When Kaylia Stanton was recruited by the Melbourne Vixens at the end of 2020 after seven seasons with the West Coast Fever, the move east coincided with the end of the 26-year-old’s studies for a double degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion at Perth’s Curtin University.
Having signed with the reigning Suncorp Super Netball champions, Stanton was on the hunt for part-time work in her new state. The versatile shooter was not to know then that, following an application and interview process, both elements of the dual role she would be playing would be with Netball Victoria itself.
The two positions no longer vacant: as GA/GS, which was filled so admirably last year by the now-retired Caitlin Thwaites; and as a Diversity and Inclusion Co-ordinator for 19 hours each week at state HQ.
“To be able to put my studies into practice is really exciting,’’ says Stanton, acknowledging the difficulty for many new graduates to find work, and in particular for a professional athlete needing flexibility to juggle training, competition and travel demands.
Her "day" job is aligned with Sport and Recreation Victoria’s “Together More Active’’ program, and specifically designed to increase access and participation opportunities in Netball Victoria’s non-traditional priority groups: Aboriginal Victorians, the LGBTIQ+ community and people with a disability.
The latter will be a particular focus for Stanton, who has done some volunteer work in the field previously. She is also enthusiastic about assisting with the return of Marie Little Shield carnival for women with an intellectual disability which was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
“To be able to provide them with an opportunity to connect and communicate and to do that through sport, as well, to increase their physical activity or even just their social skills is something I’m really looking forward to - and being able to see the smiles on their faces from interacting with netball, because it’s such an amazing game, so to be able to get everyone to play it is exceptional,’’ says Stanton.
“Netball for all” is how she likes to describe the philosophy, for ability and background are irrelevant, the netball community is vast and welcoming, and the sense of belonging it provided during her childhood in WA had such a positive impact on her own wellbeing.
“Netball was such a great place for me to meet new friends, to engage with people of all different ages, and find a real voice for myself,’’ Stanton says.
“I had a huge amount of fun playing netball growing up and I want to be able to share that with kids coming through the pathway as well; to be able to promote the sport as a whole, but also express that it doesn’t matter what level you’re playing at you can still give it your all, and it’s about doing your best.
“Whether that’s Marie Little Shield from a state team perspective, or whether it’s just trying out netball for the first time, I think that’s what I want to be able to give back. And particularly from my own experience as a goaler, maybe I can try and get them shooting better. I don’t know - we’ll see how we go!’’
Inclusiveness, too, has been a theme of her early months with the Vixens, where Stanton and upgraded training partner Ruby Barkmeyer will fill the shoes of mum-to-be Thwaites and club games and goals record-holder Tegan Philip alongside spearhead Mwai Kumwenda in 2021.
Last week’s trip to Sydney for practice matches against the Swifts, Giants and Lightning involved not just the shortest flight to a game that the Perth native can remember, but was a rare opportunity to engage with the full Vixens squad after a pre-season affected by Diamonds and 21/U commitments plus the delayed returns and quarantine requirements for international duo Kumwenda and Kadie-Ann Dehaney.
“It’s been quite chaotic, everyone’s been on different paths, but it all leads back to the team goal, which is back-to-back championships,’’ says Stanton, who will face her former team in the grand final rematch at John Cain Arena on 1 May.
“Everyone has been so, so welcoming and I say that with such sincerity. The last three months have absolutely flown by... For me to have been welcomed into this team so warmly it’s incredibly humbling and I’m just really excited being here and being able to play with the girls off the back of last year’s success.
“The mentality that Simone’s put to me is that Vixens just get on with the job, and that’s what I try to run with, as well ... whatever the opportunity happens to be. I’ve said to some of the girls that whatever my position is within the team, whether that’s on the court or on the bench, I want to play that really well and I want to contribute as much as I possibly can.’’
A disappointing 2020 with limited minutes, played in the SSN hub in faraway Brisbane, culminated with the former Australian 21/U and Fast5 representative not being offered a contract for an eighth season with the Fever, before a Victorian lifeline was offered, and grasped.
“I had probably more of a difficult year than I’ve mentioned or said publicly,'' Stanton admits.
"Last year was such an uncertain year in terms of netball - no-one really knew or could tell you how long we were going to be away for, and there were so many unexpected things that kind of came up. So, for me, I’m just really looking forward to getting back out there and playing some netball.''
Written by Linda Pearce
