Written by Amelia Barnes
At just 16 years of age, regional athlete Molly Moylan has already made sacrifices to chase her netball dreams, and they are starting to come true.
Preparing to make her debut appearance at the National Netball Championships (NNC — the competition for 17/U and 19/U state teams from across the country) the goaler has been selected as the 17/U team’s co-captain.
Moylan said she was surprised to even be selected in the state team, let alone be elected as co-captain.
“Mum came running down with the email — she let me read it first,” said Moylan, recalling her initial team selection. “I was very shocked and excited.”
Since then, Moylan and her parents have been travelling to Melbourne twice a week — a seven hour round trip — to attend training sessions. Friday sessions require Moylan to leave school early, so if she’s not racking up driving hours towards her Ps, she’s often catching up on year 11 work in the passenger seat.
Prior to state selection, Moylan was in the North East Talent Academy (the Netball Victoria pathway development program for talent-identified athletes aged 14-16).
She’s currently a rising star of the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League, alongside her sister Niamh, and mother Kelli Moylan. Kelli coached both her daughter’s teams (17/U and B grade) to premierships in 2024, with Molly named best on court in her final.
“I’ve been in 17s the last three years, and played some seniors,” said Moylan. “I don’t know why, but it’s such a strong league — it’s very competitive.”
Moylan has been in and around the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League from a young age, initially watching her mother play A-grade in defence, and her aunty Rebecca Cameron in goals.
The talent coming out of the league today speaks to the quality of the competition. Moylan has watched the rise of fellow local talent Mia Lavis, who played for the crosstown Wodonga team until signing as a 2025 Melbourne Vixens training partner.
Moylan said being a regional athlete can pose challenges in terms of accessing pathway programs and being seen by coaches and selectors, so seeing athletes like Lavis succeed is an inspiring reminder of what’s possible.
“It just shows you that it can happen. It’s pretty cool,” said Moylan.
“The coaches and everyone in Melbourne, they all know each other and have seen each other play… Travelling from the country — it’s just harder.”
Eliza Mooney is another Wodonga player moving up the pathway as a member of the 19/U state team, and the 23&Under Bendigo Strikers team in the Victorian Netball League (VNL).
In the 17/U state team, Moylan is the only player not currently linked to a VNL club, but she is no longer intimidated by the new environment. “I was at first, but once I’ve gotten to know them, I've been fine,” she said. “I feel very supported.”
A predominant goal attack, she brings accuracy, strength, and flair to the court partially attributed to her background playing basketball. “I think both sports help with each other, especially with my shooting,” Moylan said. “Also, in netball I'm used to the physicality because of basketball.”
Her netball idol is Gretel Bueta — an athlete famous for her basketball-influenced playing style.
Moylan can’t wait to represent Victoria on the NNC stage in Sydney and has only one goal in mind for the week.
“We’re aiming to win gold.”
The National Netball Championships are on 10-16 April at Sydney’s Netball Central. Matches will be available live and on-demand via KommunityTV.
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