Vixens Academy lock in 2026 squad and coaching panel for SN Reserves

The 2026 Vixens Academy team will feature nine athletes alongside nine training partners. The team consists of players from six different Victorian Netball League (VNL) clubs, including Melbourne Vixens training partners Maggie Caris, Mia Lavis, Zali Anderson and Ally O’Connor.

Previously assistant coach Wendy Jacobsen is now set to lead the Vixens Academy program for 2026. A former Melbourne Vixens and Melbourne Pheonix player, her portfolio extends from working in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) level with the Collingwood Magpies, head coach of the Victorian 19/U State team, head coach of the Victorian Fury in the Australian Netball League and Australian Netball Championships, and more recently leading the Boroondara’s Championship Division Team in the VNL.

Jacobsen will be joined by fellow Victorian pathway coach Tegan Hopkins as her assistant coach for 2026, Hopkins is a well-known face in the Victorian pathways system and has previously worked with Melbourne University Lightning in the VNL. This is Hopkins’ second season assisting at the SN Reserves level, previously the assistant coach for the Victorian Fury team in 2024.

This is the second season that the team will compete as the Vixens Academy, reflecting the integration of SN Reserves as a key pathway competition for athletes on the edge of SSN.

The team will consist of several Victorian pathway athletes including Bella Hodgson and Taylah Brown who have both been consistent members of the program. The pair have represented Victoria at the underage level and played for the Victorian Fury.

The experience of Hodgson and Brown is balanced with emerging training partners Kate O’Dwyer and Harriet Gall, with both players being given their first opportunity to represent at an open age level. Gall was a member of the Australian U21 World Youth Cup Squad before unfortunately rupturing her ACL and missing the 2025 season but is now back on track for the 2026 season.

Vixens Academy head coach Wendy Jacobsen said:

“It is an absolute privilege to have been selected as the Head Coach of Vixens Academy and lead these talented athletes. After having a taste of this competition last year as the Assistant Coach I am super excited to take the next step in my coaching pathway to coach at this level.”

“Working with Tegan is a huge asset, her team first mentality knowledge and high expectations of the athletes is a tremendous support to me and the program. We are all learning and growing together.”

Netball Victoria General Manager, High Performance & Pathways Sharelle McMahon said:

“We’re thrilled to have secured Wendy to lead our Super Netball Reserves team in 2026. Her coaching and playing experience are assets to the Academy program as we look to further align with it the Melbourne Vixens.”

“With Super Netball Reserves establishing itself as a key step in our pathway, our 2026 Vixens Academy program will offer another great development opportunity for Victorian athletes.”

2026 VIXENS ACADEMY SQUAD (VNL CLUB)

Zali Anderson (Boroondara Express)*

Taylah Brown (Boroondara Express)

Maggie Caris (Melbourne University Lightning)*

Bella Hodgson (Boroondara Express)

Mia Lavis (Western Warriors)*

Georgia Moody (North East Blaze)

Ally O’Connor (Geelong Cougars)*

Ruby Pekin-Schlicht (Boroondara Express)

Ruby Turner (Bendigo Strikers)

*Melbourne Vixens training partners

Training Partners

Sahara Ball (Boroondara Express)

Indya Forde (Geelong Cougars)

Harriet Gall (Bendigo Strikers)

Tepaea Hobson (Melbourne University Lightning)

Georgie O’Brien (Hawks Netball)

Kate O’Dwyer (Melbourne University Lightning)

Charli Nicol (Geelong Cougars)

Annecy Lyon (North East Blaze)

Casey Dunstan (Peninsula Waves)