Sport
10 July, 2026
Local netballers named in state pathway program
Six MCDFNL junior netballers have been recognised by Netball Victoria as future superstars, invited to participate in the 2027 Talent Identification program.
Avoca’s Shayla Blair and Phoebe Porter, Dunolly’s Mia Schodde, Maldon’s Damika Carroll, Natte Bealiba’s Evie Ross and Newstead’s Scarlett Ramsey are among a talented crop of juniors welcomed to trial for the Netball Victoria Talent Academy and Victorian 17 and under and 19 and under state programs.
While superstar shooter Ramsey was selected after playing in this year’s state titles for the Northern region, Blair, Porter, Schodde, Carroll and Ross were all key contributors to the MCDFNL’s 15 and under representative team that recently went on a historic run at Netball Victoria’s Association Championships.
Against teams from Ballarat, Warrnambool, Hampden and Central Highlands, the MCDFNL’s 15 and under’s reached the Grand Final of last May’s Western Association Championship, securing a place in last month’s prestigious Association Championships Finals Day.
As they competed against some of the best junior representative teams in the state, the MCDFNL’s selected quintet were assessed by talent scouts and earned Talent Identification.
Blair, Porter, Schodde, Carroll and Ross were among the 59 juniors selected to participate in the Western region trials to be held at Ballarat’s Selkirk Stadium on Sunday, November 22.
MCDFNL’s netball operations manager, Katrina Turner, said the league is ecstatic to see some of its most promising junior netballers earn this distinguished achieve-ment.
“It is fantastic for the MCDFNL. This is the first year we’ve had this many girls identified in the 15 and under age group,” she said.
“It’s a big plus for us. We were all definitely shocked to have that many girls receive Talent Identi-fication.
“I’m hoping this really inspires our junior girls for next year to try out for our representative squads.
“I also hope everyone comes and watches these girls during finals because this is the future of the MCDFNL. These are the ones that we’re going to watch in years to come.”
MCDFNL Talent Identification Netballers
- Shayla Blair — Avoca: Arguably the most promising of the emerging junior netballers selected locally. Shayla Blair is quickly drawing comparisons to her mother and Avoca’s 550 game club legend Stacey Blair. A versatile netballer who can excel in any position, Shayla recently made her A grade debut alongside Stacey, holding her own at wing defence against A grade powerhouse Carisbrook.
- Damika Carroll — Maldon: Damika Carroll was the superstar centre of Maldon’s outstanding 15 and under squad last year that finished with a 15-1 regular season record. Alongside her continued 15 and under duties, Carroll’s pinpoint accuracy and tireless workrate are valued contributions to the Bombers’ 18 and under team that currently sits third on the ladder.
- Phoebe Porter — Avoca: Phoebe Porter has been a staple of the MCDFNL representative program for several years as a developing shooter. After scoring 253 goals in Avoca’s 15 and under premiership winning team last year, finishing fourth in the league’s top goal-scorers, Porter has been even more deadly under the net in 2026, scoring at least 20 goals in her last three appearances.
- Scarlett Ramsey — Newstead: After being Talent Identified for 2026, game-changing shooter Scarlett Ramsey was back on scouts radar for her performance at March’s State Finals for the Northern district. It’s another outstanding achieve-ment for the 2025 MCDFNL’s 13 and under best and fairest, who’s been the star of Newstead’s stellar junior program.
- Evie Ross — Natte Bealiba: With her strong drives down the court and consistently precise entry passing, Evie Ross is any shooters best friend. While she has predominately played goal attack this year, scoring 83 goals alongside fellow rising star Annika Ross, Evie has also excelled at goal defence and centre when called upon for Natte Bealiba’s 15 and under team.
- Mia Schodde — Dunolly: Competing in multiple national junior athletics championships in the high jump, Mia Schodde is an exceptional athlete. As a netballer, Schodde is a swiss army knife, already making sporadic appearances for Dunolly’s A grade team at goal attack and goal defence, where her reading of the play and interception skills really shine.