New generation driving Winchelsea's milestone year
As Round 8 of the 2026 GDFNL netball season approaches, the community at Winchelsea has a lot to be excited about ahead of hosting Interleague and celebrating 150 years.
The A Grade netball squad has started out strong, currently sitting at fourth on the ladder as they prepare to face Anakie this weekend.
The team is full of talent and fresh faces as the team has welcomed their new coach, Maddison McKiernan, to lead them into the 2026 season.
As both a player and the coach of the side, Maddison is enjoying her role at Winchelsea and is excited for what’s to come for the remainder of the season.
“It’s been pretty good. It’s my first time away from a different club and my first time coaching seniors, so it’s been a bit of a challenge, but it’s been really great to come into,” McKiernan said.
The A Grade squad includes a variety of players with different netball backgrounds and experiences, which has allowed the team to grow and develop into a powerful side.
“It’s really good that we’ve got a mix of experience, some younger players, some from VNL and some from an AFL environment,” she continued.
“It’s like a bunch of leaders, so they’re all really great with each other.”
Following her 17&U best and fairest win last year, Monet Drew has debuted in the A Grade team and will play for them again this weekend.
“It’s definitely a good experience,” Drew reflected.
“It’s very different, very fast, but I’m enjoying it and thankful for the opportunity.”
Monet is also the vice captain of the 19&U netball side at Winchelsea, so she will be an exciting addition to the already talented A Grade squad.
Past player, Makayla Bulte, is another key player to look out for as she has made her return to Winchelsea this season.
Makayla was involved in Winchelsea’s 17&U grand final side in 2013 and has since competed at VNL level as well as winning an A Grade premiership last year with the Mornington Peninsula Netball League.
Her strong netball background and Winchelsea roots are what make her an exciting player for A Grade, hoping to support her team in an already successful start to the season.
“It’s sort of like being back home and being back at a club that meant so much to me and my family at that time,” Bulte reflected.
“I played juniors with Meg and Kat, so we’re all back in A Grade this year. It’s really exciting to have that connection back”
Meg Royal is the captain of the A Grade netball team and will also be representing Winchelsea at Interleague next weekend.
She has been enjoying the 2026 season so far but understands that the competition is constantly changing and presenting new challenges.
“You never want to be too complacent for any sides this year. Until you play everyone once, you really don’t know what you’re in for or how they’ve recruited,” Royal explained.
“We’ll be excited to run through our structures.”
As they prepare to face Anakie this weekend, Meg recognises that the last few matches have been competitive but she has confidence in the A Grade side to secure another win.
“We had a loss against Inverleigh, they were a really strong side, and then drew the following week against Bell Post Hill,” she outlined.
“I think it just shows the strength of the competition as well having the top six sides all so close together.”
As the season plays out, the community at Winchelsea is looking forward to celebrating the club’s 150th year anniversary in the coming weeks, an incredible milestone for one of Victoria’s oldest clubs.
Teammates Meg and Makayla have been involved in the club since their junior days, so the milestone is something that means a lot to them and the wider community.
“150 years is incredible,” Bulte expressed.
“To be part of it is so special and it means so much to the town.”
As Meg was selected in the 2026 Interleague side, she is grateful for the opportunity to represent Winchelsea in such an important year for the club and its extensive history.
“To have this milestone, it’s going to be a massive day in a couple of weeks,” Royal concluded.
“I know there’s a committee that’s working really hard to make it a huge day.”
Working alongside the committee is social media manager and player, Emily Wilson, who hopes that the celebrations will bring the community together for such a special occasion.
“We’re doing as much as we can on the socials, but there’s a massive committee behind it, so I have to give them credit,” Wilson concluded.
“They’ve been working day and night to get a good function together.”
Winchelsea’s 150-year anniversary celebrations will be held from June 27-28 at Eastern Reserve.
Until then, the club will focus on its upcoming matchup against Anakie, hoping to secure wins across all grades of netball and football during what is shaping as an exciting season.
