Vixens sign five training partners ahead of 2024 season

Lily Graham will enter the Vixens training environment for the first time in 2024. Standing at 183cm, the 18-year-old goaler played for Victorian Fury at the Australian Netball Championships (ANC) in 2023 and was selected in the 19/U Australian Squad, following appearances for the Victorian 17/U and 19/U teams in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Graham has been elevated to the Wilson Storage Southern Saints’ 2024 Championship side following a successful year in the Victorian Netball League (VNL), where she will play alongside fellow Vixens training partner and goaler Emily Andrew.

Emily Andrew returns to the playing group for another year after a stellar 2023, the 20-year-old having joined the Vixens’ match day squad twice as a temporary replacement player. She played a key role for the Victorian Fury at last year’s ANC, the 191cm goaler’s accuracy and agility on display throughout the competition and earning her the title of the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Andrew was also named in the 21/U Australian squad and continues to shine under the post for the Wilson Storage Southern Saints in the VNL.

With SSN success already under her belt, 22-year-old Ruby Barkmeyer has signed on again in 2024. While injury kept her from competing in last year’s ANC tournament in Queensland, her speed and dynamic movement around the circle previously earned the 180cm goaler a place in the 21/U Australian squad from 2020-2022.

Barkmeyer brings valuable experience at SSN level to the playing group, including her standout performance in the Vixens’ 2022 preliminary final, and she will again line up for 2023 Championship division runners up Boroondara Express for the 2024 VNL season.

Maggie Caris returns for her third year as a training partner in 2024. A rangy 190cm defender, Caris notched up another impressive season for the Melbourne University Lightning at VNL level in 2023 and this year will continue in the Championship division with the club she first joined in 2019.

The 21-year-old played a key role in the Victorian Fury’s defensive end at ANC, her pressure under the post and ability to confuse space leading to her selection for the 2023 21/U Australian squad for the second consecutive year.

The group is rounded out with 23-year-old circle defender Gabby Coffey, who has signed on for her fourth season as a training partner. At 186cm tall, proud Wiradjuri woman Coffey first joined the group in 2021 and made her debut for the Vixens in 2023 as a temporary replacement player.

Coffey stars for Melbourne University Lightning in the VNL where she has played since 2017, often alongside Caris in what has become a powerhouse defensive combination thanks to her athleticism and ability to read the play.

“We’re pleased to have four of our 2023 squad members continuing with our program this year in Emily, Ruby, Maggie and Gabby, and we’re excited to be welcoming a new face in Lily as well,” said General Manager High Performance & Pathways, Megan Simpson.

“Each athlete brings something different to our group, they’ve each demonstrated their talent through the Victorian Netball League and our various pathway programs and have a lot to offer as part of our wider Vixens team.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing how each of our squad members continue to develop in the high performance environment. They play a crucial role supporting and challenging our Vixens group as we build towards the season, and we thank Emily, Ruby, Maggie, Gabby and Lily for their commitment to our team heading into 2024.”

2024 Training Partners

Emily Andrew
Ruby Barkmeyer
Maggie Caris
Gabby Coffey
Lily Graham

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