Netball
5 March, 2025
Netballers excited for state titles
The 2025 Wimmera Mallee Netball Representative teams have made final preparations for the 2025 State Titles, which will be held at Jubilee Park in Frankston from Saturday, March 8, to Monday, March 11.
Frankston is holding the State Titles in 2025 for the first time in 21 years, having previously hosted in 1990 and 2004.
The State Titles is Netball Victoria’s opening event of the performance pathway calendar year. Eighteen regions from across the state play in a round-robin-style tournament in 15/U, 17/U Female, 17/U Male, Open, and All Abilities divisions.
The State Titles presents talent identification opportunities for athletes and umpires, with state selectors observing matches across the three-day tournament.
Across the 40 years of the tournament, the State Titles have been a stepping stone for athletes' and umpires’ progression through the high-performance pathway.
Cathie Weidemann, the State Titles Officer for the Wimmera Mallee netball region, said it's an exciting time.
"It's going to be fantastic," Weidemann said.
"The girls involved in the open team, all of them have been involved at State Titles over the last few years.
"Jayde Ellis was an assistant coach two years ago for the under-15s, and quite a few girls have played in the 15s and 17s teams and graduated out of the junior program and have stayed involved, which is excellent."
Keegan Amos, from Birchip/Watchem, broke her scaphoid a few years back and couldn't play the under-17s. She has been involved since and now gets an opportunity to play in the open, which is very exciting, according to Weidemann.
"Keegan has been involved every year as a team manager, assistant, or an umpire, and has stayed involved, and is excited to play, and it's very exciting to see her play," Weidemann said.
Weidemann said the goal is to finish as high as possible in the rankings.
"There is going to be strong competition from the Melbourne based teams, but it is also unknown how strong the competition will be from other regions," Weidemann said.
"There are 13 teams in the competition, but a few other regions haven't had an 'open' team involved before, so it will be interesting to see them.
"It's going to be a battle for fitness with open, as they are playing half-an-hour games - two 15 minute halves."
"The other thing is that Netball Victoria are using the titles to help umpires go for their 'B' badge, so it's also a tournament focusing on strong development for umpires."
Regarding the juniors, only four of the under-17s team are top age, with the rest graduating from the under-15s from 2024, making the under-15s a bit of a new look.
Training has been disrupted in the tournament's leadup because the Warracknabeal Basketball Stadium is usually used. Because it's under development, they have had to use other venues: Rupanyup, Warracknabeal Secondary College and the Horsham Lutheran School.
Weidemann thanked them for their support.
"Because the State Titles are played indoors, we liked to use indoor facilities with more than two courts, and we haven't been able to do that," Weidemann said.
"We are extremely grateful for the support those places have given us in enabling us to utilise their facilities."
Under-15 team
Milla Adams (Donald), Lana Angel (Birchip/Watchem), Ruby Bethune (Horsham Saints), Phoebe Downer (Rupanyup), Evie Harrington (Ararat), Luca Landrigan (Southern Mallee Thunder), Mayua Przibilla (Laharum), Heidi Robinson (Harrow Balmoral), Eleanor Sladdin (Ararat), Olivia Taylor (Horsham Saints), Hailey Tippet (Horsham Saints), Malaya Willmore (Horsham).
Training partners: Stella Fratin (Ararat), Prue O'Sullivan (Nullawil), Lylah Slorach (Swifts).
Coaches: Sonia Webb, Claire Drum.
Under-17 team
Zali Angel (Birchip/Watchem), Maddison Bethune (Horsham Saints), Lauren Clyne (Warracknabeal), Ruby Gordon (Kaniva Leeor), Zarli Knight (Horsham), Sienna Manserra (Horsham), Lena Marshman (Horsham Saints), Jasmine McIntyre (Edenhope Apsley), Bridie Price (Ararat), Cara Tippet (Horsham Saints), Ruby Wilson (Minyip Murtoa), Ilze Van Zyl (Rupanyup).
Training partners: Gracie Humphreys (Birchip/Watchem), Airlie Garlick (Warrack), Chloe Reinheimer (Kalkee).
Coaches: Kylie Walsh (Birchip/Watchem), Sophie Thomas (Warracknabeal).
Open team
Keegan Amos (Birchip Watchem), Jenna Angel (Birchip Watchem), Jaylen Benbow (Kalkee), Jayde Ellis (Pimpinio), Zoe Gray (Taylors Lake), Claudia Griffiths (Minyip/Murtoa), Taya Horman (Southern Mallee Thunder), Isabella Orszulak (Warracknbeal), Indy Ward (Dimboola), Jess White (Donald), and Mikaela Wright (Minyip/Murtoa), Holly Whitehead (Edenhope Apsley).
Coaches: Tash McIntyre (Taylors Lake), Mikaela Wright (Minyip/Murtoa).