The former Edenhope-Apsley star has been named as one of the team's five training partners after a stellar year that saw her win the Australian Netball League with the Victorian Fury.

McDonald will be joined in the Vixens environment by Horsham Saints' Maggie Caris.

Caris was named a member of the inaugural Vixens' Academy.

The nine-strong academy will join the Vixens' core squad and training partners in both physical conditioning and on-court training.

The Academy's training will be overseen by Vixens head coach Simone McKinnis and assistant Sharelle McMahon.

The Vixens' announcement capped off a momentous week for the pair, who only a day earlier were named in Australia's initial squad for the 2021 Netball World Youth Cup.

The pair are also members of the Fury's 2020 squad.