OUTGOING Melbourne Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg will "hide out in a vegie garden" in the state's north after announcing her retirement last week.

Hoornweg has not sought reappointment for next year's ANZ Championship campaign, despite coaching the Vixens to a flag and two grand finals during her five-year tenure.

Hoornweg, whose netball career spans almost 40 years, has elected to step away from the elite game to spend more time with her family.

She will move back to a goat farm near Violet Town, which she runs with her husband. "Of course it is (difficult). I've invested a lot of time, effort and emotion, like a lot of people have into this club," she said.

"But you need a lot of energy. I just feel that perhaps I don't have that same energy that I did a couple of years ago.

"It's time to give someone else a chance."

Hoornweg revealed she was "fairly clear" some time ago that this year would be her last.

"In my life at this point I need to spend some time with my family and get a balance," she said.

She did not rule out a return to elite netball in the future, but confirmed she would not be a part of the hunt for a new coach.

Hoornweg nominated assistants, Eloise Southby-Halbish and Simone McKinnis, as worthy successors.

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Hoornweg calls time on coaching career