Netball)
There’s been a lot of movement in Gippsland Stars’ 23&Under team with the club rewarding many of its 2025 19&Under athletes with VNL contracts.
The club had an inconsistent 23&Under roster last year due to several players being rotated through Championship level to cover injuries. “There were a lot of key players pulled in and out of the team which didn’t help with continuity,” said Heathcote. “Moving forward, we are focusing on developing a successful program long term and have prioritised youth and players we think have Championship potential to lead the 23&Under program.”
Jayde Parsons (GD/WD) is the player to watch, after claiming the team’s Best and Fairest and Coaches MVP awards in 2025. She was also nominated for Rookie of the Year in the Gippsland League in 2025.
Re-signed Anna Solomon (GK/GD/WD) will also provide consistency in the defence end and experience from captaining Victoria's First Nations team.
Circle defender Amber Holt has officially signed with the team after training with the squad in 2025. She brings energy and a springy leap to the court.
Defender Tyla Peters has been elevated from Stars’ 2025 19&Under team who were the State Super Netball Series 19U premiers. She will play across both the 23&Under and Reserves teams this season.
In the goaling end, Grace Van Tilburg (GA/GS) is prepped for a big season after fully recovering from a 2024 knee injury and gaining 2025 Championship experience.
She’ll again link up with fellow predominant goal attack Anna Mooney, who can alternatively play in the midcourt. Mooney also made her Championship VNL debut in 2025.
A similarly versatile attacker is Mia Williams who joins Stars this year and has previously played VNL for Peninsula Waves. “She will be a key player for us in the GA/WA role,” said Heathcote.
Stars has also elevated two shooters from their State Super Netball Series 19U premiership team, starting with tall 17-year-old Lara Noblett. Noblett was recognised as best on court in the State Super Netball Series grand final, shooting 30 goals at 96% accuracy.
Chloe Felsbourg tied for the Stars 19&Under 2025 Coaches MVP award and will play across both the 23&Under team and Reserves side in 2026.
Alahna Arnason has moved from Gippsland Stars’ Championship side to help lead this young goaling line. She was named Best and Fairest of Meeniyan Dumbalk’s A Grade team who won the Mid Gippsland Football Netball League premiership.
Re-signed athlete Kate Montgomery will guide the midcourt in her third VNL season. She showed her versatility in 2025 playing across all three midcourt positions.
Joining her are three midcourters elevated from Stars’ 2025 19&Under team: Lexis Schade, Lainey Downie, and Stars’ 2025 19&Under MVP Matilda Pendergast.
Coaches
To ensure a cohesive program, Stars have appointed Karen Meredith as the club’s VNL head coach covering both the Championship and 23&Under teams. “Having her in the program across both teams gives us a clear path for the direction and game plan delivery,” said Heathcote. “It also will help develop the up-and-coming players to be ready for Championship level netball.”
Dual athlete-coach Stacie Gardiner will continue as Championship team’s assistant/team coach, and Ramayer Keilty as specialist coach.
Stars new 23&Under assistant coach is Mandy Hopkins who has been around Stars and has VNL coaching experience. “We were keen to get her involved on a permanent basis in 2026,” said Heathcote. “Working with Karen they will be a perfect pair to help develop our young group.”
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