Written by Amelia Barnes
Peninsula Waves are heading into the 2024 season with a new-look Championship lineup.
Most significantly, the club will be looking for a new star shooter after Olivia Wilkinson was picked up by Suncorp Super Netball’s West Coast Fever on a three-year contract. Victorian Fury defender Sussu Liai has also moved to City West Falcons.
A mix of elevated athletes, former Ariels, and rookies will step up to fill the void in Championship, while the 23&Under side features a balance of new and retained talent.
Peninsula Waves offers valuable exposure for Mornington Peninsula athletes to the state’s premier netball competition.
“The new structure will allow VNL to really be an elite pathway where we see the best athletes going head to head,” said Waves administrator Gen Blaze.
In 2024, athletes will benefit from the guidance of netball legend Sue Hawkins who has moved from a part-time role to the head and Championship coach position.
Watch Peninsula Waves play at their new home stadium at Jubilee Park, Frankston during Rounds 4, 9, 12, and 20.
Championship Athletes
Peninsula Waves will step on court in 2024 with an almost entirely new Championship team.
Among them are three athletes who have come through the club’s pathway and have been elevated from the former Division 1 team, starting with shooter Ella Roberton.
“Ella Roberton has been elevated to Championship after a standout year in Division 1. With her elevation and ability as both a holding goaler and a moving goaler with high accuracy, we were quick to lock her down for the next two years,” said Blaze.
Roberton teams up in the goal circle with Kassidy Withers who returns to Waves after playing in the West Australian Netball League (WANL) in 2023. Withers brings energy, experience, and can move into the midcourt if required.
“The moving circle of Ella Roberton and Kassidy Withers looks exciting with their lightning speed and game smarts. Both local and well loved, the athletes work hard and are looking to have already established a great connection and combination in the goaling circle.”
Both Roberton and Withers can play GA out the front of accurate target Emmalia Blake who joins the Waves after multiple years at Ariels.
Agile shooter Abby Gregorovich has also come across from Ariels.
Defender Lyshae Barry is the only player who remains from Waves’ 2024 Championship list. She’ll be joined by April Bethune, who stepped up to Championship level multiple times in 2023 and has come through the Waves pathway.
“She was snapped up quickly with her amazing ability to win ball for her team up the court,” said Blaze of Bethune.
Cassandra Grigoriadis and Charlotte Davies have both come across from Ariels, while Madeleine Grimsey and Chloe Brown have signed their first VNL contracts.
The midcourt features a similar mix of youth and experience. Ella Rhodes has been elevated from Division 1, former Ariels athlete Holly Taubert returns to the VNL, and Waves have recruited two rookies in Brooke Cant and Katie Fone.
23&Under Athletes
There’s a mix of returning pathway athletes and newcomers in Waves’ first 23&Under team, which includes players as young as 15.
The shooting end features the most established lineup of the group, starting with Charlize Gabel Joseph. Gabel Joseph was a star of the 19&Under division in 2023, earning herself a spot in the Team of the Year and the Hot Shot Award for the most goals scored. The young shooter scored over 40 goals in seven games.
“Charlize brings a strength to either goaling position. She’s extremely accurate on the shot but also super strong on the take and has the ability to run GA also. Her fitness is a standout this year after pre-season and she is one to watch,” said Blaze.
Gabel Joseph will build on her connections with Olivia Ray and Taylah Werner who also join from the former 19&Under side.
“Olivia Ray and Charlize will connect in the goal circle. Both can play either position and have been connecting very well. Both are pathway athletes who have played together before. They’re extremely smart players who both play the moving circle,” said Blaze.
New to the shooting end are Ella Waters, and Milan-Temeio Kupa Kamana who has officially earned her first VNL contract after debuting in the last round of 2023.
The midcourt will be led by Isabelle Rebecca who captained the Waves’ 2023 Division 1 side. “She will bring experience and a great calmness across her team,” said Blaze.
Fifteen-year-old Sienna De La Sota has also been signed after impressing in the 19&Under division last year. “Up and coming superstar Sienna was locked down early with Waves and we are excited to see her step up to this level,” said Blaze.
Fellow midcourters Brianna Messina and Kate Montgomery will debut for the club after signing their first VNL contracts.
Pathway player and defender Talia Anderson is back for her third year with Waves. “Talia has an amazing read of the game providing vital intercepts for her team,” said Blaze.
She will provide leadership among a young group alongside Charlotte Sengstock – another Waves pathway player who’s previously played in the 19&Under division. “Charlotte is a tall option who puts a lot of pressure over the shot.”
This group will also benefit from the guidance and hard work of Tessa Bourke-Finn who has Division 1 experience.
Waves are pleased to welcome three new defenders to their lineup, including Kya Leppitsch and Wangaratta player Kelsie Wilson.
“Kelsie is a first year VNL player from country Victoria who is a huge talent, with both extreme levels of fitness and amazing intercept ability,” said Blaze.
Mackenzie Oracz has come across from Wilson Storage Southern Saints and will sit out the front in WD. “The coaches are super impressed with her ability to turn ball over and they see her as a future Championship player,” Blaze said.
Coaches
The Peninsula Waves coaching panel has been slightly rejigged, with Sue Hawkins moving into the full-time position of head and Championship coach.
A former Australian Diamond, Hawkins is an esteemed coach whose former roles include England national team coach and Mainland Tactix coach in the ANZ Championship.
“Last year Sue was head of the elite program in a part-time role but was found to be so vital she is now in a full-time role, overseeing all athletes and programs as well as working with her Championship team,” said Blaze.
“She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a professionalism to processes and presentations.
“She captivates the athletes to listen and has the ability to make them laugh. With a young group this year, Sue is positive and connects with her athletes on life balance.”
Former 19&Under coach Chris Vickery has been appointed the 23&Under coach. Vickery has been with Waves for over 20 years as both a player and coach and is a Life Member of the club.
“She is the heart and soul of the club. The most organised coach who puts in thousands of hours on athlete wellbeing and the player-coach connection. She still leads by example with her high levels of fitness,” said Blaze.
“Chris will do wonders with a very talented 23&Under group. Her ability to select a range of athletes with different skill sets is a credit to her coaching.”
Peninsula Waves 2024 Squads
Championship
Abby Gregorovich
April Bethune
Brianna Hipwell
Brooke Cant
Cassandra Grigoriadis
Charlotte Davies
Chloe Brown
Ella Rhodes
Ella Roberton
Emmalia Blake
Holly Taubert
Kassidy Withers
Katie Fone
Lyshae Barry
Madeleine Grimsey
Head coach: Sue Hawkins
23&Under
Brianna Messina
Charlize Gabel Joseph
Charlotte Sengstock
Ella Waters
Isabelle Rebecca
Kate Montgomery
Kelsie Wilson
Kya Leppitsch
Mackenzie Oracz
Milan-Temeio Kupa Kamana
Olivia Ray
Sienna De La Sota
Talia Anderson
Taylah Werner
Tessa Bourke-Finn
Head coach: Chris Vickery
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View the 2024 VNL fixture
