Netball Victoria has released the opening rounds of the 2021 Victorian Netball League (VNL) fixture, Victoria’s premier netball competition, with the first whistle blown on Wednesday, 21 April.
Victoria’s state home of netball, the State Netball and Hockey Centre will host most matches across the 21 week season, with all clubs hosting home games at local stadiums throughout the year including Oakleigh Recreation Centre and Casey Stadium in Round 1.
As an integral part of the Netball Victoria high performance pathway, all eyes will be on the Victorian Netball League which will continue to provide great exposure for athletes coming through the system.
With the Australian Netball League being replaced by the Australian Netball Championships (a two week competition held at the end of the year), the VNL will feature some Suncorp Super Netball and Victorian Fury athletes each week, stepping up the already high standard of netball.
Netball Victoria General Manager – Vixens, Performance and Pathways, Rebekah Webster is looking forward to opportunities that VNL will bring this year.
“The Victorian Netball League has always been an important step in Netball Victoria’s pathway, and continues to be the state’s premier netball league providing opportunities for athletes as a stepping stone towards Suncorp Super Netball,” said Webster.
“As the 2020 season was cancelled, the 2021 competition will be vital to continue building our Victorian coach, umpire and athlete talent pools. We are so grateful to our 10 clubs’ administration and athletes who have continued to plug away and work hard in the background during very tough circumstances. They're really raring and ready to hit the court in 2021 - I don't think I've ever looked forward to a season more!"
“With this year’s introduction of the Australian Netball Championships, replacing the Australian Netball League, the VNL will feature our up-and-coming athletes more regularly as well as support SSN Training Partners, and at times, SSN athletes to get valuable court time with their clubs.
“We're anticipating a strong, fierce and competitive season out on court this year, which will no doubt support our goal to see more Victorians represented in national programs.”
The current fixture is available here with the final rounds released in the coming months, depending on government restrictions.
