Vice Captain of the Melbourne Vixens, Em Mannix has become one of the leagues most feared defenders.
Emily Mannix, a St Leondard's local, made her Vixens debut in 2015, and impressed despite having limited opportunities.
Learning from two of the best defenders in the business, Bianca Chatfield and Geva Mentor, Mannix’s time, patience and learning abilities prepared her to make an impact out on court.
Rewarded for her outstanding season, Mannix finished runner-up in the 2017 Sharelle McMahon Medal, and made her Samsung Australian Diamonds debut.
Mannix and her Vixens partner in defence, Jo Weston, are no strangers, playing much of their state underage netball together. In a demonstration of the pair's connection on court, the two also performed like a well oiled machine in the defensive circle for Australia in the international test series.
Her constant perseverance and hard work paid off in 2019 where she received the 2019 Sharelle McMahon Medal as the Vixens MVP.
Mannix is set to take another step in 2020, named as the Vixens Vice Captain for the upcoming season.
Individual Awards and Achievements:
Where did you grow up?
Drysdale
What was your Junior Club?
Drysdale Football Netball Club
What was your original VNL/State League Club?
City West Falcons
What's the best thing about playing for the Melbourne Vixens?
The amazing people involved
What is your greatest achievement on or off the court?
Winning a chin up contest when I was about ten years old
How old were you when you started playing Netball?
Six years old
What position(s) did originally play?
GS (Goal Shooter), GA (Goal Attack) and C (Centre)
Who has had the biggest influence on your netball career and why?
My parents. Would have to catch a lot of public transport if they weren't willing to drive me around
What's the best piece of advice you've received?
Have confidence to be myself - on and off the court
Who is your role model?
My mum - not sure how she raised us 4 kids... I guess dad helped
What are you scared of?
Being eaten by a shark
Which AFL team do you support?
North Melbourne
What is the most memorable moment in your life to date?
Being signed to the Vixens for the 2015 season and beyond
What's your favourite holiday destination?
I went to the US last year - it was a ripper trip
Do you have any pre-game ritual(s)?
Waving to my family in the crowd
Finish this sentence - If I wasn't playing for the Vixens, I would be...?
A police officer
Favourite netball athlete of all time?
Kate Moloney
What's your favourite food?
Homemade woodoven pizza
What's your favourite movie?
The Longest Yard
What's your go to Karaoke song?
Downtown - Macklemore
What's the best concert you've been to?
Mumford & Sons
What can't you live without?
My eczema cream
What do you like to do when you are not training or playing Netball?
Camping, going for walks and seeing family and friends
What's your best tip for a young netballer?
Try lots of positions
What's your favourite netball drill?
Any full court team drill - where some rest is involved
Fun fact about you?
Myself and three other netballers saved someone's life in Italy by pulling them safety, after they fell from a cliff