Netball
9 June, 2026
Van Zyl flourishing at Laharum
After a breakout 2025 season, rising star Ilze Van Zyl has put the Horsham District Football Netball League A grade netball competition on notice, leading all scorers through eight rounds in 2026.
The Laharum goal attack has scored 291 goals from eight games, and along with teammate Caitlin Jones-Story, who is second in the competition with 241 goals, has helped elevate the undefeated Demons to premiership favourites.
While pleased to be the leading goalscorer, Van Zyl said she is benefiting from the team's strong performances.
“Being the top goal scorer obviously feels nice, but it's definitely a team effort,” she said.
“Our midcourters and defenders work just as hard to get the ball down to both Cato and I to be able to do our jobs as goalies.
“We've worked really hard with everybody, including our new recruits, like Jaspa (Robinson), and Hannah (Plazzer) coming into A grade.
“Being on top of the ladder halfway through the season shows it is a team effort rather than just an individual achievement.”
The 17-year-old is taking her success in her stride, but it’s hard to undersell the progression Van Zyl has made.
As well as being a part of numerous Wimmera Mallee and Horsham District representative teams in recent years, Van Zyl was selected into Netball Victoria’s Northern Zone Talent Academy in late 2024 before being selected into Netball Victoria’s under-17 top 50 squad last year.
Having been a key contributor off the bench for Rupanyup’s A grade side in 2025, the teenager helped the Panthers win their first-ever senior netball premiership, winning best on court for her grand final performance.
Asked how she maintains her motivation and composure amid her various commitments, including being a member of the Bendigo Strikers emerging squad, Van Zyl said she thrives on the responsibility of being a goalie.
“Whether it’s rep netball, club netball or social netball, to have that extra responsibility of getting your goals in, is motivation enough for me,” she said.
“I'm very passionate about netball, so it's something I enjoy doing and like spending time on.
“Being the best I can be and giving my team the best opportunity, that motivates me.”
The youngster’s accolades and goal-scoring ability would have you think she has always been a star shooter, but the Laharum goal attack admits it has taken a lot of drive and hard work to get to this position.
“Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a shooter,” Van Zyl said.
“Playing at Horsham, I didn't get a lot of opportunities to play as a shooter; I was usually playing in the midcourt or in defence.
“So I really worked on my shots for the one day I would get the opportunity to play shooter, perform the best I can and continue to get more opportunities.
“From the one time in under 13s I got the opportunity, I got more and more, and from there I kept practicing and practicing to get even better so I can stabilise my position as a goal attack.
“I've just always wanted to be a goal attack and really worked hard to try and achieve that.”
The support of her new team, particularly Jones-Story, who was a former school teacher to Van Zyl, has aided the Demons' recruit.
“Sometimes I can get down, but the Laharum team are so uplifting,” she said.
“Even though I could miss a shot or two, the whole team backs me and helps me to keep going.
“Playing with Cato, she's amazing.
“Being able to work with her and have her provide leadership by showing me new stuff I can learn and be better as a goal attack is a big thing in helping me to be better.”
With the obvious goal of helping Laharum to a premiership, Van Zyl said her immediate goals are to improve as much as possible.
“I want to keep on working on myself, improving myself, but also the big goal for this year is winning a premiership for Laharum,” she said.
“Playing with Bendigo has been a great opportunity; I feel I've learned a heap there, particularly in that sense of professional netball.
“Being able to be a part of that and build my skills, and just continue to try and be a better netballer are my aims for this year.”