Kyabram was an A-grade juggernaut of the 2010s, snaring back-to-back premierships in 2011-12 and 2016-17 and was a force feared by many.
However, after starting the 2020s in much tamer fashion, the Bombers are reloading their arsenal.
Kyabram recently announced the signings of crack shot shooter Tamara Skinner from Shepparton United, midcourt technician Emma Quinn from Tatura and graceful defender Breanna Baker from Merrigum.
Skinner and Quinn are proven operators at GVL and Murray league level, while Baker has won multiple club best-and-fairests in Kyabram District League.
There’s one main method to the signing mania: experience.
The Bombers possess vastly talented youngsters — Natasha Dodos, Isla Carver and Abby Waasdorp to name a few — but those green shoots perhaps didn’t have the maturity to mix it with the best sides in the comp during 2024.
Only one win from 18 games proves that point, but with hundreds of games worth of senior experience flying into the Hangar, the signing spree alludes to the fact Kyabram isn’t content in the doldrums for another year.
On the other end of the scale, two of GVL’s most promising starlets have added another feather to their already-festooned caps.
Shepparton’s Mackenzie O’Dwyer and Shepparton Swans’ Harriet Gall were recently announced as part of an 18-strong group to receive scholarships to the Victorian Institute of Sport for 2025.
Aimed as a fast-track pathway for ambitious Victorian netballers, Gall and O’Dwyer will have unmatched access to high-performance resources designed to elevate their careers.
Under the guidance of Elissa Kent, a former Melbourne Kestrels and Melbourne Vixens player, the pair of athletes will not only train, but also be mentored by a champion who knows the game at its highest levels.
“The VIS development program plays a crucial role in enhancing the pathway talent within Victoria,” Kent said.
“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.”
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