Sport
12 March, 2026
Caris inspires junior netballers
Students from the Wimmera Lutheran College netball academy were treated to a visit from Melbourne Vixens netball star Maggie Caris at the College’s Horsham campus on Wednesday, March 4.
During the visit, Caris talked about her experiences playing junior netball with the Horsham Saints, her rise to playing both professional football and netball, the challenges she faced as a dual-sport athlete, and helping the Vixens win the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball premiership.
A Horsham local, Caris said it was a privilege to be able to give back to some of the region’s best young netballers.
“I know when I was at home and school here how exciting it was when someone would come and have a chat to you,” Caris said.
“I was hoping to give back the same thing that I was lucky to experience.
“The kids asked really great questions and we’re really engaged.
“It was really special to share my story, starting from when I was at Horsham Saints, all the way through to my Vixens’ career.”
Having started in 2023 under the guidance of Meg Cashin, the Wimmera Lutheran College Netball Academy has grown to 42 students, providing coaching, conditioning and learning opportunities for young players to develop their game.
The academy’s growth was underlined by having five members make the Wimmera Mallee teams that competed at the Netball Victoria State Titles over the weekend.
Academy member and state title representative Maya Przibilla said she was motivated by Maggie Caris’s story, including how she worked her way through multiple setbacks in her early career.
“It was really just inspiring as a young netballer growing up in the Wimmera, if you're determined, just how far you can go,” Przibilla said.
“She shared some really great wisdom with us, such as how she's had many setbacks, but that's only made her stronger and made her more determined to reach where she is.
“She's just a really great role model.”