A local sporting star has made the jump to the elite level.
Author: Ben Andonoudis | Photo: Elisa Caldwell (Newtown & Chilwell FNC)
From the courts of Elderslie Reserve to the Super Netball stage, Ruby Pekin-Schlicht’s dream has become reality.
The Newtown & Chilwell defender stepped onto court alongside some of Australian Netball’s biggest names when she made her Melbourne Vixens debut in round 10 against the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
The talented youngster held her own on the court as she became just the 69th player to play for the Vixens.
For Newtown & Chilwell head coach Jason Woolley, Ruby’s debut was particularly rewarding.
“She's worked towards it for a long time and I’m really proud of her having been able to see her put a lot of work and time into it,” Woolley said.
Woolley is very well placed to comment on Pekin-Schlicht’s journey having spent over a decade with her at Newtown & Chilwell.
Woolley first met Pekin-Schlicht following her move from Camperdown in the state’s south-west.
According to Woolley, she still had plenty of development ahead of her, but the signs were obvious.
“She came in as a sort of very gangly, skinny kid who was still growing into her body, but she always had a level of natural ability,” Woolley said.
That has certainly shone through as Pekin-Schlicht has gone on to become a mainstay of the Newtown & Chilwell defence in her time at the club.
Her defensive attributes were obvious to her coach as she moved up the ranks.
“She just always seemed to naturally have that defensive ability,” Woolley said.
Ruby’s performances on the netball court have caught the eye of many.
Her 2025 season saw her cement her status as one of the competition’s premier defenders as she claimed both the Julia Woolley Medal (GFNL A-grade best and fairest) and the Newtown & Chilwell A-grade best and fairest in just 15 games.
For Woolley, the awards were a just reward for her outstanding season.
“It was great to see her get that recognition,” Woolley said.
Pekin-Schlicht’s success hasn’t just been confined to netball.
She has also impressed in the world of athletics, earning a United States college scholarship in track and field.
While her talent has opened doors, having as busy a schedule as Ruby does has required plenty of support from those around her.
Newtown & Chilwell have always been committed to supporting her ambitions, even when they extended beyond netball.
“We've always tried to help her manage through all those competing priorities,” Woolley said.
While Newtown & Chilwell provided a lot of support, Pekin-Schlicht’s parents played a crucial role.
“Her parents are fantastic at helping keep her coordinated and even when she was young making sure she was where she needed to be,” Woolley said.
With her success over the years, you could be forgiven for thinking that Pekin-Schlicht may not return to Newtown & Chilwell soon.
However, Pekin-Schlicht’s connection to home remains as strong as ever.
“We fully expect that she'll be back into the Newtown kit later this year,” Woolley said.
Her dedication to Newtown & Chilwell is proof that not all stars lose touch with where they came from.
No matter where she goes from here, for Pekin-Schlicht home remains exactly where it started: Elderslie Reserve.