THE announcement of Victorian Netball League (VNL) squads for the 2020 season has reignited questions about what the North Central region needs to do to have its own team.
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Fifteen of the region's players have won a place in either open or 19-and-under squads in the state league competition for next season.
It is believed others did not make themselves available for trials due to demographic and financial constraints.
Among those selected in the teams, finalised on the weekend, are seven members of the BFNL's open inter-league team from this season, led by reigning Betty Thompson medallist Ashley Ryan, her sister Abbey, Kangaroo Flat's 2019 season best and fairest Chelsea Sartori, Sandhurst's triple premiership star Meg Williams, Gisborne's Maddy Stewart (also a Betty Thompson Medal winner) and Clare Vearing, and South Bendigo young gun Chloe Langley.
They are joined by 2018 season VNL championship division premiership player Zoe Davies, 2019 division one team of the year representative Ruby Barkmeyer, Kyneton's Claire Oakley, and a host of the BFNL's brightest emerging stars in Sandhurst's Sophie Shoebridge, Dragons team-mate Ruby Turner, and Keara Fitzgerald, Olivia Rodda and Charlotte Crook (all from Gisborne).
The strong North Central representation has reignited calls from prominent netball identities, including Gill Davey, for the region to be granted a VNL licence.
"With 15 girls in squads, surely we have got enough talent to field two teams," she said.
"If they let us start with two teams - an under-19 and a division one - even though we have girls like Ashley Ryan playing at that championship level - and build from there, the talent is here.
"VNL fees are astronomical, so our poor country girls are paying big bucks, plus their travel costs.
"If we can take some of those factors away and let the girls train here and play games here, they would be far better off."
A consortium, backed by the City of Greater Bendigo, La Trobe University and Bendigo Stadium Limited, last sought a VNL licence in 2018, but was knocked back by Netball Victoria.
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The lone new licence in the 10-team competition was granted to Casey Demons, with Ballarat Sovereigns, which participated in the league for four seasons (2015-18) being stripped of its licence.
The competition features only one regional team, Geelong Cougars.
It was the North Central consortium's preference to not just secure its own licence, but to have Ballarat remain in the competition, to give the league a stronger regional presence.
Davey said there was no doubt some of the region's did not seek selection in the VNL due to travel and financial concerns.
"Definitely ... if (players), especially younger one, don't have the parental support or financial support than they won't trial," she said.
"And we have the facilities too with the Bendigo Stadium ... they could easily play VNL games here, but they won't.
"We have top-class facilities to train the girls, so that shouldn't be an issue."
Despite Netball Victoria last year awarding 10 licences for the 2019-23 seasons. The consortium continues to meet monthly in the hope of gaining entry into the state league in time for the 2021 season.
Davey, who is not part of the consortium working group, said the flow on benefits of a VNL team in the region would be substantial and felt not just by players, but coaches and umpires.
"The demand, as you can see with the number of players from here committing to VNL, is strong, and the continued support from sponsors, businesses and our netball communities is immense," she said.
"It's such an important pathway for our best netballers.
"The demand is too great to give up on this. - it's too big to let go of.
"Our athletes deserve to have this opportunity supported in their own communities, with their families and support from their local associations.
"It's also an opportunity for our coaches and umpires to develop."
The consortium's 2018 submission came with backing from former Bendigo Suncorp Super Netball star and Australian Diamonds stalwart Caitlin Thwaites.
"It would be a really big thing for Bendigo. I guess a lot of players are already doing it and doing it off their own bat without having a team involved, but it's made that bit harder," she told the Bendigo Advertiser last September.
"It would be great pushing forward with a team, there are so many players that have reached the top level that have come from this region.
"It makes a lot of sense to be able to support those players who want to pursue it as a pathway."
A stellar 2019 VNL season for North Central players included premiership wins for Williams in division one for North East Blaze and Langley in 19-and-under with City West Falcons, and league team of the year selections for Barkmeyer in division one and Shoebridge and Fitzgerald in 19-and-under.
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