Tara Murray
The Sunbury Lions return to the A-grade competition in the Ballarat Netball League has received a massive boost with the signing of a former Melbourne Vixens championship winning player.
The Lions announced on Tuesday that Tayla Honey would be part of a new look Lions outfit next season.
Honey was part of the Vixens squad for the 2019-20 seasons including the 2020 title, while she’s been a training partner in a number of other seasons.
Last year she played in the Vitality Netball Superleague in England.
Lions’ coach Kim Bailey was thrilled that Honey was joining the club.
“It’s good to have a marquee player signed and hopefully it’ll be that encouragement to get some other players on board,” she said.
“We’re talking to a number of people and we thought Tayla would be a good fit. She lives in Keilor so it works out really well.
“I don’t think she had even thought about footy-netball until we spoke to her about it.”
Bailey said getting someone in like Honey would provide not only excitement, but that experience to help the younger players group. The Lions didn’t have an A-grade side this year after the departure of a number of players.
She said so many younger girls knew who she was.
“She’ll come and teach those girls some things as well,” she said.
“Someone like Tayla attracts players. It’s a strong start and we’ll look at adding a few more players and we have trials set for November and December.
Having been part of the BNL for many years, Bailey said the signing of Honey would be one of the bigger signings in the competition in her time.
The Lions are set to announce the signings of two more players this week.
While the Lions have added three key pieces, central to what the Lions is doing is ensuring local players have a place to go.
“We are trying to get girls back to the club,” she said. “The girls left the club two years ago and we would like them to come back.
“We know some are settled at their new clubs where they are, but that they are always welcome back to the club.”
Bailey said there had been a bit of interest since her appointment, along with that of Stacey West who will coach the B and C-grade sides.
West works for Netball Australia as the executive general manager of performance.
“There’s a lot of local girls coming back,” Bailey said. “Some that have not played for a few years who are coming back for the trials.
“We’re confident we can get all six sides up and running.”
The Lions trials are on November 24 and December 1.
Details: 0459 642 271
