Eight locations across Victoria have been selected to host the 2018 Association Championships Zone Qualifying Stages, to be held on 20 and 27 May.
This year sees a further extension of the popular annual competition, with an extra venue added, splitting the Central West Zone across two locations. This change is providing smaller associations with the opportunity to host the tournament and has been welcomed by the local netball community.
Also included in 2018 is a new division – 17/U All Abilities – with eligible teams from across the state to battle it out at the tournament hosted by Mountain District Netball Association.
Netball Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Rosie King, said it is exciting to see new locations and venues with upgraded facilities hosting the qualifying tournaments.
“This will be the first time Casey Netball Association has hosted an Association Championships qualifying stage, and having the event held at the newly redeveloped Casey Stadium is exciting. It will be wonderful to see lots of keen netballers utilising this great facility,” said King.
“The same in Ballarat and Bendigo, where both venues have had an upgrade to their outdoor courts. It’s great to be able to showcase these new courts and ensure the matches are played at quality facilities.”
The Association Championships are a major component of the Netball Victoria Talent Pathway, where upcoming netballers are recognised for the skills and potential. Talent Scouts attend each tournament date, inviting selected players to attend Zone Academy screening days.
The Association Championships sees association and league representative teams from across the state compete at their zone’s host venue. The various zone tournaments culminate in an Association Championships finals event at the State Netball Hockey Centre on 17 June.
Registrations for the 2018 Association Championships open on 26 February. For more details visit netballvic.com.au or follow Netball Victoria on social media.
2018 Association Championships locations and dates:
20 May 2018
- Central East (13/U) – Casey Netball Association
- Central West (15/U and 17/U) – Geelong Central Netball Association
- Eastern – Sale Netball Association
- Northern – AFL Central Vic (Bendigo)
27 May 2018
- Central East (15/U, 17/U, AA17/U) – Mountain District Netball Association
- Central West (13/U) – Diamond Creek Force Netball Association
- North East – Wangaratta Netball Association
- Western – Ballarat Netball Association
