Vixens welcome Cougar star
GEELONG Cougars defender Allie Smith has been selected as a training partner for the Melbourne Vixens for the 2019 season.
Smith and fellow addition Rudi Ellis join Lara Dunkley, Rahni Samason and Newtown star Jacqui Newton as training partners.
These new additions further consolidate the strong link between the Vixens and netballers from the Geelong region.
Melbourne already boasts defensive tall Emily Mannix, Geelong Cougar centre Tayla Honey and former St Joseph’s goaler Tegan Philip in its senior squad
On top of that, head coach Simone McKinnis is arguably Geelong’s greatest netball export.
McKinnis said Smith, a long-time member of Victoria’s elite netball talent pathway programs recently named in the state under-19s side, was a welcome addition to the Vixens roster.
“We’re really pleased to announce these five athletes who will join the squad for 2019,” McKinnis said.
“Rahni, Lara and Jacqui have already been exposed to the Vixens environment this year and have really embraced what the team is about.”
McKinnis was equally complimentary of both Ellis and Smith, “who have impressed us not only on the court but also in their dedication to their own development, which allows them to be a great fit for the Vixens environment”.