Melbourne Vixens

Melbourne Vixens
ANZ Championship team
Franchise information
Years active	2008–present
Based in	Melbourne, Australia
Region	Victoria
Main venue	State Netball and Hockey Centre
Main sponsor	Jason Bedding
ANZ Championship
Head coach	Julie Hoornweg
Asst coaches	Carol Byers & Cathy Fellows
Co-captains	Bianca Chatfield Sharelle McMahon
Titles won	One (2009)
Best finish	Champions (2009)
2011 finish	5th
Team colours
Official website

The Melbourne Vixens are an Australian netball team in Melbourne that compete in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship. The team were formed in 2007 as an amalgamation of the Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels from the previous Commonwealth Bank Trophy. Sharelle McMahon and Bianca Chatfield have co-captained the side since 2009, under head coach Julie Hoornweg. Home games are played at Hisense Arena and the State Netball and Hockey Centre, both in Melbourne.

The Vixens finished fourth in their first season of the ANZ Championship, led by a strong international lineup. They retained the core of their team in the 2009 season, which the Vixens won by defeating the Adelaide Thunderbirds 54–46 in the grand final. The following year started strongly for the Vixens, before a mid-season slump saw them finish seventh.

History

2008: Inaugural season

For the inaugural season, the Vixens were headlined by internationals Sharelle McMahon, Julie Corletto, Bianca Chatfield, Natasha Chokljat and Abby Sargent and talented emerging stars such as Renae Hallinan, Caitlin Thwaites, Madison Browne, Johannah Curran, Sharni Layton and Ashlee Howard.

At the end of the round-robin matches the Vixens were fourth on the competition ladder, allowing them to progress to the finals stage. They were defeated by the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the minor semi-final, finishing fourth for the season.

2009: Championship winners

In 2009, the team was headlined by internationals Sharelle McMahon, Julie Corletto, Bianca Chatfield, Natasha Chokljat and Ama Agbeze and talented emerging stars such as Renae Hallinan, Caitlin Thwaites, and Ashlee Howard. The Vixens finished the 2009 season as champions, defeating the Adelaide Thunderbirds by 54–46.

2010: Title defence

The Vixens start their premiership defence campaign on the 22nd March 2010. Their motto for 2010 is 'Strength to Strength'. The Vixens have introduced a competition first, introducing the Melbourne Vixens Cheer Squad in early march.

In the Vixens' first match against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, they unveiled their premiership flag to their fans, and reflected their near flawless 2009 campaign, which saw them win the 2009 ANZ Championship.

Although the Vixens won their first 5 matches, they lost their next 7, ending their dream of back-to-back premierships. The Vixens broke their losing streak in the last round of the season, beating the championship cellar dwellars, Central Pulse

The team was headlined by internationals Sharelle McMahon, Julie Corletto, Bianca Chatfield, Natasha Chokljat and Renae Hallinan and talented emerging stars such as Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Caldwell.

The co-captain, and one of the world's best netballers Sharelle McMahon took out the Best and Fairest award.

In August 2010 Vixens Centre Court Player Wendy Jones (nee Jacobsen) announced her retirement from the Vixens.

2011 season

Planning for season 2011 is underway, as the season starts in early 2011. One major move has already been made from the Vixens, signing 193 cm shooter and Australian Diamond Kate Beveridge, and also the welcoming back of 2008 Vixen Madison Browne and 2009 Vixen Sarah Wall. The Vixens also provided the shock signing of the season, signing former Adelaide Thunderbirds goal keeper and English international Geva Mentor.^[1]

Veteran Natasha Chokljat and young shooter Caitlin Thwaites have left the Vixens. Chokljat has left for the Southern Steel and Thwaites for the Central Pulse.

The team is headlined by internationals Sharelle McMahon, Julie Corletto, Bianca Chatfield, Renae Hallinan, Madison Browne, Kate Beveridge and Geva Mentor and talented emerging stars such as Sarah Wall, Micaela Wilson and Tegan Caldwell.

During the 8th Round first match the Vixens played Queensland firebirds and Co-Captain Sharelle McMahon went down with a serious ankle injury- ruptured Achilles tendon. She had surgery the following day cutting her out of contention of the Vixens season and the 2011 World Champs. Many members of the State and the nation have joined together in a pursuit to get the star to continue. ^[2]

2012 season

International Renae Hallinan has departed to the Adelaide Thunderbirds and Kathleen Knott has also left. Former team member Kara Richards returns from the Thunderbirds and talented young Victorian Fury shooter Karyn Bailey makes her debut. ^{[3] [4]}

Players

2012 Melbourne Vixens rosterview · talk · edit
Players	Coaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height Kate Beveridge GS, GA 25-07-1985 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Madison Browne WA, C 05-01-1988 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) Tegan Caldwell GA, GS 03-09-1988 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) Bianca Chatfield (cc) GK, GD 02-04-1982 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) Julie Corletto GD, GK, WD 31-10-1986 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Karyn Howarth (née Bailey) GS, GA 28-07-1986 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) Sharelle McMahon (cc) GA, GS 12-08-1977 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) Geva Mentor GK, GD 17-09-1984 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Kara Richards GD, GK 25-01-1988 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Chelsey Tregear WA, C, GA 07-10-1983 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) Sarah Wall WA, C 16-10-1984 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) Micaela Wilson GK, GD 03-04-1992 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)	Head coach Julie Hoornweg Assistant coaches Carol Byers Cathy Fellows Manager: Bree McDonald Physiotherapist: Steve Hawkins Notes (c) – Captain (cc) – Co-captain (vc) – Vice-captain – Injury / maternity leave (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles: Team website • ANZC website	Last updated: 8 November 2011

• Karyn Bailey is in the team list as Karyn Howarth as she is marrying in 2012 and will be using her married name.

Franchise

Naming and colours

The team are known as the Vixens, a play on the word Victoria. Their brand colours are green, crimson, black and navy. The following quote, from the Vixens' website, explains the colour choice^[5]:

"The colours of green and crimson were chosen to reflect that of a female, youthful and dynamic team. The colour of black conveys a sense of sophistication, authority and power. The colour of navy blue represents Victoria’s rich history of success at the elite sports level, a State with proud and active communities that will continue to support netball as we pursue our future triumphs."

Like the Adelaide Thunderbirds, NSW Swifts and the West Coast Fever, the Vixens have aligned themselves with an AFL club, in this case Collingwood.^[6]

Team song

In 2009, as a way to bond the team, the Vixens created a team song, titled 'We Are The Vixens'. The players came up with the lyrics themselves, with help from a company called Muso Magic. These are the lyrics:

You want the best, Here we are, We'll give it all right now.
We're here to win, Come with us
We're gonna show you how Stand up, Be proud, Shout it out loud We are the Vixens, No one stands in our way, Power together
Stronger in every way, As one We wear it true, Navy blue, That's what we're all about
Victoria, Feel the pride. And let the fox come out One team, One dream, Shout it out loud We are the Vixens, No one stands in our way, Power together
Stronger in every way, As one Power, Power together, Power as one, Power, Power together
Vixens! One team, One dream, Shout it out loud We are the Vixens, No one stands in our way, Power together
Stronger in every way, As one

In 2011 on their first home game against the West Coast Fever the Vixens released their remixed version of the theme song.

Venues

The Vixens play their home games at two Melbourne stadiums: Hisense Arena and the State Netball and Hockey Centre.

Championship record

• 2008: 1st of 10
• 2009: 1st of 10
• 2010: 1st of 10
• 2011: 1st of 10
• 2012: 1st of 10
• 2013: 1st of 10
• 2014: 1st of 10
• 2015: 1st of 10

Membership Numbers

• 2008:
• 2009: 576
• 2010: 1034
• 2011: 1910* (*so far)

Awards

BEST & FAIREST

• 2011: Sharelle McMahon
• 2010: Sharelle McMahon
• 2009: Sharelle McMahon
• 2008: Sharelle McMahon

BEST & FAIREST RUNNER-UP

• 2011: Bianca Chatfield
• 2010: Biance Chatfield
• 2009: Bianca Chatfield
• 2008: Bianca Chatfield

BEST CLUB PERSON

• 2011: Sharelle McMahon
• 2010: Sharelle McMahon
• 2009: Sharelle McMahon
• 2008: Sharelle McMahon

EXCELLENCE IN LIFE AND SPORT AWARD

• 2011: Sharelle McMahon
• 2010: Sharelle McMahon
• 2009: Sharelle McMahon
• 2008: Sharelle Mcmahon

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

• 2011: Maddison Browne
• 2010: Maddison Browne
• 2009: Maddison Browne
• 2008: Maddison Browne

COACHES AWARD

• 2011: Sharelle McMahon
• 2010: Bianca Chatfield
• 2009: Bianca Chatfield
• 2008: Sharelle McMahon

PLAYER OF THE FINALS

• 2011: Sharelle McMahon
• 2010: Sharelle McMahon
• 2009: Bianca Chatfield
• 2008: Sharelle McMahon

References

1. ^ Williams, Rebecca (16 September 2010). "Dynamic signing for Melbourne Vixens". Herald Sun. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/dynamic-signing-for-melbourne-vixens/story-e6frf9if-1225924181159. Retrieved 26 September 2010. 
2. ^ Aston, Helen (5 April 2011). "Come Back Shazza!!!". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_195251890514132&id=195328457173142&notif_t=like. Retrieved 5 April 2011. 
3. ^ http://www.melbournevixens.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=241
4. ^ http://www.anz-championship.com/assets/2012ANZChampionship-final-squads.pdf
5. ^ Melbourne Vixens - Netball Victoria’s ANZ Championship Team
6. ^ Netball Victoria - News

External links

• Official website

Sporting positions
Preceded by New South Wales Swifts	ANZ Championship winners 2009	Succeeded by Adelaide Thunderbirds