Melbourne Vixens announce 2025 training partners

Maggie Caris will continue in her fourth year as part of the squad, while more Victorian pathway products Ruby Shannon, Charlotte Sexton, Tara Watson and Mia Lavis have been added to the crop.

The training partners will train alongside the team of 10 during pre-season and throughout the regular season, allowing them to be fully entrenched in the Vixens’ environment .

Melbourne Vixens head coach, Simone McKinnis said:

“We’re excited to be welcoming Ruby, Charlotte, Tara and Mia to the squad, and having Maggie continue with us.

“Training partners play a vital role in our group and it’s an exciting opportunity for us to bring the next generation of Victorian talent into our Vixens environment."

2025 Melbourne Vixens training partners

Maggie Caris
Defender
Junior club: Horsham Saints Netball Club / 2024 VNL club: Melbourne University Lightning

Maggie returns for her fourth year as a training partner. The 21-year-old circle defender stands at 190cm and applies pressure under the post like no other. She has competed for Melbourne University Lightning in the Victorian Netball League since 2019, being integral to the club’s success. Maggie has also played a key role in the Victorian Fury’s Australian Netball Championships and SN Reserves campaigns, and was selected in the 21/U Australian squad.

Maggie said: “"The last three years have been hard work and full of learnings, so I’m grateful to be part of the squad again in 2025 and excited to welcome the new training partners to the group."

Ruby Shannon
Midcourter
Junior association: Banyule & District Netball Association / VNL club: Western Warriors

Quick on her feet and agile in attack, Ruby steps up into the Vixens environment with plenty of experience in Victorian pathway programs. The courageous 20-year-old midcourter was part of the 2023 19/U Victorian state team, represented Victorian Fury in 2024’s inaugural SN Reserves competition and was selected in the 2024 Australian 21/Under squad. She plays for the Western Warriors in the Victorian Netball League, and was named in the league’s 19&Under Team of the Year in 2023 when playing for North East Blaze.

Ruby said: “I am super excited to be a part of the Vixens environment and can’t wait to embrace the opportunities.”

Charlotte Sexton
Defender
Junior club: Sandhurst Football Netball Club / VNL club: Bendigo Strikers

Standing at a towering 191cm, Charlotte has become an imposing figure in the circle, the 20-year-old making a name for herself in the Netball Victoria pathway over the last two years. In 2023, she earned selection in the 19/U Victorian and national teams, and this year was named in the Victorian Fury side for SN Reserves, selected in the national 21/U squad, and took out the Bendigo Strikers’ inaugural best and fairest award in the VNL.

Charlotte said: “I’m thrilled and very grateful to be offered this opportunity as training partner. I can’t wait to get started with all the girls and to learn from them and the coaches.”

Tara Watson
Midcourter
Junior club: Diamond Creek Netball Club / VNL club: North East Blaze

A defensive midcourter leaving nothing out on court, Tara is a leader in the making. The 19-year-old’s game is built on eagerness and work ethic as an ever-reliable teammate on the court and off it. Tara has made every Victorian state team and national squad since 2021, has been part of the Vixens Academy under the watchful eye of Susan Meaney since 2022, and made her mark this year with strong performances for the Victorian Fury in the 2024 SN Reserves competition.

Tara said: “I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the Vixens squad for 2025. I’m particularly excited to be able to train alongside and learn from the best. I can’t wait for the year ahead.”

Mia Lavis
Goaler
Junior club: Howlong Football Netball Club / VNL club: North East Blaze

As the youngest recruit at 18 years old, Mia has already made a name for herself in the Victorian pathway and on the international stage. The 181cm goaler has been selected in state teams for the last two years (17/U and 19/U), as well as the 17/U and 19/U national pathway squads in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and was part of the gold medal-winning Australian team at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2023. Hailing from Howlong – a town on the border of NSW and Victoria with a population of around 3000 – Mia has impressed many in the pathway with her commitment and work ethic.

Mia said: “It's a childhood dream come true. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to train with the best in the world week in week out."

Part of the Melbourne Vixens squad will return to training in November, with the full squad returning in January following the completion of international duties.

2025 Melbourne Vixens memberships are on sale now and can be purchased at www.melbournevixens.com.au.