SOUTH Bendigo has continued to bolster its squad ahead of the 2022 BFNL season with the signing of VNL player Chloe Gray.
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The versatile youngster, who will line up with Southern Saints in the Victorian Netball League next season, makes her way to the Bloods after playing with Riddell District league club Wallan during 2021.
More netball: Gisborne lures star young goal attack Claudia Mawson
Gray capped a stellar year with the RDFNL Magpies by being selected in the league's team of the year at wing attack.
She also plays goal attack.
Gray is the second new recruit to be announced by the Bloods, who will be aiming to make the leap into the top three next season, after finishing fifth in 2019 and ending the 2021 home and away season in fourth position.
South Bendigo coach Jannelle Hobbs said she was rapt to have Gray on board, particularly with her previous VNL experience.
"We are very lucky to be able to pick up a player with her credentials and experience," she said.
"She's a wing attack, but also plays goal attack and will be playing at Southern Saints in the VNL after previously playing for Casey Demons.
"We're every excited to have a player of that calibre coming to South.
"Chloe is obviously a major piece in our puzzle."
Hobbs, who is entering her fifth season as coach, said the Bloods had been fortunate to lure the Melbourne-based Gray to Harry Trott Oval.
The dual BFNL premiership coach foreshadowed a few more A-grade and A-squad signings over the coming days.
"We feel we are putting a strong squad together - we are obviously done and dusted with our tryouts, but we just need to put the finishing touches on things," she said.
"I feel things are coming together.
"To have the likes of Alicia McGlashan and Jamie Lee-Clohesy (who is returning after a season off in 2021) with their experience and now Chloe among our young and developing players, we feel we have a good blend of experience and younger players.
"It's something we probably didn't have last season with pretty much a young team."
The Bloods won six of their 10 games played during the shortened 2021 season and had qualified for finals in all five grades of BFNL netball before the season was cancelled.
Gray's signing continues the influx of VNL experienced talent into the league for next season.
Gisborne has been strengthened by the recruitment of Melbourne University Lightning goal attack Claudia Mawson, while a major recruiting haul for Castlemaine includes former Collingwood Magpies training partner Kelsie Rainbow, one-time New South Wales Swifts player Mikaela Vaughan and Maddy Carter, all with state-league experience.
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