Written by Amelia Barnes
It’s been a big off-season for Peninsula Waves Championship team who have recruited far and wide, including former Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) player Samantha Gooden.
The 23&Under team finished just outside of finals contention in 2024, with star shooter Charlize Gabel Joseph proving near unstoppable under the post. The team has signed some new names to hopefully go one step further this year.
Peninsula Waves will host home games at Jubilee Park Stadium in Frankston in Rounds 3, 6, and 12.
Championship athletes
2024 was a tough season for Peninsula Waves’ Championship team who suffered multiple injuries and trialling new combinations.
“It was a year of growth for the club and the team battled hard…but it offered opportunities for players to crack into the VNL environment,” said Gen Blaze, Peninsula Waves administrator and manager.
“Without any wins in 2024, our goals are to improve and get a certain number of wins on the board this year, while setting a club culture and looking at long term success.”
The team has signed a new head coach in Matt Cooke to fill gaps in their roster — many of whom are returning to the club and VNL — while maintaining a bulk of Waves’ up and coming athletes.
“Culture, long-term success, and a spot of difference were all important to Matt, our coaching team, and the club during the recruiting period,” said Blaze. “The squad has the ability to play a range of game styles.”
Waves scored arguably the biggest signing of the off-season in former Melbourne Vixens goaler Mwai Kumwenda, who was initially announced to be re-joining the club and VNL (where she started in her netball journey in Australia) after 12 years at the elite level. However, it wasn’t long until Kumwenda was scooped up by the West Coast Fever to rejoin SSN.
“Of course, from a Waves point of view, it was disappointing to lose such a huge asset to the club as a player, mentor, and person after we had already started pre-season, but the girls and everyone at the club were thrilled for her to get the opportunity at SSN level again and advocate for mums returning to the highest level,” said Blaze.
“MJ had already had a big impact around the club, she was attending all trainings and working hard on her rehab program… She was also helping the goalers and other players with valuable coaching.”
Waves soon recruited another former SSN player (Collingwood Magpies, Melbourne Vixens, and Adelaide Thunderbirds) in Samantha Gooden, who is returning to netball after some time in AFLW. Gooden is a versatile goaler with the ability to hold, shoot long, and play in goal attack.
“Sammy is a great person to have around the club. She brings that elite level experience and high work rate level that you need to make it in the top league,” said Blaze.
“After losing a goaler with SSN experience it was quite amazing to sign another goaler who has also played SSN as that was the position we needed to find.
“Waves chatted to Sam the year before, but she was committed to her football, and this year it was lucky that she was keen to get back into netball!”
Gooden will team up with Waves’ re-signed goalers Emmalia Blake and Kassidy Withers, plus Lauren Spinks who returns to the club after a year at Wilson Storage Southern Saints.
“Loz brings an unorthodox style which is hard for defenders to match up on,” said Blaze of Spinks.
Emily Boribon is also making a return to the VNL this season with Waves. “She is a great playmaker out the front of our taller goalers and has a dead eye long shot,” said Blaze.
Waves' other re-signed Championship shooter, Ella Roberton, will not take to the court this season due to a ruptured ACL.
The midcourt features an even mix of re-signed athletes and new signings. 2024 captain Kassidy Withers will lead the way, alongside the fit and consistent Ella Rhodes and Holly Taubert who both had strong prior seasons.
Former Giants Academy athlete Selene Chadrawy has been signed after playing her first VNL season with Casey Demons. “Selene brings a brutal, tagging, one-on-one style defence in the midcourt,” said Blaze. “Her energy is electric and she is setting the bar super high with her commitment to the club, team, and her training.”
Former Wilson Storage Southern Saints player Alana McGurgan is returning to the VNL this season with Waves. “She is a super reliable and fit midcourter who brings the ball safely to the circle edge,” said Blaze.
Isabelle Rebecca has been elevated to Waves’ Championship side after being named MVP of the 23&Under team in 2024. “She is one of the hardest, most meticulous players at the club,” said Blaze of Rebecca. “If anyone can step up to Champ and smash it in their first year I wouldn’t be surprised if it's her because she is so mentally driven and works so hard to achieve her goals.”
Gracie Reid from Wangaratta is new to VNL this season and brings speed and strength in the midcourt.
In the defence end, 2024 team MVP April Bethune will play her third season at Waves. “April is a standout athlete and player. Her ability to turn over the ball defensively for her team time after time is a huge asset of hers, along with her drive through the court, said Blaze.
“Her work rate at training and games only adds to her fitness and mental toughness… We were really impressed with how she matched up against the top VNL goalers in 2024.”
Cassandra Grigoriadis has also re-signed after a great 2024 season. “She is smashing fitness and training and is a very clever player with great elevation,” said Blaze.
Lauren Hucker is back at the club after three seasons with Hawks Netball. “We are stoked to have Lauren back at Waves,” said Blaze. “Lauren will bring a lot of Championship experience to our young team, as well as much needed height in the defensive ring, which will complement our other defenders.”
Caitlin Cooke has been recruited from Wilson Storage Southern Saints for her ball winning abilities. The defender had a remarkable return to court in 2024 following ACL and meniscus injuries, taking out the Jodi Chandler Medal as the best player in the Outer East Football Netball A Grade. “She is a deceivingly clever defender who likes to hunt,” said Blaze of Cooke.
Tayla Furborough, who has played for close to a decade in the Ovens and Murray League, is new to the VNL scene this season and looks ready to go at Championship level. “She brings height and depth to our defensive end,” said Blaze.
23&Under athletes
Peninsula Waves had a strong first outing in the 23&Under VNL division improving throughout the season to finish in fifth place.
“The team performed so well in 2024…A slow start to the season cost them that opportunity [of finals] and they are aware of that, so they will be making sure that doesn’t happen again,” said Blaze.
The standout player was Charlize Gabel Joseph, who will again line up for the side in 2025 after winning the league’s 23&U Most Valuable Player and Hot Shot Award (for most goals scored).
“She just is a super special player and person. Her accuracy is the best in the competition, and she can shoot from anywhere in the ring. She can play a holding game style and is super strong but can also play a moving circle,” said Blaze of Gabel Joseph.
“She trains so hard and is extremely hard for defenders to match up on. It was no surprise she won both those awards as she is a game changer.”
Gabel Joseph will continue building on her great combination with Taylah Werner, who has also re-signed. “Taylah had a standout year in 2024, and all signs so far show that she will continue the trajectory and push for a spot in Champ,” said Blaze. “Her movement is lethal and her combination with Charlize is hard to stop.”
The team’s new goalers are Ava Dunstan and Ella Tweedale.
“Ava is a tall, young goaler who adds much needed height and options to the goaling end. She is keen to learn and is working amazingly hard,” said Blaze. “Ella is our other new goaler who is very accurate and adds height and movement to the circle.”
Defensive midcourter Mackenzie Oracz will play her second season at Waves, guiding an exciting lineup of experienced VNL athletes and rookies.
Among them is Abby Williams, who returns fitter and stronger after rupturing her ACL at the end of 2023. She has prior experience playing for Waves, Boroondara Express, and in the Victorian state teams.
“With Champ experience she is an amazing addition to the 23&U team,’ said Blaze of Williams. “A classy midcourter, her ability to sight the goaler and feed the ball is a massive weapon. She will be a great leader for this young group.”
Specialist wing defence Gabby Linton has come across from Hawks Netball. “I am backing Gabby to flourish under Chris Vickery, who is a WD specialist herself,” said Blaze. “Gabs is thriving already in the environment; she is a natural athlete and has a great workrate.”
Jordan McManamny has signed her first VNL contract after coming into Waves’ development teams halfway during season 2024 to cover injuries. “Jordy impressed the coaches with her workrate, hops and eagerness to learn. Another super fit athlete, it will be great to see how she goes this year,” said Blaze.
Rounding out the midcourt is powerful local athlete Georgia Mills, who will also play her rookie VNL season.
Formidable defensive trio Charlotte Sengstock, Kelsie Wilson, and Talia Anderson have all re-signed for 2025. They’ll link up with Abbey Whitaker who comes across from Casey Demons.
“She's a key defender who our coaches identified when we played against her in 2024. She brings extra height and depth to the defensive end and is still very young, so her future is very bright,” said Blaze of Whitaker.
Olivia Spence joins the side after playing with Hawks Netball before an ACL injury. She was most recently a training partner in Victoria’s 2024 First Nations Team. “The coaches were impressed with her drive to get back to the VNL level and had previously seen her play pre-injury,” said Blaze.
Madison Mullen signs as another tall defender who has been impressing the coaches at training with her footwork and ability to hunt the ball.
Coaches
Former Australian Diamond England national coach Sue Hawkins remains Peninsula Waves head coach, but Matt Cooke steps up as the head coach of the Championship team. Cooke was most recently the 23&Under coach of Wilson Storage Southern Saints.
“He has an extensive coaching background and has been involved in VNL coaching for many years. He felt ready to step up to Championship and we felt he was a good fit for the club,” said Blaze of Cooke.
“He was keen to work under Sue Hawkins and learn from her experience.”
Cooke’s specialities include uncovering new talent and creating a game style that suits his specific athletes.
“The game style Matt is working on will allow April Bethune to be more supported and suit her style of play, giving her more opportunities to turn the ball, [for example],” said Blaze.
Club legend Chris Vickery continues as Waves’ 23&Under head coach, with assistant coach Fance Morrell again by her side.
“Fance is all about ‘person first, athlete second.’ She really gets to know her athletes on and off the court and in turn they trust her guidance. She is authentic and great fun,” said Blaze.
“With Chris and Fance at the helm again this year, and the core group of athletes staying together, it is going to offer them stability to get off to a flying start.”
Peninsula Waves 2025 Squads
Championship
Alana McGurgan
April Bethune
Caitlin Cooke
Cassandra Grigoriadis
Ella Roberton
Emily Boribon
Emmalia Blake
Holly Taubert
Isabelle Rebecca
Kassidy Withers
Lauren Hucker
Lauren Spinks
Samantha Gooden
Selene Chadrawy
Tayla Furborough
Head coach: Sue Hawkins
Championship head coach: Matt Cooke
23&Under
Abby Williams
Abbey Whitaker
Ava Dunstan
Charlize Gabel Joseph
Charlotte Sengstock
Ella Tweedale
Gabby Linton
Georgia Mills
Jordan McManamny
Kelsie Wilson
Mackenzie Oracz
Madison Mullen
Olivia Spence
Talia Anderson
Taylah Werner
Head coach: Chris Vickery
Assistant coach: Fance Morrell
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