Vanessa Monteiro brings warmth, determination and a lifelong love of sport to her role as Head Coach of the Palmridge Bay Foxettes. A proud netball player, dedicated fitness coach and mother, she helps athletes build the strength, skills and self-belief to perform with confidence.
With her long, flowing brown hair, brown eyes and welcoming smile, Vanessa is a familiar presence at Copperflare Stadium. Her athletes know her for the encouragement she offers, the attention she gives each person and the standards she helps them reach.
The daughter of two Portuguese immigrants, Vanessa grew up with a strong appreciation for family, community and the opportunities created through hard work. Her parents encouraged her to take pride in her heritage while finding her own path.
Those values shape her coaching today. She wants every athlete to feel that they belong, that their contribution matters and that someone believes in their potential.
For Vanessa, the Foxettes’ Portuguese heart is personal. It lives in the welcome she gives new squad members and the pride she takes in seeing people achieve something together.
Netball has long been Vanessa’s sporting passion. She loves its pace, tactical thinking and reliance on teammates who communicate and trust one another.
Her time on court developed her agility, coordination and understanding of how individual fitness supports a team’s performance. It also taught her to stay focused under pressure, respond to changing situations and keep encouraging those around her.
She remains a proud netball player, carrying that enthusiasm into the training sessions she leads.
Vanessa’s interest in fitness grew from wanting to understand how athletes could move better, feel stronger and sustain their performance. Over time, she developed and honed her skills through her own training, continued learning and practical coaching experience.
Her approach brings together strength, cardiovascular endurance, mobility, balance and coordination. Each has a purpose within cheerleading: the stamina to maintain energy through a routine, the strength to support controlled movements and the coordination to perform precisely alongside others.
She also values recovery and steady progression. Vanessa encourages athletes to recognise
