Netball
15 August, 2025
Clode, Van Zyl make Vic netball squads
Horsham Saints’ Jorja Clode and Rupanyup’s Ilze Van Zyl have been named in Netball Victoria’s top-50 squads ahead of the 2026 Australian Netball Championships.
Clode has been named in the under 19 squad while Van Zyl is part of the under 17s.
Clode, a goal shooter, previously made the top-25 under 19 squad last year and said she was pleased to be in the running for the state team again.
“Last year I didn't make it and I was a bit disappointed in myself so this year I really wanted to see how far I could go and, yeah, I'm happy with myself,” Clode said.
The selection continues another strong year for Clode, who has impressed for both the Horsham Saints in the Wimmera Football Netball League and the Bendigo Strikers’ under 23 side in the Victorian Netball League.
Clode leads goalscoring in the Wimmera league’s A grade netball with 626 goals and shot 89 per cent in her season with the Strikers.
The shooter says she is happy with how her season has progressed after managing a back injury earlier in the year.
“My year was a bit disrupted with the Strikers because I had a back issue,” Clode said.
“Coming back into it was a little bit rocky but by the end of the year it was great to see the progression.
"The team was feeding me the ball quite easily and I was presenting better to the team.”
After making Netball Victoria’s Talent Academy last year, Van Zyl’s progression to the top 50 continues her rise in netball.
The youngster, whose preferred position is goal attack, credits her experience in Rupanyup’s A grade side in the Horsham District Football Netball League in helping her progression.
“It’s unreal, it’s good,” Van Zyl said.
“Playing with those girls, it’s really helped me because it’s a whole different level of intensity.
“I really feel like my gameplay has improved because it's so much quicker and it's pushed me to make better passes and to work harder.”
Clode and Van Zyl will continue trials this weekend, where the squads will be cut down to 25, before training later in the year takes place before the final teams for the national championships are selected.
Both Clode and Van Zyl acknowledged the high level of talent in their respective squads and said they were hopeful of progressing further in the selection process.
“It's just about putting my best on the court and just seeing what happens,” Clode said.
“There's just so much talent on the court that it really could go anywhere.”
“Getting to the top 50, I'm just proud,” Van Zyl said.
“I'm so grateful that I got the opportunity to go try out.
“Obviously progressing would be amazing, but if not it's still a great experience and a great opportunity to play with talented players."