The Melbourne Vixens’ three-month search for a new head coach is finally over with assistant Di Honey promoted to replace Simone McKinnis.
Honey has sat alongside McKinnis for more than a decade, after starting at the Vixens back in 2014.
She’s been part of the club’s premiership successes in 2014, 2020 and the most recent title won earlier this month over the West Coast Fever.
“Di is a person of outstanding character who has already made a significant and positive contribution to the Vixens,“ Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman.
“What became increasingly apparent through a thorough recruitment process is that she is also the right person to lead the next phase of success at the Vixens, starting with their title defence in 2026.”
The club said Honey beat “a competitive and world-class shortlist of candidates from both Australia and overseas” to secure the job, which went up for grabs when McKinnis announced she was stepping down back in May.
That mid-season announcement would go on to spark the Vixens in their premiership run, with players sending McKinnis out on a high.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with such a brilliant group of athletes who also happen to be great people, which makes my job that much easier,” Honey said.
“As the reigning champions we will go into next year as the hunted, so we are going to have to be more committed and work harder than ever before – although I am a firm believer in having some fun along the way.
“I’m looking forward to putting my own stamp on how we go about maintaining the high standards this club has set for itself over many years, so the Vixens can continue to enjoy success now and for seasons to come.”
Honey’s appointment leaves just one head coach position vacant in Super Netball heading into 2026, with the Melbourne Mavericks yet to announce who will replace Tracey Neville.
Earlier, the Giants have signed their assistant Nerida Stewart as head coach Julie Fitzgerald’s replacement for next season.
The decision to announce Honey as the head coach continues the Vixens charge into 2026 with a mostly unchanged line up.
Only Emily Mannix returns from maternity leave, with young defender Maggie Caris expected to slot back into a training partner role.
“The selection panel, led by Vixens General Manager Sharelle McMahon, was impressed by Di’s deep commitment to supporting our pathway teams and competitions, so we can identify and develop the talent that is so important to sustained success,” Netball Victoria President Carol Cathcart said.
“Her appointment, for an initial two years with an additional year’s option, is not only a credit to Di, but also to the depth of talent and experience that we have at the Vixens and indeed across Victorian netball.”
Fox Netball commentator and former Diamond Bianca Chatfield had tipped that McKinnis’ replacement would come from within the Netball Victoria pathway
Honey, who has worked as a specialist coach with the Australian Diamonds, is the former head coach of Super Netball development team Victorian Fury and development coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport.
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