Sport

Shepparton and surrounds well-represented in 2025 Netball Victoria Talent Academy

Dec 1, 2024

Elliana Gray is one of a handful from the area to receive an exciting offer from Netball Victoria. Photo by Megan Fisher

If ever you needed reassurance that netball in the region is ever-strengthening, this would be the news you’d want to hear.

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A swathe of young talents from the Goulburn Valley have been presented with a huge opportunity to take the next step in their development.

No fewer than four girls representing Shepparton Netball Association, the primary local pathway for girls knocking on the door of Goulburn Valley League eligibility, have received spots in Netball Victoria’s 2025 Talent Academy as players with one more following as an official.

The state’s governing body for netball splits its academy jurisdictions into multiple metro and regional catchments, with the vast majority of district prospects falling into the North East squad.

Yulkirri Bamblett, Emmi Lewis, Maya Pearson and Ellie Robinson are among the SNA juniors picked to take part in the pathway as players, with Ivy Henderson receiving a separate nod for the North East roster in an umpiring capacity.

In addition, four more players already affiliated within the GVL system have earned the call-up — Millie Gemmill, Avie Hill, Penny Mason and Elliana Gray.

The exposure would come naturally to Gray in particular, having featured in the inaugural 15-and-under GVL interleague squad against the Ovens and Murray earlier this year.

There are plenty of names out of surrounding areas earning this opportunity as well, with Maisee Pell and Jaydah Wanganeen set to represent Murray Netball League, while Sophie McDonald flies the Kyabram District League flag and Taylah Bigger comes in from Mansfield.

2025 Netball Victoria Talent Academy athletes - North East Regional

Chelsie Ackerly (Albury NA), Yulkirri Bamblett (Shepparton NA), Taylah Bigger (Mansfield JNC), Lily Boyer (Myrtleford NA), Scarlet Byers (Corowa & District NA), Brylee Carkeek (Netball Wodonga Inc.), Arhi Cohen (Netball Wodonga Inc.), Gemma Corcoran (Myrtleford NA), Sophia Dedourek (Albury NA), Lainey Draper (Wangaratta NA), Zali Fryer (Netball Wodonga Inc.), Millie Gemmill (Goulburn Valley NL), Elliana Gray (Goulburn Valley NL), Avie Hill (Goulburn Valley NL), Tyla Hilton (Albury NA), Chloe Knight (Albury NA), Priya Kohlhagen (Albury NA), Isabelle Kreutzberger (Albury NA), Emmi Lewis (Shepparton NA), Ella Maguire (Albury NA), Penny Mason (Goulburn Valley NL), Claire McDonald (Myrtleford NA), Sophie McDonald (Kyabram District FNL), April McGee (Albury NA), Isabel McMahon (Wangaratta NA), Maya Pearson (Shepparton NA), Maisee Pell (Murray NL), Ellie Robinson (Shepparton NA), Matilda Taylor (Wangaratta NA), Lucy Tinkler (Netball Wodonga Inc.), Jaydah Wanganeen (Murray NL)