The Western Warriors have locked in one of Victoria’s top young goalers for next year’s Victorian Netball League season.
The first of the Warriors signings for next season have started to come through, with Mia Lavis one of the new additions.
The 2025 Melbourne Vixens training partner and Australian under-19 player crosses for the North East Blaze.
Lavis said she was looking for something new and the Warriors seemed to be a really good fit.
“The Warriors are building at the moment and Kim Bailey is an amazing coach,” she said.
“I’m just excited to start fresh next year and get some good netball under my belt.
“Ruby Shannon who is at Warriors was a big factor for me going across there.
“I think some different coaching and new environment was needed, cause I’ve been at Blaze for a couple of years now.
“I loved my time there but it was definitely time for a change and to challenge myself in a new way at Warriors.”
Lavis had an injury riddled 2024 in her first season at the Blaze before stepping into the championship side full time this season.
She said playing VNL gave her an opportunity to play at a really high standard week in, week out.
“The only way you can improve, just putting yourself out there and being challenged by the best players in Victoria,” she said.
“This year was challenging. Obviously last year I didn’t finish out a full season, but it was made easier living in Melbourne now.
“Last year mum and I were travelling down every Wednesday and that definitely took its toll on us.
“It was nice to have the state netball centre just 10 minutes around the corner, get that exposure week in, week out.
“It helped my netball physically and mentally getting used to that environment.”
Lavis said her aim at Warriors was to hopefully lock down the starting goal attack position.
She said playing other positions like wing attack and goal shooter had helped her netball the past couple of years.
Signing with the Warriors caps off a big year for Lavis.
She was named as a Melbourne Vixens training partner and was named in the Vixens game day squad on one occasion.
“It was so surreal it still hasn’t sunk in,” she said. “I haven’t really reflected on 2025 yet. It was such an amazing opportunity to be able to train alongside girls who I’ve watched on tv that I’ve idolised.
“It was such a cool experience for me, something I cherish being able to sit on the bench for the Vixens.”
Lavis recently returned from Canberra where she spent time training with the Australian under-19 squad.
She got to be part of something special.
“I think they were saying it’s a first for Australian netball having the Diamonds and the 21s and the other under age squads there.
“ It was pretty cool to be in that environment. We got to watch diamonds match play it was very cool.”
Also joining Lavis at the Warriors this season is Megan Allen from the United Kingdom and Fionnuala Mckeagney-Stubbs.
North East Blaze’s Kali Dolphin has also joined the Warriors.
