Netball
30 November, 2024
Netballers selected for State Titles
The 2025 Wimmera Mallee netball State Titles teams have been selected following trials in Stawell and Horsham in November.
The 2025 State titles will be held at Jubilee Park in Frankston from Saturday, March 8, to Monday, March 11. Frankston will hold 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.
Most years, the Wimmera Mallee Region has had approximately 50-60 girls try out, but the number has declined due to the titles now being held in March rather than the September school holidays.
Thirty-five girls tried out for the under-15s and thirty for the under-17s from the Wimmera Football Netball League, Horsham District Football Netball League and North Central Football Netball League.
Cathie Weidemann, the State Titles Officer for the Wimmera Mallee netball region, said the region has a lot of talent.
"It's amazing to see the level of talent we have in the region," Weidemann said.
"The quality of players across the region is quite strong. We cover 20% of the land mass of the state of Victoria, which is a huge area.
"It's good for the girls as they can bond with other kids outside their associations, and it gives them a broader scope of netball and provides opportunities for other pathways as it's a good way for netballers to get identified."
Claire Drum and Sonia Webb will coach the under-15s team, and Kylie Walsh and Sophie Thomas will coach the under-17s team.
"Claire and Kylie are experienced academy coaches," Weidemann said.
"Being part of the Victorian Talent Academy and the pathway group, they will try to develop the girls through the State Titles to prepare them for the next step in their netball career."
The Wimmera Mallee region will have an open team compete in the titles for the first time. Weidemann said there is interest, and they are finalising coaches and trial dates.
"We are currently organising a coach, and I put out an expression of interest. Approximately 17 players have contacted me," Weidemann said.
"We will probably have trials in mid-January, and it's exciting to bring an open team to the State Titles."
U15s team
Milla Adams, Lana Angel, Ruby Bethune, Phoebe Downer, Evie Harrington, Luca Landrigan, Mayua Przibilla, Heidi Robinson, Eleanor Sladdin, Olivia Taylor, Hailey Tippet, Malaya Willmore.
Training partners: Stella Fratin, Prue O'Sullivan, Lylah Slorach
Coaches: Sonia Webb, Claire Drum
U17s team
Zali Angel, Maddison Bethune, Lauren Clyne, Ruby Gordon, Zarli Knight, Sienna Manserra, Lena Marshman, Jasmine McIntyre, Bridie Price, Cara Tippet, Ruby Wilson, Ilze Van Zyl.
Training partners: Gracie Humphreys, Airlie Garlick, Chloe Reinheimer, Holly Whitehead.
Coaches: Kylie Walsh, Sophie Thomas