Lewis excited for 2023

“Very exciting and I’m stoked to be back. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else so it’s great to be playing with the Vixens in 2023,” she said.

Making the trek across the country to continue her netball dream this year, West Australian Lewis was eager to stay with her new Vixens family.

“To be honest I’ve just really loved the club ever since I got to Melbourne, everything about the Vixens has been so positive. I’ve had such a great experience and I’ve really settled into Melbourne life. It’s such a great group of girls including support staff as well. I just think to be able to keep that same group and to be a part of the same team again it was a bit of a no brainer for me. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

After reaching the Grand Final this year, Lewis has her eyes set on going one further next year and bringing home that championship trophy.

“Obviously we want to go one better. I think coming off the backend of 2021 where Vixens were bottom of the ladder I think to get to minor premiers and then to come runners up in such a short turnaround is such a huge deal.

“I think we’re all disappointed with the result in the Grand Final but it is important to recognise where we came from and how far we came as a group. Myself, Kip, Hannah and Rahni being permanent members means we were a newer team, so just having another year to get under our belt as a group of 10 is massive.”

Playing alongside a couple of Vixens stalwarts in Jo Weston and Emily Mannix, Lewis has been able to further develop her craft and begin building formidable combinations.

“They’ve been there for me from the get-go. They’re a bit older than me and they’ve been around a bit longer and they’ve just been so good with my development - they’ve been so invested with how I go, it’s not just on the court but off the court as well, forming those relationships. We all get along really well and it all transfers on court as well,” she said.

On an individual level, Lewis is pleased with her development throughout the year and is keen to add to her bag of tricks next season to ensure that she can make an impact whenever she steps out on court.

“Lots to work on but I’m really happy with the steps I’ve taken in 2022 with my game, getting a bit more court time under my belt and a bit more confidence back. I want to be able to cover multiple positions, so I’ve been working on that GD, WD and want to keep building on that. I’m looking forward to a big pre-season and lots of time to get nice and fit, and ready and raring to go next year. I just want to play my role for the team at the end of the day to help us win.”

With the SSN season done and dusted Lewis’ focus now turns to the Australian Netball Championships in August, named in the Victorian Fury side alongside a number of Vixens teammates.

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it actually. I played two years in the ANL with the Western Sting, it’s a competition that I have missed playing in and I never really thought I’d be playing for Victoria. It’s a very strong Vixens contingent with myself, Hannah and Rahni. It’s really exciting and it’ll be a lot of fun and just hoping to get some silverware for Victoria,” she said.

Vixens fans can catch every match of the Australian National Championships live and free on Kayo.