The program, which is run by the VIS, is designed to accelerate the careers of up-and-coming Victorian netballers with access to high-performance resources.
As VIS scholarship holders, athletes will have access to experts in performance nutrition, performance psychology, performance lifestyle, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, physiotherapy and performance analysis services. All while being immersed in a world-class, high-performance facility among athletes from a breadth of different sports.
Supplementary to the Netball Victoria pathway, the VIS and Netball Victoria have worked in partnership to help build a successful program while former Melbourne Kestrels and Vixens player, and now VIS Netball Development Coach, Elissa Kent, leads the team.
“The VIS development program plays a crucial role in enhancing the pathway talent within Victoria,” said Kent.
“By aligning closely with Netball Victoria and Netball Australia, we ensure that our athletes receive tailored support that addresses their individual needs, focusing on holistic development, utilising the specialised resources at the Victorian Institute of Sport to nurture both athletic performance and personal growth.
“Our aim is to prepare these young athletes, not just for the next step in their netball journey, but for life beyond the sport. Ensuring they emerge as both exceptional competitors and well-rounded individuals,” said Kent.
The VIS recently hosted the induction camp, spanning three days and immersing athletes into the services provided at the VIS, such as a psychology profiling session with performance psychologists and a supermarket shop with performance dietitians.
Athletes also switched their regular court for a smaller squash court and learnt how to sail on Albert Park lake with the VIS Sailing Coach.
Image: VIS Nutrition Manager, Kylie Andrew, accompanies athletes to the supermarket before a group cooking session.
Congratulations to the below athletes who have been offered scholarships for 2025:
- Mia Aitken (St Mary’s Sporting Club / Geelong Cougars)
- Allie Davidson (Melbourne East Netball Association / Hawks Netball)
- Amalani Fauonuku (Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club / City West Falcons)
- Tepaea Hobson (East Keilor Netball Club / Melbourne University Lightning)
- Alice O’Callaghan (Waverley District Netball Association)
- Mackenzie O’Dwyer (Shepparton Football Netball Club / Bendigo Strikers)
- Eva Ryan (Warnambool Football Netball Club / Western Warriors)
- Leila Simpson (Chelsea District Netball Association / Boroondara Express)
- Tully Bethune (Birregurra Football Netball Club / Geelong Cougars)
- Harriet Gall (Shepparton Swans / Bendigo Strikers)
- Charli Hoey (Geelong West Giants)
- Mia Lavis (Howlong Football Netball Club / North East Blaze / Melbourne Vixens training partner)
- Eliza Molino (Pakenham Lions Netball Club / North East Blaze)
- Charli Nicol (Bellarine Football Netball League / Geelong Cougars)
- Charlotte Sexton (Sandhurst Football Netball Club / Bendigo Strikers / Melbourne Vixens training partner)
- Ruby Shannon (Banyule and District Netball Association / Western Warriors / Melbourne Vixens training partner)
- Mia van Wyk (Newtown and Chilwell Football Netball Club / Wilson Storage Southern Saints)
- Tara Watson (Diamond Creek Netball Club / North East Blaze / Melbourne Vixens training partner)
Image: Developing new team skills on the water during a sailing lesson with the VIS Sailing Coach.
