By Tara Murray
At just 16, new Macedon goaler Chloe Eyre has achieved more in her netball career than many others do in a lifetime.
Having started playing netball when she was seven, Eyre has played across a number of teams and competitions since then.
Her 2024 included making her Riddell District Netball League A-grade debut and she was part of the first Victorian First Nations team which participated at the national championships.
Eyre’s performances caught the eye of selectors and she was named in the First Nations national team, the Black Swans for 2025.
“It was pretty unexpected, especially being under-23s,” she said. “I see it as such a privilege and I’m so grateful.
“I didn’t think it would happen at this age.”
Eyre said making the inaugural Victorian First Nations team was exciting in itself.
She said it was the first time she had been involved with the cultural side of her Indigenous background.
She is a Wamba Wamba woman, and she said her mum’s nan being full blood Indigenous.
“It was really exciting and I learned about it and things like smoking ceremonies,” Eyre said. “I was excited to be around it and do something like that. To be part of the first Victorian Indigenous team was amazing.”
Eyre said the First Nations team had been meeting on Zoom weekly and would have a tournament in February, the 2025 PacificAus Sports Netball Series.
She said she was excited for the opportunity.
The selection caps off a big 12 months for Eyre.
The Sunbury resident was part of the 50-player Victorian under-17 state squad for the national championships.
She also made her A-grade debut for Melton Centrals which was another challenge. She had been playing junior netball for Lancefield previously.
“It was really fun,” she said. “I learned a lot playing against women and got a bit stronger.
“I wasn’t expecting to make the A-grade team. I was expecting to play B-grade or something.”
Eyre was also part of the City West Falcons development program.
This year will be a year of change for the goaler, who models her game on Australian Diamond Kiera Austin.
She will play with Macedon in the RDNL competition.
“They offered me an A-grade spot after seeing me play with Melton Centrals,” she said. “I have a family friend playing at the club as well.”
Eyre has also earned her first Victorian Netball League contract, signing with the Boroondara Express’ under-23 side.
She said she was shocked to earn a spot in that team at only 16.
“I almost cried,” she said. “I’m looking forward to learning off them all, there’s a lot of older goalers.”
As for where she wants to take her netball?
“I want to take it as far as I can on court,” Eyre said.
