2026 BFNL Rising Star Award | Netball Finalists
The BFNL is proud to announce the finalists for our 2026 Bart n Print Netball Rising Star.
The BFNL Rising Star Award recognises the league's most promising young netball talent, highlighting their outstanding achievements, consistency, sportsmanship and potential.
Eligible players are nominated by clubs with all nominees showcased on BFNL social media and in our weekly BFNL Record in the lead up to BFNL Finals.
Nominees are shared with an independent panel of three netball experts who rank their top-6 nominees as finalists.
A winner of the 2026 Bart n Print Netball Rising Star will be announced at our Michelsen Thompson Pre-Count livestream on Monday 7 September.
With an honour roll that includes names like Sexton, Barkmeyer, and Stewart, the BFNL Rising Star Award is a true indicator for future success.
View the full list of previous winners HERE.
Congratulations to our six finalists - Harriett Whiteacre (Sandhurst), Lacey Broad (Golden Square), Olivia Henderson (Castlemaine), Peyton Chambers (Kangaroo Flat), Phoebe Priest (Gisborne) & Shayla White (Broadford).
Harriett Whiteacre - Sandhurst FNC
Harriett has developed into one of Sandhurst's most reliable young defenders through her outstanding game sense, composure and athleticism.
A clever and tenacious defender, Whiteacre reads the play exceptionally well, times her intercepts with precision and uses her speed, agility and closing pressure to consistently disrupt opposition attacks.
Her strong performances have been recognised through selection in the 2024 BFNL Under 17 Representative Team, the North Central Representative Team in both 2023 and 2024, and the Victorian Under 19 Elevate Program.
She has also earned a place in the Bendigo Strikers 23 & Under Squad, highlighting her continued development and exciting potential at the next level.
Lacey Broad - Golden Square FNC
Since moving to Golden Square in 2026, Lacey has continued to establish herself as one of the region's most exciting young goalers, combining strength, accuracy and a commanding presence in the goal circle.
Playing with maturity and composure beyond her years, Broad is equally effective as a strong holding shooter or a dynamic moving option, making her a versatile attacking weapon.
Her outstanding achievements include back-to-back MCDFNL A Grade Team of the Year selections (2024 and 2025), the 2025 Maryborough Giants A Grade and Under 17 Best and Fairest awards, selection in the 2025 MCDFNL Under 17 Interleague team, runner-up in the 2025 MCDFNL A Grade leading goal scorer with 923 goals, and inclusion in the Bendigo Strikers Under 19 Reserves/Emerging Squad for the 2026 VNL season.
Olivia Henderson - Castlemaine FNC
Olivia has become a valued young talent through her versatility, leadership and selfless approach to the game.
Quick across the court with an excellent ability to read the play, Henderson transitions seamlessly from a tight defensive role into attack, where her accurate shooting and strong connection with teammates make her a consistent performer around the goal ring.
A respected club member, she regularly puts the needs of her team ahead of her own, often sacrificing her preferred position to ensure all sides are fielded.
Her contribution was recognised as part of Castlemaine's A Reserve runner-up Best & Fairest in 2025, and she continues to demonstrate the qualities of an emerging leader within the club.
Peyton Chambers - Kangaroo Flat FNC
Peyton has quickly established herself as an exciting young goaler for Kangaroo Flat, combining composure under pressure with accuracy and a strong presence in the circle.
A reliable target who consistently provides an option for her teammates, Chambers plays with a maturity well beyond her years and has demonstrated the ability to remain composed in important moments.
Her talent has already been recognised through selection in the 2026 BFNL Under 17 Representative Team before being talent identified at Association Championships.
A talented local product with plenty of potential, Chambers has a bright future ahead and is one to watch as her netball career continues to develop.
Phoebe Priest - Gisborne FNC
Phoebe has emerged as one of Gisborne's most exciting young attacking prospects, combining exceptional shooting accuracy with outstanding leadership and composure.
A strong holding shooter, Priest presents consistently, creates reliable options in attack and is renowned for her ability to convert accurately from long range, even under intense pressure.
Her excellent ball handling, precise passing and ability to read the play allow her to create scoring opportunities for both herself and her teammates, while her strong communication and on-court leadership make her an influential presence in the goal circle.
Phoebe's talent has been recognised through selection in the Victorian Top 50 Under 17 Squad in 2025 and the Melbourne University Lightning VNL Academy, before progressing to the Western Warriors VNL Reserves in 2026.
Her continued development at the representative level highlights her outstanding potential and bright future in the game.
Shayla White - Broadford FNC
Shayla has established herself as one of Broadford's most dependable young defenders, combining courage, composure and an outstanding ability to read the play.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, White regularly takes on some of the competition's strongest goalers and thrives in the contest, while her work ethic and willingness to learn have accelerated her development into a reliable senior player well beyond her years.
Her impressive rise began with an A Grade debut against Warburton in 2023 at just 14 years of age, followed by the club's Under 17 Runner-up Best and Fairest award that same year.
In 2024 she claimed Broadford's 17&U Best and Fairest during the NFNL season, before reaching the significant milestone of 50 senior games at just 17 years of age in 2026—an outstanding achievement that highlights her consistency, dedication and maturity.
