Hawks Netball head coach AJ Ballantyne shares the standout athletes and coaching masterstrokes behind the club’s 23&Under premiership-winning VNL season.
By Amelia Barnes
Hawks Netball Club made history in 2024 as the inaugural 23&Under division premiers of the Victorian Netball League (VNL).
Starting off the season with a draw, the Hawks went on to win 20 out of their remaining 21 regular games to secure the minor premiership.
The club’s strong performances, led by 23&Under coach Monique Lenehan-Moustafa, continued into finals, where Hawks recorded a huge 30-goal win over Melbourne University Lightning (second on the ladder in the regular season) in the semi, before an 11-goal victory to beat North East Blaze in the grand final.
Hawks head and Championship coach Adrian ‘AJ’ Ballantyne reflects on the season that was.
Best on ground
A young but relatively experienced group of Hawks athletes came together to help claim the VNL’s first ever 23&Under title.
Goal keeper Olivia Barnett, in particular, had a season to remember, being named both the grand final and club MVP.
Barnett has come through the Hawks’ pathway starting in their development squad, then overcoming an Achilles injury to play a year in the 19&Under division, before the introduction of the 23&Under level this year.
“She's been part of the furniture at our club for a long time but just keeps getting better and better, and this was easily her best season,” said Ballantyne.
“She's not a super tall goal keeper, but she played incredibly well this year. She was a menace outside the circle hunting ball.
“I think she got seven or eight turnovers in the second half of that grand final, which is what we saw from her all year.”
Barnett was supported in the goal circle by Emma Storey, who also shone playing her second year of VNL.
“Emma Storey’s another one who came up from our 19 & Under side and the combination she and Liv developed throughout the year was remarkable, really, considering they've not played together before.”
Barnett and Storey’s combined defensive pressure helped limit North East Blaze to just 15 goals in the second half of the grand final, to ultimately secure the 51-40 win.
Barnett and four other Hawks players were named in the VNL 23&Under Team of the Year: midcourters Sienna Green, Georgie O’Brien, and Kaila Swindell; and shooter Jessica Tetley who was elevated to the club’s Championship side mid-season.
Ballantyne said Swindell performed exceptionally on and off the court as the team’s captain.
“Kaila’s super dynamic… and very smart with her movement. She’s a real workhorse – she just works and works and works and works to find space and is very creative with her movement and the way she uses the ball as well,” said Ballantyne.
“She just got better and better as the season went on. When she first came to Hawks two to three years ago, she was originally playing mostly wing defence, but now she's very much a dominant wing attack/centre.”
Both naturally dominant players, Swindell and Green worked on their connection throughout the season to form a cohesive and powerful midcourt unit.
“Sienna really demands that ball and has worked a lot this year on her ball placement and her feeding, which has improved out of sight,” said Ballantyne.
“She is becoming a lot smarter with the way that she inserts herself into the play down the court and learning to trust her teammates to do their role so she can do hers, rather than feeling like she's got to do everyone's role.”
At just 18 years of age, O’Brien will step up to the Championship division in 2025 following her impressive 2024 season.
“She’s just the most unassuming, get on with the job, kind of player,” said Ballantyne.
“She came to us originally as a circle defender, and now through the state program has sort of transitioned more out to wing defence and even a little bit of centre.
“There's probably not too many shutdown wing defences who work as hard as Georgie does. She sticks to her opponent like glue.”
Keeley Burgmann also had a strong back half of the season. After suffering a knee injury in 2023, the shooter found her feet again in the 23&Under team.
“Keeley was able to be part of that premiership and played a huge part in the grand final,” said Ballantyne. “She came on I think in the second quarter, and she was one of the best players in that grand final. She shot the lights out.”
Coaching masterclass
Monique Lenehan-Moustafa didn't miss a beat in her first year stepping up as 23&Under coach.
Described by Ballantyne as a balanced technical and tactical coach, the former VNL player-turned-coach adapted to numerous changes throughout the season and listened to her athletes to reach their potential.
“I can't give Mon enough credit for the job that she did,” said Ballantyne.
“She’s team-focused and caring and certainly had great relationships with all the players in the team… They trusted her, and she trusted them, and they all got the best out of each other.”
Lenehan-Moustafa’s leadership was integral in overcoming setbacks, including a recurring injury to young defender Eloise Argoon, and a season-ending ACL injury to Joselyn ‘Joss’ Bennetts.
In their absence, Alice Nicholas, and 16-year-old Cheryl Chen both stepped up from Hawks’ 19&U program, fitting in seamlessly to the VNL with Lenehan-Moustafa’s support.
Next season
Hawks’ 23&Under team will have a new look in 2025 following multiple player movements in the off season, including the elevation of Barnett, O’Brien, Green, and shooter Hannah Keane to the club’s Championship side.
Cheryl Chen has permanently moved up from Hawks’ 19&U program, along with shooter Allie Davidson, and Amy Scott who has been named a training partner.
The 23&Under team has also welcomed new faces from other clubs: midcourter Teagan Bethune, shooter Dakota Blade, midcourter Sienna De La Sota, and defender Jasmine Hamilton, who is a VNL rookie.
Ballantyne and Lenehan-Moustafa will continue as Hawks’ Championship and 23&Under coaches respectively.
Outside of VNL, Ballantyne is also involved in the Netball Victoria state program, stepping up in 2025 as the 19&U head coach role after one year as the assistant. Ballantyne will help select, train, and lead the state team to compete at the National Netball Championships, with the aim of taking the team to the medal matches.
“Our goal is to be back playing for gold,” he said. “I'm just really excited to get started.”
vic.netball.com.au/hawks-netball
hawksnetballclub.com.au
@hawksnetballclub
