Ryan, set for her second VNL season, has been promoted as 19/under co-captain alongside fellow defender Molly Boyle.

The 18-year-old is one of four Wimmera netballers ready to represent UB Pride this season.

Mikayla George of Beulah is in the division one team with Edenhope-Apsley’s Emma Ryan and Laura McDonald joining Hopetoun’s Brylee Schache in the 19/unders.

“I was pretty surprised to be named captain,” Ryan said.

“This year we just want to win as many games as we can, our number-one aim is to play finals,” Ryan said.

“We’ve got a pretty good team, so hopefully we can.”

On court she will be reunited with former Edenhope-Apsley teammate McDonald.

“It’ll be nice to play with Laura again,” Ryan said.

Ryan, who relocated to Ballarat last week, will combine playing with studying physical education teaching at university this season.

The defender said her long-term goal was to continue to play netball at state level.

“I was asked to try out for the championship division but I didn’t think I was ready. I wanted another year in the 19s,” she said.

Pride 19/unders have started strong in pre-season matches and look to build momentum into the season.

The division one team has also made a good start to its pre-season and George was hopeful of big things to come.

This will be her second season in division one.

George missed the second half of the season last year with a broken arm.