Junior clinics and umpiring workshops among elite netball offerings in regional Victoria

A three-year investment from the Victorian Government's Significant Sporting Events Program will see Netball Victoria and the Melbourne Vixens expand their regional pre-season event schedule.

The Victorian Government and Netball Victoria announced that with the program's support, for the next three years Netball Victoria will host three annual pre-season events in regions including Ballarat, Bendigo and Traralgon.

Each event will differ in scope and content, giving fans the opportunity to attend elite netball activity­ including exhibition matches and open training sessions - and showcases of exciting pathway and pre­ elite talent across Victorian, interstate and international programs.

As part of the roadshow there will be 15 matches, training sessions and community activities, junior clinics, and coaching and umpire workshops for locals.

Following the success of the two-day Ballarat Blitz in March this year, Netball Victoria will now bring Super Netball to Ballarat, Bendigo and Traralgon in 2025, 2026 and 2027 – giving local netball fans the opportunity to see their heroes in their own town.

The Ballarat Blitz saw four exciting pre-season matches played at Selkirk Stadium, with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, GIANTS Netball and West Coast Fever all travelling to Ballarat for the competition against the Melbourne Vixens. A men’s league exhibition match was also part of the Blitz.

The regional matches have been made possible by the Significant Sporting Events Program (SSEP), which has supported more than 1,000 sporting events of all shapes and sizes across the state, with more than half of all SSEP events being held in regional Victoria.

Further details, including the schedule and ticketing information, will be announced in the coming months.

Netball Victoria Chief Executive Andrea Pearman enthused “we’re thrilled to continue working with the Victorian Government to deliver exciting netball events in regional Victoria each year, and this investment will enable us to expand our offering.

"This significant investment reflects the strong position of our sport right across the country- netball is thriving, participation numbers keep growing, and with around half of our participants based in regional Victoria, we know there's appetite in these areas for more netball events.

"In 2024 we have broken our all-time member record, with over 117,000 Victorians participating in our sport-from players to coaches, umpires and administrators.

"Pleasingly that passion extends to the elite game, with our Melbourne Vixens also breaking all-time membership and attendance records in season 2024, and we're driven to keep innovating and meeting that demand with a range of grassroots and elite events.

"We're proud to be leading the way with our annual events schedule, shining a light on our world-class pathway talent and bringing the best netballers in the world to communities in regional Victoria."

City of Ballarat Mayor Tracey Hargreaves added "following the success of the first Ballarat Blitz earlier this year, the City of Ballarat is thrilled to have worked with Netball Victoria and the Victorian Government to bring the event back in 2025.

"We look forward once again to showcasing some elite netball action and also providing an opportunity for our community to come together to enjoy a range of exciting community events hosted by the Melbourne Vixens.

"It's another fantastic opportunity for us to welcome many visitors to Ballarat to soak up the vibrant atmosphere that our city has to offer."

Image (back row from left): Netball Victoria President Carol Cathcart, City of Ballarat Councillor Jay Morrison, Melbourne Vixen's Jo Weston, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Melbourne Vixen's Kate Moloney with juniors from the Ballarat Netball Association.Credit: Netball Victoria