Vixens Academy leadership locked in as SN Reserves season returns

The 2026 fixture will feature a home-and-away format, with matches scheduled to align closely with SSN game days, ensuring a strong connection between developing programs and the professional environment.

As part of this pathway focus, the leadership group for the Vixens Academy has been confirmed, with Ally O’Connor named captain for a second consecutive year. She will be joined by vice-captains Maggie Caris and Zali Anderson, forming a driven and experienced trio leading the next wave of talent.

All three leaders are Vixens training partners, regularly immersed in the elite training environment and continuing to develop their game alongside senior athletes. Their appointments reflect their growing influence, professionalism and ability to lead within high-performance settings.

Each captain continues to make an impact in the Victorian Netball League, with O’Connor representing Geelong Cougars, Caris aligned with Melbourne University Lightning, and Anderson competing for Boroondara Express, further highlighting their presence across the Victorian netball system.

Vixens Academy captain Ally O’Connor said on her appointment as the Vixens Academy captain:

“It’s a huge honour for me to be nominated as captain again and alongside the likes of Zali and Maggie, it’s really exciting to have really intelligent and just good people leading alongside me.”

“I have been lucky enough to watch how Kate Moloney leads the Vixens and arguably she is one of the best if not the best captain in the netball world, so it’s really great for me to be able to watch what she does.”

She excited for the season ahead and to build on her teams’ chemistry.

“I’m really excited, this year we have a bit of a different outlook on our team. I think we are all in the same boat in terms of wanting to win and getting out there and doing our best, but we also want to build each other up.”

The Vixens Academy will open their campaign against West Coast Fever Reserves on Sunday 26 April at 4:30pm at Gold Netball Centre in Perth, aligning with the SSN fixture in a key opening-round clash.

View the SN Reserves fixture