Significant Sporting Events Program bringing super netball to the regions
Published: 13 December 2024In partnership with Netball Victoria, the Victorian Government is bringing elite Super Netball events to Ballarat, Bendigo and Traralgon over the next 3 years.
Netball Victoria’s growing presence in regional Victoria will receive a massive boost from next year with an expanded regional pre-season schedule in 2025, 2026 and 2027 thanks to the Victorian Government’s Significant Sporting Events Program.
Following the success of the two-day Ballarat Blitz event in March this year, Netball Victoria will now bring Super Netball content to 3 regional centres each year, showcasing elite and pathway netball talent to passionate local sporting fans in Ballarat, Bendigo and Traralgon.
Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman said she’s excited by the agreement and what the events will do for the sport in regional Victoria.
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.
Andrea Pearman – Netball Victoria CEO
Melbourne Vixens and Australia Diamonds superstars Kate Moloney and Jo Weston visited Selkirk Stadium in Ballarat to help make the announcement of the expanded pre-season program.
Kate, who is the current Vixens captain, said it’s an exciting part of their pre-season build up towards the Super Netball season to visit regional Victoria.
‘As a Melbourne Vixens team, it’s a huge part of our preparation, to be able to go to regional areas like Ballarat, areas that absolutely love their netball.
‘To try and inspire more young people to play sport is really important to us, hopefully we can put on a good show.’
The Ballarat Blitz saw 5 exciting pre-season matches played at Selkirk Stadium with the home state Vixens welcoming the Adelaide Thunderbirds, GIANTS Netball and West Coast Fever, alongside a men’s league exhibition match.
All 3 events will have their own unique flavours, giving fans the opportunity to attend elite netball activity – including exhibition matches and open training sessions – and showcasing exciting junior netball pathways across regional Victoria and beyond.
The partnership will also see community activities delivered in each region, including junior clinics, fan engagement and coaching and umpire workshops.
The expanded pre-season schedule has been made possible by the increased backing through the Significant Sporting Events Program, which has been boosted by a funding uplift.
The uplift ensures the program will bring more elite sport to cities and towns throughout regional Victoria.
The Significant Sporting Events Program is open for 6 funding rounds per year and has supported sporting events of all shapes and sizes, bringing elite sport to all corners of the state, with more than half of all Significant Sporting Events Program events being held in regional Victoria.
Further details, including 2025 event schedules and ticketing information, will be announced in the coming months.
For more information, see our Significant Sporting Events Program page.