Vanessa studied at St Matthew's College in Masterton. In 2023 Vanessa was selected for the Capital Football U18 youth national football league and the Wairarapa Women’s Division 1 football team. In the same year she was selected for the national U18 development squad. She also plays age group Central District Cricket and representative Hockey.

While representing St Matthews for cricket in 2023 they took out the national secondary schools title. In 2024 Vanessa played football for the Wellington United Diamonds and cricket for the Central Districts U19 team and scored her first century. In January 2025 she was called up for the Central Hinds after being the top run scorer in NZ Cricket U19 nationals.